BOSTON — Alysa Liu skated around the ice in disbelief, her golden dress shimmering under the bright lights of TD Garden, as a deafening roar from the sellout crowd filled the arena. She paused, soaking in the moment—one she had doubted would ever come again after stepping away from competitive figure skating nearly two years ago.

When the scoreboard finally displayed her historic score, the 19-year-old from Clovis, California, had made her mark in skating history.

On Friday night, Liu became the first American woman to claim the figure skating world championship title in nearly two decades, ending a long drought since Kimmie Meissner’s victory in 2006. Her dazzling free skate, set to a dynamic rendition of “MacArthur Park” by Boston native Donna Summer, captivated both judges and spectators alike, earning her a total of 222.97 points.

“I mean, it means so much to me and everything I’ve been through,” Liu reflected emotionally after her performance. “My last skating experience, my time away and this time around—I’m so happy. I guess I’m mostly glad I could deliver two of my best performances.”

Immediately after her results were announced, Liu’s coaches, Phillip DiGuglielmo and Massimo Scali, enveloped her in an emotional hug at the rink’s kiss-and-cry area. Moments later, Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, the reigning three-time champion and Liu’s strongest competitor, approached Liu with warmth and genuine admiration, symbolically passing the torch to the new American champion.

“What the hell?” Liu exclaimed, clearly stunned by her achievement. “I don’t know how to process this yet.”

Sakamoto earned the silver medal with 217.98 points, gracious in defeat after her stellar run at the top. Japanese teammate Mone Chiba rounded out the podium, capturing bronze with a score of 215.24. Americans Isabeau Levito and Amber Glenn further showcased Team USA’s resurgence, placing fourth and fifth, respectively.

“We are all so strong and are such fighters,” Levito noted proudly after the competition. “We all have our strengths, and though we’re so different, we support each other wholeheartedly. I’m proud to stand alongside these incredible athletes.”

Liu’s journey to this triumphant return wasn’t smooth or predictable. She burst onto the figure skating scene as the youngest-ever U.S. national champion at just 13, successfully defending her title the following year. Her meteoric rise continued with a sixth-place finish at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and a bronze medal at the world championships that year.

However, Liu shocked the skating community shortly thereafter when she announced her retirement from the sport, citing burnout and the desire for a normal college experience. For a time, she seemed content away from the pressures of competition.

But fate had different plans. A seemingly casual ski trip rekindled her passion for competition, reigniting her competitive fire. The joy and thrill of competing—even recreationally—were too compelling to ignore. By early 2024, Liu hinted at her comeback through cryptic social media posts, sparking excitement and speculation among fans.

Returning to competitive skating after nearly two years away posed significant challenges. The sport had evolved, and Liu had to reclaim her place among younger, emerging talents. Her initial comeback competition saw a promising second-place finish at the U.S. Championships, narrowly edged out by teammate Amber Glenn.

Still, Liu approached the world championships in Boston without heavy expectations, focusing purely on performance. Her approach paid off spectacularly.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect this,” Liu confessed candidly. “Nowadays, I never enter competitions with expectations. My goal was simply to perform my best. Thankfully, I achieved that.”

Her victory not only thrilled the American fans but also deeply moved Kaori Sakamoto, who spoke warmly of Liu’s return.

“She stepped away and now she’s back as a world champion,” Sakamoto noted with genuine respect. “Her positivity and kindness never changed. Her personality has carried her to the top step of the podium.”

Earlier that evening, ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates energized the crowd with their rhythmic dance performance. Scoring a season-best 90.18 points, the American duo positioned themselves solidly ahead of their Canadian rivals, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, who scored 86.44 points. Chock and Bates impressed with a creative program blending multiple dance styles from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, aligned with the International Skating Union’s theme for this season.

The packed audience at TD Garden erupted enthusiastically for each impressive skate, and the excitement only intensified with Liu’s history-making performance.

As the event concluded, Liu’s gold medal represented far more than personal triumph—it marked a significant comeback story and a renewed era for American women’s figure skating. Her resilience, determination, and passion were evident, reminding fans and competitors alike of the sport’s true essence.

Alysa Liu’s remarkable return to figure skating not only crowned her world champion but solidified her legacy as an athlete defined not by setbacks but by her unwavering spirit and love for the ice.