Michelle Kwan 2004 Nationals Long Program - "Tosca"

This is Michelle Kwan's performance of "Tosca" at the 2004 US Figure Skating Championships.

[@JerseyLoveee]

There hasn't been anyone like her since. This is the kind of figure skating I fell in love with as a kid. The sport greatly misses her, esp in the US.

[@nancyhilliard1634]

JerseyLoveee true🌹

[@jrewing2383]

Jerseylove, she, s the undisputed queen, the true monarch, the empress of the world of ice. Nobody comes even close.

[@naimaboukhouf7357]

The best skating female

[@mariahfan444]

No skater, before or after her, has received ovations for the last 30 seconds of a program when she does the footwork sequence. It's perhaps the most dynamic portion of her programs because her heart just shines though.

[@johnseals1986]

Watch again, it was much closer to 45 seconds!!! From the moment she landed the finale Lutz to the very end! Absolutely stunning!

[@insaelliott1318]

No other figure skater makes me cry like she does. There is something about her skating that completely penetrates your heart

[@annecohen8927]

Agreed. This is one extremely memorable and outstanding performance beyond anything else. She blew away her competitors. Just imagine that! I can’t stop watching this epic performance.

[@je.suis.prisci]

Yessss!!!!

[@georgek6118]

🤍 M.K. Forever 🤍

[@loralenea6243]

I couldn't have said it better. She makes me cry also, such beauty,grace elegance and above all joy. Her spirit is contagious. She skates from her heart for the pure joy of skating, not the titles !

[@bombdottcom111]

The part where she runs is just...breathtaking. #passion

[@sarakimm]

I am so happy that I was in that audience. I will never forget it. The electricity was unbelievable. We were all standing for the last half of the routine. What an ovation and what a performance.

[@pennyparham4123]

Luck you.

[@bindi06]

I love how Michelle used her arms. She had the best arm positions throughout the entire program. Even today, skaters don't have pretty arms like she did.

[@gerpt17]

I'm still watching this in 2018. The current US ladies are beautiful, can spin in the air wonderfully, but I just don't see this level of musicality. Bravo, Michelle Kwan!

[@tonylee3622]

I had the pleasure of being in Phillips Arena on the night of this performance. She tore the place apart! Like many others here, I TRULY miss Michelle's skating. She made it look so easy that people began to take her for granted. Now I think they see just what an accomplishment and a talent she brought to the sport.

[@paulmcelroy81]

lucky you for being there!!!! I would have loved to see her live

[@theknitwit7098]

Tony Lee: I often thought that her amazing consistency may have hurt her at times, because it made her rare mistakes stand out more! Sasha skated beautifully, but she seemed always to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The difference was that we were amazed when Sasha skated back-to-back clean programs, but we were even more amazed when Michelle did not.

[@jrewing2383]

@@theknitwit7098 had Sasha actually skated that very rare clean back to back program?

[@theknitwit7098]

Jr Ewing: So that was the time, LOL! I was referring to her overall career, not this one instance.

[@tonylee3622]

@@theknitwit7098 I know exactly what you mean! I often think that because Michelle and Sasha both made it look so easy that people started to take for granted that it was, and that they should never make mistakes!

[@MishaStarlene]

i still watch this at least once a year, I will never get tired of watching this program

[@pauls.2427]

Forget watching this once a year, I watch it at least 5 times a day. Pure motivation....

[@mattcastg5170]

Harmisha Coomer still gives me goosebumps in that last segment of the program with from that last jump and the straight line step sequence to the final second.

[@diamond13130]

Here in 2020 watching it again! Love and miss her! A legend.

[@sandih29687]

Am also watching this in 2020...nobody compares to Kwan...

[@cloverred6239]

Me too

[@alphabetacanton]

She is the only skater in the whole wide world who has totally captured everybody's heart. She just takes you with her in everything she does.

[@Athompson6292]

The passion in her performance is just overwhelming. She was without a doubt one of the greatest talents we ever got to see and the sport misses her.

[@yellowgal06]

Most emotional skater i've ever seen on the ice. So passionate and brings tears to me eyes.

[@sincantations]

i don't think anyone can touch her. she is safely in the sphere of history as the greatest. this to me is the essence of skating.

[@harveychadbourne5180]

purplelilacs well said no one with ever grace us like she did. Greatest in history

[@ec5582]

She is the greatest ever

[@mamaccarlson5338]

Agree!

