Figure Skating-Liu delivers stunner to take gold at world championships

BOSTON :American Alysa Liu produced a sensational and joyous performance and struck gold at the World Figure Skating Championships in Boston on Friday in the sport's biggest event ahead of the 2026 Olympics.

Liu entered the contest in the lead thanks to her dazzling short program on Wednesday and followed it up with a stunning free skate that electrified the packed house at TD Garden.

The home crowd's eruptions built throughout the performance and reached deafening levels after she executed a flawless double Axel on her final jump.

She pointed skyward and beamed a big smile at the end of a routine that left no doubt the 19-year-old Californian would stand atop the podium for the first time.

The triumph caps a remarkable comeback for the amiable Liu, who retired early from competitive figure skating nearly three years ago after claiming bronze at the 2022 world championships.

"What the hell? That just keeps going through my mind over and over," Liu said after the win.

"I haven't process this yet. I haven't even processed my short program win yet. I don't know how I'm going to do this one," added Liu, who is the first American world champion since Kimmie Meissner in 2006.

Liu, who did a cartwheel as she went to collect her medal, finished with an overall score of 222.97 as three-time defending champion Kaori Sakamoto of Japan took silver and her compatriot Mone Chiba earned bronze.

Sakamoto showed great sportsmanship after Liu's performance, embracing her and handing her a tissue before exchanging words.

Asked what was said, Liu said she wanted to keep it private.

"It was along the lines of you really inspire me," she said. "I love watching her skating and her jumps, they are so good."

Olympic champions Kristi Yamaguchi, Brian