Alysa Liu has retired from professional skating, the 16-year-old announced Saturday via Instagram.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by alysa (@alysaxliu)
A post shared by alysa (@alysaxliu)
“I started skating when I was 5 so that’s been about 11 years on the ice, and it’s been an insane 11 years,” she wrote. “I honestly never thought I would’ve accomplished as much as I did.
“I feel so satisfied with how my skating career has gone. Now that I’m finally done with my goals in skating, I’m going to be moving on with my life.”
Liu was the highest-placing American finisher at the Beijing Olympics in February, placing seventh in the individual program. She won bronze at the world championships in March, capturing the first women’s world medal for a U.S. skater in six years.
Her father confirmed her retirement.
At just 16 years old, Liu made headlines in 2019 when she broke Tara Lipinski’s record as the youngest U.S. champion at age 13. She also became the youngest woman to land a triple axel internationally (at 13) and the first U.S. woman to land a quadruple jump in competition (age 14).
In her post, Liu said that she’ll probably spend her spare time with family and friends but also study.
“This skating thing has taught me a lot more about life than I anticipated,” she continued. “I’m really glad I skated.”