Alysa Liu, the 21-year-old Olympic figure skating champion, has announced she will take a break from competition for the 2026-27 season. The hiatus aims to allow the skater to refine her technique and enhance her artistry, with Liu stating a desire for her sport to reflect her personal growth.
Liu, who became the first American woman since 2002 to win Olympic gold in women's singles at the Milano Cortina Games in February, where she also contributed to the United States' team gold, confirmed her decision via social media. She will miss the World Championships scheduled for March in Finland.
In an Instagram post, Liu explained her decision, writing, "I always want to challenge myself in new ways, so my artistry & skating can evolve. It's important to me that my sport reflects my personal growth." She added, "I'm gonna take the time to recalibrate, fine-tune things & whatnot. So fear not, I'll be back, & in the meantime I'll be rooting for my teammates near & far."
Speaking with NBC, Liu elaborated on the timing of her break, stating, "Logically and emotionally and physically, this just makes the most sense." She acknowledged missing international competitors but expressed confidence that future opportunities would arise.
This is not the first time Liu has stepped away from the sport. A former prodigy, she became the youngest U.S. champion in 2019 at age 13. She initially retired in 2022 at 16, only to make a successful comeback in the same year, earning a world title before her Olympic achievements.