Queen of back flips on ice laces up her skates in MN, as coach

[@chuckemeade]

She was criticized for being too athletic, I always thought athletes were supposed to be athletic.

[@RaymondHng]

She's criticized for skating in straight lines and not in circles. In other words, she should be skating on her edges. Also, there should not be any breaks in choreography. Critics say that she stops her choreography when entering a jump.

[@olivialau88]

Well, I think it was more about her not being artistic enough. Nobody criticized her for achieving difficult jumps, as she was an amazing technician. However, figure skating is both a sport and an art. Figure skaters learn choreography and skate to music in their programs. If it was all about jumps and spins, then figure skaters wouldn't need to have choreographers or even skate to music. I think that the criticism regarding her artistry was valid, as she was weaker in that department. And, in all honesty, she's not the only figure skater who has been criticized for their artistry or musical interpretation. I can name various competitive figure skaters who are also regarded to be weaker in artistry (i.e., Kaori Sakomoto, Alexandra Trusova, Bradie Tennell) compared to their peers.

[@___kayed]

@James BigBigBigBoss fax i just heard about her story she is awesome

[@___kayed]

@James BigBigBigBoss craz how people be pressed about a girls skin color and how well she does stuff

[@Asmodea01]

@@olivialau88 Then why not evolve the sport and introduce a second category called "athletic figure scating"?

[@pearlwright5294]

She is phenomenal! Jealousy and racism did not tread on her brilliant talent! Make illegal what you cannot do! SAD!

[@alwa4735]

Backflip was illegal long before she did it. It was done previoulsy at competition and is still performed at ice shows.

[@AlbeezyOfc]

@@alwa4735 her version of it wasn’t illegal

[@alwa4735]

@@AlbeezyOfc All somersault jumps are illegal in figure skating. Two men (one in 70s and ne in 90s) landed backflip on one foot. She's probably the only female. Maybe there was a loophole and it wasn't written in ISU fs handbook. They counted her backflip an invalid element. Even if they didn't how to judge that? Every program must contain specific number of jumps, spins etc. She already made too many mistakes before backflip and couldn't win anyway (4 out of 7 jumps in the free skate weren't clean, PCS wise she was never the strongest).

[@prettybarbie9273]

@@alwa4735 you people always always make excuses for racism

[@___kayed]

@@prettybarbie9273 fax smh

[@freddyc8098]

She was totally robbed of the 1993 World title.

[@suws315]

Yes!!! She had a lot of great competition during this golden age of figure skating, but 1993 was the one she CLEARLY should have won!

[@jonhohensee3258]

Sure, Freddy.

[@AMurphySharp]

She sure was robbed!!!

[@jelanimuhammad6898]

I love the honesty this is why the Olympics will soon not be respected because its not talent based. Its more like politics. Smh​@suws315

[@MO-ss5mj]

Racism

[@nope666666]

in my eye she is the winner , first place

[@jonhohensee3258]

Good thing your eye doesn't matter.

[@marial3609]

I never realised she didn’t win a gold metal! 30 years later and I remember her acts like it was yesterday.

[@fart63]

No one remembers who actually took gold that year. Surya stayed in peoples mind. Her routine was the most exciting thing about figure skating that year and is still talked about today. Better than winning gold.

[@donttalktomeyoureannoying8736]

The fact that we are still talking about her and she hasn’t won a gold medal 🥇 is A LOT. I bet France 🇫🇷 hasn’t had a figure skater that was phenomenal since than. This woman may not have had the choreography down pact, but she is flawless in her technique and extremely talented. I wish she was born some 20 years later so we could marvel is her talent. Now THIS is black history!

[@alexthiebaut2195]

Surya Bonaly and Candeloro are figure skating in France. She was one of the most beloved athlete of the 90's in France. She's still the first name that comes to mind when one mentions French figure skating

[@jonhohensee3258]

dontta - since THAN???

[@daveycortez2944]

I don't think the professional figure skating world truly repected her or her talent at that time. Many coaches and commentators publicly mentioned she didn't fit the "ice princess" mold and many viewed her as a sideshow attraction for the sport. Very Venus and Serena vibes. She is awesome!!!

[@FF-ub7bn]

Same thing in ballet, but ballerinas aren't having it anymore with having to always look a certain body type. Figure skating needs to catch up to modern times.

[@syoung103]

@@FF-ub7bn have they seen Tonya Harding? Lol. Trailer trash. How can she be considered “ice princess” but not Ms Bonaly?

[@ilovebeinagirl]

Yep. That's how they treated Tonya Harding too.

[@lorebay2593]

@@ilovebeinagirlbut she was involved in a criminal act against another skater that’s why no one Iiked her.

