Alisa Liu Triumphs at Grand Prix Final Ahead of Olympic Comeback
Alisa Liu, a rising star in U.S. figure skating, clinched gold at the Grand Prix Final in Japan on Saturday, marking her second international medal in 2025 as she prepares for the Olympics in February.
She edged out Japan’s Ami Nakai by just under two points to secure the top position. “I feel confident about my performance, particularly in terms of stamina and consistency,” Liu remarked. “A lot can shift before the Olympics, though. There’s nationals coming up, and everyone’s aiming high. I’ll just keep working hard.”
Liu’s return to competitive skating came after a brief retirement following her debut at the 2022 Olympics. She once made headlines as the youngest U.S. champion ever, winning at just 13 years old in 2019 and defending her title the following year.
During the Beijing Winter Games, Liu faced heightened scrutiny due to a federal investigation involving her and her father linked to Chinese espionage. Her father had been a target due to his activism during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Reflecting on that period, Liu expressed, “Discovering that at such a young age was surreal. It felt almost like a bizarre joke or something. But it clicked for me because of my dad’s activism.”
Liu continued to compete at the Winter Olympics, albeit under increased security, always having at least two companions with her. She concluded her Olympic journey by finishing sixth in the women’s singles and helping the team snag a bronze medal.
After her sixth-place finish, she briefly retired, feeling disconnected from the sport. But a ski trip reignited her competitive spirit after she observed the landscape had changed. It wasn’t the same intense atmosphere anymore; now, it felt like the stakes were much lower.
Last year, she announced her comeback on social media, indicating a desire to return despite the challenges. After a tough return, she placed second at the U.S. National Championships. In early 2024, Liu emerged victorious at the World Figure Skating Championships, defeating Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto. She became the first American woman to achieve this since Kimmy Meisner back in 2006.
Now, she’s setting her sights on the Milan-Cortina Olympics, embodying one of Team USA’s most compelling narratives.
Liu even entertains the idea of her story being adapted into a movie someday. While that concept is exciting, she has specific thoughts on how she’d like to be portrayed. “If they do make a film, I want to be seen as a cool hero, not just the kid who was spied on. Honestly, my dad’s story is really fascinating too, so I think it should start there.”