[@KingJasonSlots]

💯!

[@AxlKhan-v1f]

​@@ec5582BINGO 🎯.

[@SabrinaVoineaSStolenMedal]

In another month it will be twenty years and I still get chills

[@theprinceoftides6836]

This ain't a skating show, it's a Rock concert . That's when M.K. skated that is. We will never see or hear this kind of audience response to a skater. It's as if Elvis was Skating lol

[@wildflowerdreams]

I miss her so much. Her performances often bring me to tears. This is a favorite. Great skater/athlete, great human being.

[@AnneSmith-l8t]

Definitely the greatest and most passionate performance of all time.

[@L1623VP]

Think about what Terry Gannon said at 2:19. In 2004, Michelle finished no lower than third in every competition she skated in since 1995. For nine straight years, she made the podium in every event she entered. Amazing.

[@valentino4411]

Less not forget that most of her podium finishes were gold... she rarely got bronze. What skater do we know has such consistency over the course of a decade while other skaters came and went, Michelle was the constant. That's why she's more iconic and legendary than others who might have won Olympic Gold but were one-hit wonders... neither Sarah nor Tara had half the career and impact as Michelle.

[@SweetSirenia]

​@@valentino4411 You could argue Tara, in her brief senior career, had just as much of an impact due to how much she pushed the technical side of things, especially the now-expectation of triple-triple combinations. Everyone may differ in opinion on whether we *like* that change, but basically every historian of figure skating says Tara was pivotal.

[@valentino4411]

@SweetSirenia Tara had one of the shortest senior level career of any Olympic gold medalist. Here's why I disagree about Tara deserving alot of credit for pusing technical side. Madori Ito and Harding were performing triple axles way before Tara. I actually found that Sara Hughes and others that followed Tara had way cleaner triple triple combos than Tara. Even though Tara mightve had more triple triple combos than Michelle, Michelle's overall flight of her jumps and landings were much cleaner and prettier than most of her competitors including Tara. Tara's jumping style and landings felt more haphazard than Michelle. To me, I prefer a Triple Double combo with perfect flight and landings than triple triple combos with messy landings and little height. Tara got lucky her Olympic year. Michelle's had such a long term legendary reign at senior level even without the Olympic gold. She very seldomly placed lower than 2nd place for an entire decade.

[@kathleenmcgraw9100]

I truly miss her so much. Figure skating just isn't the same. Such grace and beauty. It's all about the jumps now😢

[@thesupremediva]

Out of their seats before the program ends! What a champion!

[@sashababy6060]

A true champ indeed.

[@stereotypea123]

God I miss when there was this level of excitement for figure skating.

[@queenmaoasada8447]

She's ridiculous. How can she move across the ice so fast?? Dunno if I'm more amazed by Michelle's performance or to hear Nancy Kerrigan say something nice about someone.

[@snopesshop1903]

Haha

[@comment6864]

Yeah the edge control is unsurpassed. They don't make them like this anymore. It's like her skating skills are so solid that she doesn't even need to give them a thought. That's the kind of technique that really allows a skater to PERFORM.

[@jrewing2383]

Simply the best, she took us to places no other skater, hell no other athletes can take us, a beautiful , wonderful, magical place of ice. Oh god, if I can only turn back time and be inside this arena to see this, I would give anything.

[@evelynbarrios9066]

THE ONLY REASON I STARTED TOO WATCH ICE SKATING WAS BECAUSE OF MICHELLE KWAN,I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HER

[@acsgrlie]

I love all the emotion in this performance. The whole run at the end makes me cry every time with the crowd getting into it and her reaction. My favorite figure skater of all time!

[@byusuf4953]

Absolutely love this performance by Michelle Kwan. Her emotion, her grace and her clear love of skating is what makes this particular performance so timeless.

[@ellenbay3578]

Everytime I see Michele skate it lifts me up to the clouds... To watch her expressions and her hands and body is mystical. I consider myself lucky to be able to watch someone skate with such abandon and grace in this lifetime. There will never be another like Michele Kwan. Even to this year 2014, she's happily married the joy that she brings to us that watches her move to excellence is still very exciting. Maybe she will have a child that will be able to follow her footsteps. I hope I will live long enough to see that....