[@sonyapeach]

She was my favorite ice skater ever. I have never seen anything like what she did, she was amazing.

[@Rayraydavies]

Surya Bonaly is one of the most important figure skaters I can think of- pure power, unmatched skill, and original artistry. I watch her Lillehammer performances at least once a year for inspiration. Merci Bien, Surya!

[@makyahbrown2]

She won first place, period they just didn’t give it to her. We all know who won.

[@jonhohensee3258]

Sure.

[@NeishaNineStarz]

Surya was the most memorable skater of her era I felt seen when she was on screen as a kid.

[@jonhohensee3258]

Seen???

[@mlev1111]

Oh she is so lovely! I love to see coaches being so kind to students ♡

[@___kayed]

@Margot Seed27 cool

[@jeremie2020]

Surya never quite had the career she deserved, throughout all these years, on so many occasions during the World Championships/the Olympic, she was the victim of corrupted judges, she was given low marks unfairly, mainly because she did not meet the "feminine standards", too muscular and probably not white enough too...I was so gutted for her. Surya is one of the best figure skaters ever, I'm happy she's having a happy life in the US now. Bravo et merci Surya, la France est fière de vous, vous êtes une grande championne!

[@aurelien.9587]

It was the 80s... Surya was an avant-gardist and unconventional gymnast, a shame that the jury never ever considered a black gymnast with an athletic body on ice. She must has been so frustrated. I am happy that Surya finally found a great professional conversion in the States!

[@daveycortez2944]

Kinda mirrors Venus and Senera's stories.

[@ilovebeinagirl]

It was the 90s but yes and I remember seeing a lot of competitions where she was upset with the scores.

[@o6ina]

When I was a kid, me and my family loved watching FS, and we were going crazy when Surya was skating. She was the champion of hearts!

[@wonderwoman5732]

Thank you!!! I agree to the power of infinity!!!

[@lorebay2593]

She is the greatest skater and back flipper of them all, it’s illegal because she’s the only woman that does it effortlessly the Queen of the ice.

[@jonhohensee3258]

Not really.

[@lorebay2593]

@@jonhohensee3258 really

[@iowabettyg]

Surya, I loved watching your entire career. You were outstanding, back flips unbelievable and graceful! You are beautiful and gorgeous costumes! Glad you are in Minneapolis area. I wondered where you went to. God bless you for being You!! Hugs and prayers always Betty Gordon Anes, Iowa

[@daveycortez2944]

I am so happy she found love. She seems happy and living her life. Best wishes Surya Bonaly....from France 🤣🤣🥰

[@MrViyasan]

All these years later ask yourself: Do you remember the gold medal winner or the skater who pulled off an incredible move? I'd say the latter.

[@jonhohensee3258]

I remember both. So what?

[@jbdel]

get a life

[@handsomeblackman255]

She is EXTREMELY talented. Awesome.

[@harborviewoperations6291]

Scott Hamilton was the first skater I saw do the backflip but Surya mastered it by landing on one foot.

[@quirkybrownchick8160]

Scott was cool. From my hometown.

[@chocolatecapricorn9418]

And the only woman I believe..

[@sofabee1]

Not only did she land it on one foot but she did it in combination... unreal!

[@fart63]

She’s the only person to ever perform her flip actually. To this day.

[@JahleeyahKalonji]

Surya was sooo awesome. I just watched a YT video showing her doing her first backflip on ice at age 12......she was just naturally gifted.

[@vixxa]

I watched her as a little girl with such pride and inspiration. Amazing talent.❣Legend

[@lululin9870]

She's the legend.

[@may_laytrucker3127]

She was always people's champion👌👍👏👏👏

[@jonhohensee3258]

Not really.

[@jjf7525]

F the judges. Figure skating is notorious for its politics and favoritism. She is one of kind. Incredible

[@jonhohensee3258]

If the judges aren't worth anything then don't enter the sport.

[@fart63]

@@jonhohensee3258seems pretty obvious to me they aren’t going to lmao

[@XimenaZhao415]

She's so humble and amazing. She keeps getting better.

[@scjincascadia]

Really happy to hear how she is doing. She was always one of my favorites of all time.

[@LeroyWareTravels]

It should be the queen of ice skating and not backflips. They belittled her...

[@jonhohensee3258]

WHO belittled her?

[@Ar7hur.J]

What an awesome person! Such talent and skill and humility 🔥 Now this is a perfect example for young girls to aspire to be like! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@philippebiendon5809]

what a smart move, cause she had not won the olympics but she will always be remembered as the woman who defied the ice skating establishment by doing a beautifully executed 1 leg back flip... forever Surya Bonaly

[@ToOpen6seven]

She is still beautiful 😁

[@Junjo11]

Nice to see you Surya. You were always one of the best skaters.

