Alysa Liu Leads World Championships, Seeks First U.S. Title in 19 Years

BOSTON, Massachusetts — Alysa Liu leads the World Figure Skating Championships after the short program, aiming to become the first American woman to win a world title in 19 years. Competing at TD Garden, the 19-year-old skater achieved a personal best of 74.58 points on Wednesday, eclipsing Japan’s Mone Chiba by 1.14 points ahead of Friday’s free skate.

Liu, who retired at 16 and returned to the ice in 2024, opened her short program with a clean triple flip-triple toe loop combination, followed by a double Axel and a triple Lutz. “I just closed my eyes and trusted them along the ride, and here we are,” Liu said, expressing her belief that her coaching team foresaw her successful return.

The last time an American woman triumphed at the World Championships was Kimmie Meissner in 2006. The same year, the U.S. last secured two medals in the women’s event, when Sasha Cohen took home bronze.

Isabeau Levito, who is returning from a right foot injury, ranks third after scoring 73.33 points in the short program. Despite being sidelined for three months, Levito put forth her best short program of the season. “I felt like no one was really looking to see me take over the podium or something here,” she commented on her return. “But I had a pressure in my mind of just making my federation proud.”

Kaori Sakamoto, the three-time reigning world champion from Japan, fell to fifth place after a double-triple jump combination. She now faces the challenge of fighting back to reclaim her title. “To miss the first element is very hard, but I mentally fought through it,” said American Amber Glenn, the top skater of the season, who currently stands ninth after a fall on her trademark triple Axel.

In the pairs competition, Japan’s Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara took the lead with 76.57 points, followed closely by Italy’s Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii with 74.61 points, entering Thursday night’s free skate. The current champions, Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps from Canada, are positioned seventh.

The results from the short program indicate a competitive atmosphere as attractively staged events blitz through Boston. Athletes not only aim for medals but also seek Olympic qualifications for the 2026 Games—24 spots in men’s and women’s singles events, 16 in pairs, and 19 in ice dance are still available.

The competitions will continue on Thursday with the men’s short program scheduled for 11:05 a.m. ET, and will be broadcasted on Peacock and USA Network.