Alysa Liu becomes first American woman in 19 years to win figure skating world title

Ana Maria Rus

CNN  —  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. But on Friday, almost three years after retiring from the sport, Liu became the first American woman for 19 years to win a figure skating world title. “Even yesterday I didn’t expect this,” she told reporters afterwards, referencing her lead after Wednesday’s