Alysa Liu never expected to win the world championships. After all, the 19-year-old figure skater retired from the sport three years ago, only returning to training again a year ago and international competition six months ago.

Alysa Liu, who walked away from figure skating at age 16 and returned last year, won the 2025 world championship on Friday.

After the Americans' showing Friday, for the first time since 2002, when Michelle Kwan was reigning world champ, an American woman will be favored going into the Olympic Games.