As of today, 19 February 2026, American figure skating sensation Alysa Liu is 20 years old. Born on 8 August 2005, in Clovis, California, Liu has reached the pinnacle of her sport on the global stage this week in Italy.
Her age has been a central theme of her narrative at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where she has completed one of the most remarkable comebacks in figure skating history. After retiring from the sport in 2022 at the age of 16—citing a desire to lead a “normal life” following her Olympic debut in Beijing—Liu returned to competitive skating in 2024 on her own terms.
Key Milestones in Alysa Liu’s Career
| Age | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 13 | Became the youngest U.S. women’s national champion in history (2019). |
| 16 | Competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics and won World Championship bronze before announcing her retirement. |
| 18 | Announced her return to professional skating (March 2024). |
| 19 | Won the 2025 World Championship gold medal. |
| 20 | Won the Olympic Gold Medal at the 2026 Winter Games (19 February 2026). |
Liu’s victory today in Milan makes her the first American woman to win the Olympic individual figure skating title in 24 years, since Sarah Hughes in 2002. Now competing as a 20-year-old, Liu has been praised by commentators for her “alternative” style, including her signature striped hair and personal expression, which she credits to her decision to return to the ice with a more mature and independent perspective.
Raised in Richmond, California, by her father Arthur Liu, Alysa remains a trailblazer for the sport, proving that success can be found both as a teenage prodigy and as a seasoned athlete returning to the rink on her own schedule.