Top 10 Black Ice Skaters of ALL TIME

[@Blackwoman12345]

Thank you for the video Terry Swoope This Was very interesting.i never knew anything Africa American skaters I'm so Glad that to see Them I Remember Tai

[@TerrySwoopeVideos]

Glad you enjoyed the vid thanks for commenting.

[@marvettaholland6532]

I am 52 years old and beginning my journey into ice skating as an adult figure skater. I love it so far!!!

[@darquequeen2323]

Oh, enjoy it! I used to skate in my younger days, but due to diabetic neuropathy, I can’t skate anymore. I miss the feeling of gliding on the ice. Hope it brings you many happy and healthy years of joy. ⛸⛸

[@marvettaholland6532]

@@darquequeen2323 Thank you! It has not been easy, but I'm with it for the long term...:)

[@CodyCole80]

🙂 That’s inspiring I would like to do it just to get back in shape.

[@valeriegardner2762]

This was an amazing feature of unknown (to me) Black History. Thank you so much for this!

[@gettheedgenow7079]

This video brought back wonderful childhood memories. My mother used to take us ice skating in Central Park and Rockefeller Center every weekend when the rinks were open in NYC. We would have our beautiful skating outfits, ear muffs and mittens and just have a blast. Afterwards, mom would take us for hot cocoa with marshmallows on the top. Mmmm--Ain't life grand!

[@primusmoss-ln6jc]

That was BEAUTIFUL! I was not aware of some of the earlier female skaters and a couple of the male skaters. Thank you for that. I remember Tai Babylonia and Debi Thomas quite well, and a small bit of Surya Bonaly. Wow, they were GREAT! This world is a trip with all of its blocks and categories and status quos and the like. People should be appreciated for what they can bring to the table talent wise regardless of your doggone color. I'm just soooooo sick and tired of that. Really! Is it just gonna go on forever or is the world going to grow up finally? I hope it grows up and expands it's mindset.

[@magsbayou]

We have a ways to go. The republican party in the US has filed a lawsuit arguing Kamala Harris cannot be president because she is black. They are arguing who can be black and that black people are not actually citizens and covered by the constitution. No decision on their suit yet.

[@browneyedrockerbabe4155]

*I REALLY ENJOYED this video immensely!!! I remember Debbi Thomas & Surya Bonaly! I also remember that she hadda a move so FIERCE that the figure skating association BANNED IT because NO OME ELSE could do it ( Bonaly) Excellent video Terry!!!* 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿⛸⛸⛸⛸

[@TerrySwoopeVideos]

Glad you enjoyed it thanks for commenting and sharing your feedback.

[@browneyedrockerbabe4155]

@@TerrySwoopeVideos *Most definitely & you're welcome* 🙂👍🏿

[@zarario4444]

The Blackfilp should be banned in competitive figure skating its dangerous.

[@jpaultelchannel1702]

In fact, that move called the Bonaly is illegal because it is considered dangerous.

[@iah8344]

Zara Rio: all ice skating is inherently dangerous. That criticism is petty, specious, racist and hollow

[@patriciajenkins2253]

Thank you for our, Beautiful Black peoples in ice skating ⛸ ❤.

[@shealstewart271]

Hello Terry Swoope, thank you! Vanessa James should be higher on your list: 2005 - 2006, British Champ. French Champ 2009 - 2019. 2016 - 2017 European Bronze. 2017 - 2018 European Bronze, World Bronze. 2018 - 2019 European Gold. Olympics 2010 placed 14th. 2014 placed 10th. 2018 placed 5th.

[@hansspanky]

Agree résumé speaks loud and clear Of her accomplishments in her skating career

[@paolocastellano2771]

Sheal Stewart, I don't think Terry Swoopes knows a lot about figure skating. He didn't even mention Rory Flack who was a beautiful and athletic skater...

[@fredrika27]

Debie Thomas should also be higher because of her Olympic bronze medal. What angers me about Debie is that the US has so many gold medalists, the literally forget that she won a medal back in 1988! It's horrible how US Figure Skating has treated her.

