Oakland's Alysa Liu Wins Olympic Gold at 20 After Comeback

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Oakland native Alysa Liu, now 20 years old, won the gold medal in figure skating at the Winter Olympics, capping off a remarkable comeback after retiring from the sport following the 2022 Beijing Games. Liu, who first gained attention as a 13-year-old prodigy, wowed judges with her stunning routine to capture the United States' first individual gold medal in figure skating since 2002.

Why it matters

Liu's gold medal win is a feel-good story of perseverance and determination, as the young skater overcame a disappointing 8th place finish in the 2022 Olympics to return to the sport and achieve her ultimate goal. Her success also highlights the continued strength of figure skating in the Bay Area, which has produced several top-tier talents in recent years.

The details

Liu, who hails from Oakland, California, first burst onto the national scene as a 13-year-old in 2019 when she became the youngest ever U.S. women's figure skating champion. She followed that up with a bronze medal at the 2020 World Championships before qualifying for the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, where she finished 8th in the short program. After that setback, Liu decided to take a break from the sport, but returned in 2024 and has now capped off her comeback with an Olympic gold medal.

• Liu won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in February.
• She first gained attention as a 13-year-old prodigy in 2019.
• Liu finished 8th in the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.
• She decided to return to skating in 2024 and has now won gold.