[@AxlKhan-v1f]

We wil never see this kind of beauty and magic on ice again .

[@jeannemorgan8770]

I feel that in all of her performances, she is telling the story of the music she skates to. Never ever had that feeling with other skaters. She is wonderful, a class act, and so much fun to watch. I get tears and chills watching all of the videos of her. Just wonderful.

[@jeffereyhopkins750]

No how many quads the Russian girls do, nothing can top the musical interpretation can match this. This what skating is supposed to be about, not how many jumps you can perform

[@pennyparham4123]

, exactly. Figure skating is not like it was in the old days. Now, they focus more on the jumps and how many quads they can do

[@erivera4928]

had the olympics taken place in 1996, 2000, 2004...she'd be on all podiums...even golden a couple times

[@TT-ee4qp]

+2003

[@janbay37]

Nobody but nobody skates with the beauty and grace of Michelle Kwan. Now it's all about the jumps. It's a shame!

[@uuduu7]

The loveliness of Michelle Kwan is her heart that she shows and she always finishes her dance with a flourish of heart and soul..

[@JKiNG945]

Okay I literally almost started crying.

[@BethYoung]

i literally did cry

[@shirleyackerson2295]

Beth Young , me too......tears.

[@diamond13130]

I cried and cry every time I watch it.

[@acuison1]

Tara, Sasha, Sarah - who, who, and who? Frankly, it is always a full house when Michelle was competing in the event. If Michelle is not present, none of the other skaters command the kind of audience Michelle commands.

[@thaoch]

Simplicity at its BEST!! All she had to offer was her heart..and we all felt it!

[@jcbroadw]

One of my favorite Michelle programs of all time- the footwork sequence at the end is absolutely amazing.

[@musicteachjw]

Ice skating has not been the same. Goose pimples.

[@mijni]

I cried.

[@paulmcelroy81]

can we all just agree that she is the greatest of all time, like seriously!!!!

[@Delmasca]

That was one of the most incredible things I've ever seen in my whole life.

[@elliotgale]

michelle kwan was my HERO when i was a kid, i wanted to be just like her! ive stopped skating since but the absolute awe and admiration i feel for her will never go away, she was one of the greats.

[@hankmcaff9350]

why isn't it exciting like this anymore?

[@meremo8281]

+Hank McAff I would sincerely say because at the moment figure skating does not have a super star like Michelle Kwan. A lot of the current skaters simply do not connect with the audience like she did. I noticed a lot lately that a lot of skaters skate their programs like there isn't anyone watching them. I will say that Jason Brown does skate for the crowd though. He reminds me of the old school skating greats such as Kwan, Scott Hamilton, etc.

[@emerybayblues]

+Hank McAff I would add that the judging marks. When those 6.0s would post that would electrify the crowd. Now they have this different head scratching point system. Plus moves like Kwan's extended spiral is no longer allowed. While it was beautiful here, it was shortened to accommodate the rule changes.

[@meremo8281]

emerybayblues Spot on. The new system is slowly gaining traction, but the pace is incredible slow. I feel like many of the programs are just plain boring.

[@diamond13130]

I miss Michelle Kwan so much!!

[@thaoch]

Just a measure of how wonderful Michelle was and still is as a skater.....I have YET to see a standing ovation like this one...........worlds, olympics, nationals, GPF.....

[@mlc2005]

Even though there's talent out there right now, it is so hard to watch skating without being sad Kwan is no longer with us. For 12 years she spoiled us with her PHENOMENAL artistry and consistency. It's like she puts her entire soul and being into every performance, esp since she usually has tears in her eyes at the end. I think what I miss is the intensity she brought.

[@DawnB25]

I was actually at this performance. It was wonderful to see this in person. Memories :)

[@ferency98]

The only female solo skater that moves me to tears. Michelle, you are the gold medalist every time in my heart. NO ONE skates with the heart that you do.

[@pauls.2427]

The BEST skating performance by a female ever!

[@IsidroJoe]

I remeber watching this and it left me speechless!!! GREAT music too, may God please help her to try for the winter olympics one last time!!!!!

[@theknitwit7098]

Compare this to what we see now, and you’ll understand why the new, rigid, points-based system disappoints.

[@sashababy6060]

She is so freaking focused. She truly loves every second she's out there.

