Irina Baraksanova (URS) - Worlds 1985 - Team Competition - Floor Exercise

[@Boban1611]

At the end the commentator says: "Smile child.... smile. The competition is over." Too bad she was never given the opportunity to shine. One of the most underrated gymnasts in the history of that sport.

[@thesovgc]

Абсолютно! 🙌🏼

[@thesovgc]

The sheer artistry of this floor exercise is a joy to behold. This music, My Sweet and Tender Beast, is one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever heard, and somehow she actually lived up to it 🙏🏼. Baraksanova has to be one of the most underrated Soviets 😢.

[@AshleighFrith]

Sublime. One of the greatest floors of ALL time. Compare to todays acrobats....Great hulks that can't dance & don't do any dance.

[@Boban1611]

I loved the way she moved. But she also had some difficult tumbling... The music is so haunting - I can't explain it, but I support your point of view 100 %.

[@healthandwealthdiva]

Hulk is a bit harsh yeah?

[@syrilwayne]

This is a bit personal but I noticed that she doesn't seem to hug her teammates as if she was not very fond of them at all.

[@Boban1611]

You can see her at kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2qoiJyEgcengpY from 1:40 onwards smiling and hugging her team mates, after Elena Shoushounova finished the last routine for the USSR and it was clear, that the team won the Gold Medal. The commentator says at the end of her (Irina Baraksanova) routine: "Smile child, smile. The competition is over."

[@MrMartinportnoy]

There's a photo of the Soviet team on the medal podium, she's standing next to Omelianchik, looking and smiling at her... it's the only photo I remember of her smiling