[@pilarlaudell7873]

Forever the Queen ❤️🔥❤️💕

[@jonhohensee3258]

She's no queen.

[@marthahale9243]

And her gorgeous costumes were Christian LaCroix!

[@yukarishiromori5979]

She is my ice skate coach at Las Vegas ice center she is awesome I love her it’s true if u live here in LV go check it out (btw I’m using my moms acc)

[@helder408]

Stil to this day i see people argue about if it should be legal or not... to me figure skating is about being gracefull and beautifull OR pull out the tricks and execute them perfectly(a combination of both is always what they aim for)... a backflip is dagerous yes but if you can land it on one foot(since the arguement was "jusdeges dont like tricks landed on both feet") it should be legal and validated, let competitors do whatever they want, it's their choice if they want to take the risks or not to execute harder/more demanding tricks and i bet my ass a lot more people would tune in into this sport

[@mspinkytee]

Black folks are born graceful.

[@mademsoisellerhapsody1868]

It's worth a try. She, alone, was doing this move and NOT falling down. She had other challenges, every artist does. But I felt the judges should have awarded her excellence when she landed this jump. Is a forward somersault also illegal in figure skating? As long as the jump does not break the line of the movement, it should be considered.

[@NadieQueti]

I agree. Besides, all moves can be dangerous if you don't do them right. If it where for danger, nobody should do a thing in gymnastics and yet they do. These competitions are supposed to show what greatest athletic feats are. That backflip is 100% one of them

[@wifeoftim]

Somehow I think the guys throwing the women in the air is more dangerous than a backflip!

[@fart63]

The entire sport is dangerous! So are most of them! Why should we punish the post talented people for simply doing things others can’t do? Isn’t that the whole point in seeing who the best is?

[@blxgrl]

I was so proud of her in the 90s I still am❤

[@TRADERSFRIEND]

She indeed is a living legend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Beautifulutopia22]

She is outstanding you are a GOLD 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 winner

[@fukyuyuetoob7663]

Legendary in any audience eyes.

[@mademsoisellerhapsody1868]

Gosh what a beautiful woman. Resilience, Surya Bonaly is your name

[@jonhohensee3258]

She's not beautiful.

[@bobbymkd457]

She is a star! ❤️

[@MyPoetik]

When I was 8 I was looking at that on t.v. ice show in France with my mom and grand ma' 😊😊

[@boyversusworld658]

Honestly, it was just nice to see someone that looked like me in a sport where there wasn't a lot of diversity. Even if she didn't do what the judges wanted, I still enjoyed watching her on TV defy the odds.

[@major-rat]

Nice glasses

[@sonyastone6318]

She is one of the best skaters

[@AMurphySharp]

One of the greatest skaters of all time. Period!!!

[@Phucking_Pheasant]

She’s lovely in every way 🥰😍❤

[@africanqueen1655]

We know Sis you are the Ice Queen👸🏾 not the Princess! 👏🏾❣️ You had the beauty, the backflip, the body- and that as usual is too much for them-which means they already know! 👏🏾👸🏾👏🏾

[@jonhohensee3258]

You are a sad human being.

[@roguexxrenegade]

She seems absolutely awesome !

[@DavidAntunes-rm7dq]

She's a gorgeous superwoman

[@MyHammer111]

Suraly is the TRUTH. By the way, the Netflix documentary is great, and it's titled losers because its about people who are absolute WINNERS in life despite things that transpired in their sports career. Very moving doc. The Losers episode on Michael Brant is also very good.

[@taraanderson7342]

SHE A ONE OF A FIND GOD THEY NEED TO GIVE HER HER FLOWERS BEFORE SHES GONE 😭♥️🙏🏾

[@nightmarefanatic1819]

The thing that gets me is: Surya is a human being. She's exceptional at her craft, but she's not some Kryptonian that no one could ever hope to rival. If she did it, then others actually could do it too, they just need to git gud. But no, Harrison Bergeron the sport instead because nobody else wants to put in the effort to be able to do the flip. Glad to see her happy though. Also I hope her students know how lucky they are to be able to learn from a legend.

[@EnoExplores]

A queen and more ❤

[@BilliondollarmeDestiny]

The world owes Surya a gold medal, imo.

[@fart63]

How many people remember the gold medalist from that olympics? Ive remembered Surya all these years.

[@JustASmallTownGirl85]

She is a living legend

[@goldroger6151]

I never once in my entire life saw her as a loser , he never gave up no matter what the cost , I can't imagine all those physical and emotional pain . To her medals were nothing but how good you give all your efforts

[@jonhohensee3258]

he???

