Alysa Liu leads Team USA to World Team Trophy victory in Tokyo

Skating sensation Alysa Liu delivers another standout performance as the U.S. captures the World Team Trophy title.

Alysa Liu of the United States competes in the women's free skating event during the ISU World Team Trophy at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on April 19, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Alysa Liu leads Team USA to World Team Trophy victory in Tokyo, capping a remarkable return to the spotlight after stepping away from competitive figure skating in 2022. Her stellar free skate performance on Saturday, scoring a season-best 150.97, helped secure a dominant win for the United States in the six-team finale of the season.

This victory comes just weeks after Liu captured her first individual world title in Boston. At 19, she’s skating not only with technical brilliance but also with a renewed sense of purpose and passion. “I’m really grateful and I’m honored that people like my skating this much,” Liu told reporters in Tokyo. “It really just makes me want to work so much harder because I feel like I can put out much better.”

A triumphant return for Alysa Liu

When Alysa Liu stepped away from figure skating at the age of 16, many assumed her story had reached its final chapter. But her comeback has redefined that narrative entirely. Her 2025 season has been nothing short of extraordinary. From claiming gold at the World Championships in Boston to leading her team in Tokyo, Liu has shown growth not just as an athlete but as a symbol of resilience in the sport.

Her victory in the women’s free skate—scoring 150.97—edged out her American teammate Amber Glenn, who also had a strong showing with 148.93. Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto, a crowd favorite on home ice, finished third with 145.00.

In addition to her free skate win, Liu had already topped the women’s short program earlier in the week. Her consistent dominance made her a key figure in Team USA’s overall win.

The 2025 World Team Trophy in Tokyo wasn't just about individual performances. Team USA’s collective spirit was on full display. The event brought together skaters from six nations, and the Americans stood out not only in terms of technical scores but also in camaraderie and resilience.

US men’s world champion Ilia Malinin delivered a near-flawless performance, and ice dance duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates continued their golden season following their World Championship triumph in Boston. The team’s captain, Jason Brown, spoke to the unity that held the group together during a year marked by both achievement and sorrow.

“For us, the motto of this week, and it has become the motto of the season, is: ‘stronger together,’” Brown said. “Through good and bad we are able to lean on each other and this event gives us that opportunity to come together as a team and support one another.”

His words echoed the deeper emotional backdrop of the season. In January, a tragic plane crash in Washington claimed 67 lives—28 of them members of the skating community. The loss left an undeniable mark on the sport. This week in Tokyo, the victory carried the weight of that grief while showcasing the strength that arose from it.

While the Americans dominated the standings, host nation Japan finished a solid second overall. The Japanese team was led by world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, who dazzled the home crowd in the pairs free skate. Their routine earned them a winning score of 145.06, further cementing their status as one of the world’s premier pairs.

Italy rounded out the podium in third, bolstered by Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii’s second-place finish in the pairs with a score of 142.26. Georgia’s Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava placed third in the pairs event with 139.96.

Despite fierce competition, the camaraderie among teams was evident. Skaters exchanged smiles and cheers from the sidelines, a refreshing reminder that even in a high-stakes arena, the sport’s soul lies in mutual respect and shared passion.

A season that defined the future of American figure skating

Alysa Liu’s performance in Tokyo wasn’t just the final note in a remarkable season—it was a statement. Her growth as an athlete, her ability to come back stronger after a break, and her poise under pressure have transformed her into a role model for aspiring skaters.

This season also marked a shift in the American team’s identity. With veterans like Madison Chock and Evan Bates leading by example, and rising stars like Malinin and Glenn stepping into the spotlight, Team USA appears well-prepared for the future.

Liu’s journey resonates far beyond the rink. It’s a story of rediscovery, of finding joy again in something that once felt too heavy. “It’s been a crazy year,” she admitted. “But this season reminded me why I loved skating in the first place.”

With her triumphant return, Alysa Liu has not only led Team USA to the top of the podium but also revived excitement around the future of American figure skating. The World Team Trophy in Tokyo served as the perfect stage for her to showcase her evolution—and the world took notice.

As the 2025 season comes to a close, fans will remember it for its highs and lows, for its performances and its pain, but most of all for the resilience displayed by the skating community. Alysa Liu’s name is once again etched at the heart of that story—a skater who walked away and came back to conquer.