[@stacythomas1587]

I watched the 2022 Olympics last night. One of Russia's female skaters performed. She did a quadruple jump....first female ever. It was magnificent. Her routine was amazing and technically flawless....but STILL didn't have the passion of MK.

[@jrewing2383]

This is what is missing from figure skating, why the whole world was watching the sport, the beauty the elegance the magic the superstar presence, we will never see this kind of magic on ice ever again.

[@theknitwit7098]

2007, behind closed doors at the ISU: Person A: “It appears that corruption among our judges has created such public outrage that it threatens to decrease our revenue stream! Any thoughts?” Person B: “Let’s create a new system!” Person C: “How about one which almost nobody understands, and in which a computer program is required to link a judge with his/her score?” Everybody: Deafening applause.

[@koolaidnhemlock]

when im down, i put this on, and it always lifts my spirits. this is, to me, the greatest free skate ever.

[@PthaloGreen2]

She is just phenomenal in every way. Truly, skating was just the beginning for her. I was in the arena for this and it was a real privilege to witness. Brava, Ms. Kwan!

[@4piglite]

Her skating brings me to tears almost every time. Her raw emotion combined with her insane skill set render her untouchable in terms of being well rounded and completely centered, a true poetic master of the sport. Michelle Kwan forever!!

[@imvvnh]

there's something about the emotion she conveys and the power she exudes that just transcends ice skating... like i dont know anything about skating but i still cry every time i watch her skate. she is a true talent

[@dinh5532]

The choreography was so good because every element went along with the music. It was phenomenal!

[@MissGreenDay7]

I love how she's not jaded from getting so many perfect scores. Her reaction to her score shows just how humble she is.

[@buchananbecca]

her straighline footwork and spiral send goosebumps up my arms every time i watch this. Michelle is extremely gifted and her artistry and grace and passion are unbelievable. I miss seeing this sort of thing. I

[@judigamroth7736]

Her spirals are just exquisite! I haven’t seen anyone else do them as well, or with such emotion.

[@gailemory3625]

Dont know anything abt figure skating but i found myself returning to this video many times. Its just perfect.

[@thesupremediva]

I love Dick's faux outrage at having predicted Sasha's win here. Never underestimate Michelle's ability to deliver PERFECTION.

[@Sknastics]

After all these years this still makes me so emotional! No skater will ever equal Michelle Kwan! The emotion and passion she shows while interpreting the music is just beyond words! The reaction of the audience along with Terry, Dick and Peggy says everything about how epic this was!

[@deseanmustard6007]

...Why tf am i crying

[@shanat7]

When Michelle does her spiral, I feel like I'm flying (watching her). She is just amazing.

[@erthyboy]

I think that there are many great skaters today, just like there are many great skaters from the past. The best thing to do is appreciate each of them for who they were/are and always remember the joy they brought to us all. My personal favorite is and will always be Michelle Kwan. Her passion and artistry always moved me and I she took me through ever emotion she felt. I say, love who you love and let other do the same. Cheers!

[@koolaidnhemlock]

pure joy. its so rare to see something like this. this will truly be remembered as one of the greatest skates in history.

[@heribertoriverajr8901]

Man, when will we see crowds that huge again?!

[@scottibrown3274]

This is my first time watching this Tosca free skate and needless to say, I have chills

[@snopesshop1903]

This is why Lipinski cut and ran after the Olympics. Imagine her competing against Sasha and Michele with her movie soundtracks and crossovers.

[@NataliaTsynaeva_]

Уникальная фигуристка, конечно 👏👏👏! Катается с душой❤Что-то мы потеряли в сегодняшнем фигурном катании...

[@LWOPP]

How wonderful it must feel to have pulled off seven perfect jumps to some of the most beautiful music in the world, and then to bring it all home with that mindboggling footwork sequence! Simply the best.

[@nathanielharper8701]

It’s so crazy that when we watched this we had no idea this was the last performance Michelle had that had her magic. Those performances where she was not only clean, but her skate was passionate, and captivating and magical. No one was like her.

[@TT-ee4qp]

Not the last magic performance she had .....2005 " Adagio " was emotion and elegant.

[@nathanielharper8701]

@@TT-ee4qp Is that her short at Nationals that year? I’ll have to rewatch! Thanks!