[@cas8007]

She is awesome

[@owtsideperspective3588]

It was her signature move and she executed it beautifully

[@imaginaryfriends9231]

surya bonaly and tonya harding deserve more tbh❤️❣️❣️💖💖💖💖

[@donfacundo2118]

We do not even know who the winners are. Go for your passion!!!

[@PopOfGeniusFilmsVIPMediaScreen]

She is still AMAZING 🤩

[@rodentcafeteria]

What's the correct pronunciation of her last name? I've always heard it pronounced "Bona-Lee."

[@marianasir9295]

Excellent. Surya Bonaly is in the right place, United States of América ❤ for the will and help other do excellent well. Shalom 🎉❤

[@godsmacks1000]

I met Surya and her mother while I was in Las Vegas a few years ago. They were both very nice and took the time to talk to me for a while.

[@Jimmyjones-e4c]

Just a coach, woman you a legend

[@romarioneuf]

En France elle est populaire, elle a marqué les esprits, un exemple de combativité.

[@concettagreen818]

Had her race been different they would call her what she is: a brave pioneer in the sport.

[@jonhohensee3258]

You're delusional.

[@citydweller99]

She was memorable in the 90s Olympics. Has never medaled, but was popular and a positive element during the tense 1994 Olympics especially

[@StewNWT]

Backflip into triple sow is craaaaazy

[@sashamonique3922]

Good for her I am just glad she is happy!❤” Heaven wears your halo queen, your an angel!”

[@lindawenzel7865]

Iconic. Surya is the female equivalent to Scott Hamilton. Legends never truly fade, they’re eternal.

[@EightFrancs]

Surya is a legend.

[@chillinprom]

Just wow....😍🤩

[@charlesstevens5927]

Never seen this before, unbelievable!!

[@jesseroach9434]

They be foulin in this interview she clearly wasn’t “destroyed” by her past it has pioneered skating future

[@yolandab6731]

She will always be the best in my book

[@BabiriP-wo6zq]

Such an amazing skater

[@marcusvail6813]

She’s iconic

[@jonhohensee3258]

She acted like a brat.

[@JessG247]

She had it all over the others of her day, miss her a lot

[@paulbrouwer4717]

My RESPEKT for this world class nice woman who disserves to go in the hall off fame with her back flip

[@ericfluellen8957]

I certainly appreciate the commentator's enthusiasm for Ms. Bonaly I share in her interest in this fantastic athlete. However, I don't think she's saying Ms. Bonaly's sir name correctly.

[@goelnuma6527]

Surya has always had a BIG BIG BIG personality

[@marcusvail6813]

What I never understood about the past and racism, black women to many white men and women weren’t good enough to be equal but good enough to raise their children.

[@zahrajames5941]

GOAT!!!....no one can take that away from you ...

[@calilyn1026]

Queen

[@mauriciotorres9110]

una espectacular la sincronización de la joven Surya bonaly en el patinaje sobre hielo , una verdadera Reyna en el patinaje ...dejo una huella con el salto que consideraban ilegal , más ella lo llevo a la perfección sin duda una Reyna indiscutible ...

[@liliaguzmanhernandez1377]

Surya Dios te bendiga grandemente siempre Eres la mejor

[@samanthajones1047]

Las Vegas 2005 Ice Rink ❤

[@markpeter4304]

We still remember her but who remembers those unwavering judges.

[@franciseylim11]

You not getting gold medal, is ok. But GOD, everyone in this world and you yourself know you are the queen, you deserved gold medal, that’s enough. You don’t care what other people saying!

[@iamjuancediel]

She’s no ice princess, she is queen of the ice.

[@djs2356]

@1:38 Not only does she do a back-flip, but controls it into a beautiful triple Salchow!.......Gurl!

[@d8ngdeld8ng]

Surya Bonaly Move. 🖤

[@pachinoize]

She was and still is "the queen of ice "

[@stephaniecleveland8264]

I feel so angry and irritated with how the media projected this junk onto her that she was telling the judges off or being defiant. It feels even sadder now that I hear her saying “I couldn’t do anymore with my body” and she was injured and worn out. It feels to me like hard rough tough meanings are foisted onto black women’s behavior constantly, as though black women were less feminine and able to feel pain.

[@Jimmyjones-e4c]

Legend 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Successkafiko]

I don't know any skating gold medalist, but I know a skating back flipper. 🔥

[@dwi5114]

She was def the best female skater in the world at that time! Robbed hands down!!!

[@jonhohensee3258]

Prove it.

[@seanjohn14]

underated..she is very good...😢