Alysa Liu Wins Womens National Title at Age 13

Alysa Liu, the 13-year-old figure skating phenom made history on Jan. 25, 2019 when she became the youngest senior lady figure skating champion at the national competition in Detroit. Liu defeated defending champion, Bradie Tennell.

Before Liu, Tara Lipinski held the record when she won nationals in 1997 at the age of 14. Lipinski went on to beat Michelle Kwan that year for the world title. Scott Allen was also 14 years old when he won the men’s title in 1964.

Lipinski now works with NBC as a commentator and was at the event when Liu broke her record. After the event, Lipinski said:

Records are meant to be broken. I think she’s the future of U.S. ladies’ figure skating.

Liu landed a triple axel on Thursday, Jan. 24, in the short program. Going into Friday’s competition, she was in second place behind Tennell.

Tennell stepped out of her first triple loop in a combination at the start of the program. She also fell while attempting to complete a triple lutz.

Skating to John William’s music from “The Witches of Eastwick,” Liu completed a triple axel in combination with a double loop; later in the performance, she perfectly landed a second triple axel.

Despite winning the national title, Liu will not be eligible to skate at the senior world championship in Saitama, Japan, in March. In order to attend the senior world championship, the skater must be 15 years old. Silver medalist Tennell and the bronze medalist, Mariah Bell, were selected to compete in Japan.

Liu scored 217.51 and finished first. Tennell scored 213.59 and finished in second place. Bell finished third with 70.30.

Standing only 4 feet 7 inches tall, she required help to join the winner’s podium. She was helped up by Tennell and Bell.

The Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, where the 2019 national figure skating championship was held, has a great deal of history. In 1994, Nancy Kerrigan was attacked at the arena. Twenty-Five years ago, 13-year-old Michelle Kwan placed second behind Tonya Harding. U.S. Figure Skating stripped Harding of the title after she pled guilty to blocking the investigation into the Kerrigan attack. She consequently was banned for life from U.S. Figure Skating. Despite this, the results of the championship were allowed to stand; Kwan missed her chance to make history as the youngest national champion to date.

Not only did Liu become the youngest women’s champion, but she also became the first American woman to successfully perform two triple axels during the long program at nationals. She also became the first American woman to land a triple axel during the short program.

In August 2018, Liu made history. When she was 12 years old, she was the youngest woman to complete a perfect triple axel in international competition. Under the age restriction, she will not be able to compete at worlds until 2022. Liu will be 16 years old and eligible to compete at the Winter Olympic Games in 2022. U.S. women have not won a medal in Olympic figure skating since 2006.

Written by Barbara Sobel

Sources:

Deadspin: 13-Year-Old Alysa Liu Becomes Youngest U.S. Senior Ladies Figure Skating National Champion
ESPN: Alysa Liu, 13, youngest to win U.S. women’s figure skating title
CBS News: Alysa Liu, 13, becomes youngest ever U.S. national figure skating champion

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