[@klkpiano]

Another moment of Kwan genius: the triple flip followed by the double axel. The final musical phrase of that section is a two-note "phrase" played by the trumpet. She does the axel take-off and lands precisely on the last note. It's simply perfect and provides such a structural moment in the choreography by really marking the end of the first section. No one does like my Michelle! I also just love how she goes right up into that axel from the flip, so smoothly and effortlessly. Ah, heaven!

[@alphabetacanton]

I burst into tears right at the start. Don't know why. Probably due to Michelle's heart and soul that is on display the moment she hit the ice. A world treasure is our Michelle. She never fails to lift my spirits, show us what beauty and courage is and how a true, great artist could be so bright and yet so humble at the same time. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@evelynbarrios9066]

Still goose bumps omg am tearing right now 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@erivera4928]

I think what made her special is her consistency and passion. You cannot compare different eras of skating - you CAN compare what happen within those eras. Between 1994 - 2005, no one was as consistent as she was. Incredible that in almost every competition, she was a favorite to win. This is why she is missed. You can replicate axels, quads, etc, you cannot replicate this passion and consistency.

[@itzimani]

The figure skater of my childhood 😍Even now years later she is amazing.

[@charlesweird]

I've lost count how many times I've watched this program. She is so amazing!

[@sallydaniel1023]

Skaters just don't have this passion anymore. They're all jumping machines. Miss Michelle !!

[@TyrannicDarkSoUl]

the last part is like.. speechless.. amazing!!!

[@annecohen8927]

When I watch her skate I just feel intense love for her... she just make people love her more than other figure skaters. I think is her positive attitude she has.

[@Indiegirl007]

She is......phenomenal. I still remember this performance, it moves me to tears. When she skates, she puts her HEART on the ice, you can just see it the way she skates with her arms just flown out to the sides and the way she leaps and jumps with such passion! I love her hands, they're so soft and expressive. She's like LIQUID on that ice, just normally skating she's just gorgeous. WOW.

[@jessicazhang6562]

I really miss the artistry in figure skating. It's getting too technical nowadays.

[@PaulbylPaulbyl]

her arm movements add a lot to her overall performance, demonstrating effortlessness and so much beauty. wish i could have been.

[@abdomay4276]

Is this a miracle. To me it appears to be the active work of God instilled in her. That was awesomeness 😊👌😁😀🤩👌😁👌😁😀

[@edgarsandoval1966]

2018 and still gives me goosebumps

[@insaelliott6006]

There are few artists that both fill your heart with joy and bring you to tears at the same time. Michelle Kwan is one of them.

[@ЕкатеринаПчелина-щ6з]

Моя любимая Tosca - это в исполнении Мишель Кван! Великая! Не могу сдержать слез, когда, на финальной дорожке шагов, музыку не слышно из-за крика зала, поддерживающего Мишель!

[@emerybayblues]

The audience has great arms throwing those stuff animals on the ice!

[@jzmusizz-4057]

Oh the days.....

[@forsakenlilyx]

Whenever I watch Michelle Kwan's performances, it's so bittersweet. She's completely amazing at what she does, and she made me want to be an ice skater when I was younger, even though I couldn't skate to save my life. I'm angry that she never won gold in the Olympics, but that really doesn't make a difference. She was THE figure skater, and nothing will ever change that. Man I miss those Olympics days. :(

[@anahuezo9162]

Always She will be my favorite.

[@Letissiaskatetapes24]

Except 5 World Titles and nine to Sasha's one U.S National title and many MANY clean, perfectly done routines at some of this biggest championships she competed at. But then at least Sasha can say at the one World Championships (2006) that was practically given to her on a silver platter, she still fell on her ass multiple times to lose the title to her 16 year old country woman at her first Worlds. Yep Michelle definitely ain't got nothing on Sasha, because Michelle Kwan knew how NOT to choke.

[@jblackinc]

My mother was the reason I fell in love with Michelle kwan .Growing up in a rough area of St.Louis, MO , life wasn't easy , but I remember being 8 years old and my mom sitting me in front the TV to watch the 1997 nationals where she memorized me and I was hooked from there on .GOD ,I miss her skating ,passion , and energy

[@anahuezo9162]

This presentation one of my favorites.

[@fishdude77]

there are just so many things about this that i love. she is just so powerful, in her emotions in every move, from a simple spread eagle to a falling leaf, she just pulls you in. This is my favorite skate from her EVER, i wish skaters now had the kind of passion she did.