Figure Skater Alysa Liu's Comeback: A New Chapter in the Making
In a shocking turn of events, figure skater Alysa Liu has made an improbable comeback to the sport she thought she was done with. The 20-year-old American skater won the World Championship just two years after announcing her retirement from competitive skating at the age of 16.
Liu's decision to return to the sport is a testament to her newfound independence and desire for creative control. Gone are the days of being pushed by coaches and choreographers; Liu now takes an active role in shaping her programs and artistic expression. "I get to pick my own program music, I get to help with the creative process," she explained. "If I feel like I'm skating too much, I'll back down. If I feel like I'm not skating enough, I'll ramp it up. No one's gonna starve me or tell me what I can and can't eat."
Liu's journey began at a young age, with her father Arthur, a single dad to five kids born via surrogacy, being her driving force behind the sport. He estimates spending over half a million dollars to help his daughter become the skater she is today. Liu's remarkable talent and dedication earned her multiple national titles, including back-to-back championships at 13 and 14.
However, Liu shocked fans by announcing her retirement in 2020, citing exhaustion and a desire for a break from the sport. She took time off to trek to Everest Base Camp and enjoy life with friends, stating she had "never been happier" before returning to skating.
This time around, Liu has taken charge of her comeback, working with coaches Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali, who have noticed a significant improvement in her skills. "There was something different about the way she moved her body that was no longer a child," DiGuglielmo observed.
As Liu prepares for the Olympics, where many predict she'll take home gold, she views herself as an artist rather than an athlete. "I view competitions more as, like, a stage for performing," she said. With Liu's newfound independence and confidence, it will be exciting to see how this talented skater unfolds in the coming months.
In a shocking turn of events, figure skater Alysa Liu has made an improbable comeback to the sport she thought she was done with. The 20-year-old American skater won the World Championship just two years after announcing her retirement from competitive skating at the age of 16.
Liu's decision to return to the sport is a testament to her newfound independence and desire for creative control. Gone are the days of being pushed by coaches and choreographers; Liu now takes an active role in shaping her programs and artistic expression. "I get to pick my own program music, I get to help with the creative process," she explained. "If I feel like I'm skating too much, I'll back down. If I feel like I'm not skating enough, I'll ramp it up. No one's gonna starve me or tell me what I can and can't eat."
Liu's journey began at a young age, with her father Arthur, a single dad to five kids born via surrogacy, being her driving force behind the sport. He estimates spending over half a million dollars to help his daughter become the skater she is today. Liu's remarkable talent and dedication earned her multiple national titles, including back-to-back championships at 13 and 14.
However, Liu shocked fans by announcing her retirement in 2020, citing exhaustion and a desire for a break from the sport. She took time off to trek to Everest Base Camp and enjoy life with friends, stating she had "never been happier" before returning to skating.
This time around, Liu has taken charge of her comeback, working with coaches Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali, who have noticed a significant improvement in her skills. "There was something different about the way she moved her body that was no longer a child," DiGuglielmo observed.
As Liu prepares for the Olympics, where many predict she'll take home gold, she views herself as an artist rather than an athlete. "I view competitions more as, like, a stage for performing," she said. With Liu's newfound independence and confidence, it will be exciting to see how this talented skater unfolds in the coming months.