[@ladyt.7831]

Great performance and beautiful individuals !🙏💜💜🌷🌷🌷💯

[@TerrySwoopeVideos]

Thanks for listening

[@virtuworksforeucreative]

Wow 🤩 Thanks for this video Terry of black figure skaters some of who I never heard of especially the pioneering black skater Mabel Fairbanks. I’ve learned something new today. Thank you 🙏🏾

[@patriciavonjohnson489]

I am grateful to you for sharing this footage that should be seen by the entire globe.

[@mrroygaskin6046]

Thanks for the video man. Really reassuring and inspirational. Simply wonderful to take the time to put this together. Invaluable 😘

[@muezzathestray750]

Thank you for this. I've skated forever and it's always been discouraging not to see anyone who looked like me. Still my favorite thing to do

[@TheCasheba]

Thank-you. I really appreciated this, and I am going to show this to my grandchildren!

[@K5Blazer1975]

Thank you.I didn’t know black people skated.and know I have more beautiful black history to share.👍🏿

[@user-ne5vx2tz9y]

Great video! Loved watching this. I love how they carry their self with grace and have great performances. You can see they really love what they do 😍 thank you so much for this video!!!

[@viewterracehoa5104]

Wonderful compilations and information I knew about most of the skaters. Thanks

[@katyarnold6757]

Thanks! Terry for uploading our african american people in the ice skating sport. This video is african american excellence!!! at it's finest.

[@abetterdaylife]

Thank you for producing and posting this video - there are a few names I was not aware of! I started watching skating back in the 1980s so I got to see Debi Thomas. When you do the next video on Black Figure Skaters please include Andrea Gardiner, Derek Delmore, both singles skaters, and there were two black male skaters who competed with white female partners, one pair USA, one pair Germany. Keep up the good work!

[@scotttanner8043]

Hey Terry, thanks for your videos; I really appreciate and enjoy all of your productions. I remember as a young adult, one-day playing ice hockey, and how this one skater, who was much older and also a hockey player (who played for the Bruins and the San Diego Gulls) blew right past me, and he did so almost effortlessly, he was retired at the time and was probably in his fifties (amazing). And, I'm not speaking about his hockey skills per se, I am talking about his skating abilities. So, I want to expound further on the fact that there are more and more Black hockey players who are also excellent skaters--- a video on black NHL/European and up and coming Jr Hockey League/college skaters/players would be an interesting video; serving as a compendium piece to this recent production. (I'm so upset w/ myself because I cannot remember the gentlemen's name I was initially referencing... Anyway, thanks again and be well).

[@scotttanner8043]

I just remembered his name, "Willie O'Ree ---The first Black hockey player in the NHL---there's even a book out on him

[@joycemeeks3965]

Thanks so much, Mr. Swoopes for uploading this enlightening info on Black Ice Skaters.

[@rossriver75]

Who was the woman in the 1980s who just missed out on a Gold because she took a fall in her last skate? A very beautiful skater. I felt so bad for her losing. She did a great skate to George Michael “Teacher” song. Was that Debi Thomas?

[@TerrySwoopeVideos]

Yes it was Debi Thomas thanks for commenting.

[@rossriver75]

@@TerrySwoopeVideos Thanks, Terry. For all your videos. And if you happen to get the song name during the first skate featured Elladje Balde, kindly let me know.

[@GiveHimGlory]

Yes it was Debi Thomas

[@dorothytaylor7830]

The Winner #1: SURYA BONALY. Thank you Terry for this video of African American Figure Skaters. Future generations will love to view this video for decades to come.⛸⛸👋🖐👋🖐👏👏🌷🌷🥇🥇🥇

[@blucoyote3765]

olar Palace, and sometimes on Saturday's she'd put on an impromptu show for everyone to watch. She was so athletic and was loving every minute of what she was doing. She was a sight to behold and I was so fortunate to have known and seen her skate.

[@stephanietadlock6899]

Thank for this history lesson😊

[@ginal1861]

Thanks for your video on my favorite sport. I could argue that Debi should be ranked higher than Surya since she was the only Black skater to win an Olympic medal. Anyway great job. I met Tai and Randy Gardner 3 yrs. ago in West Hollywood. She was very warm and friendly

[@joycebatts2693]

Surya is the greatest female skater that ever did it!

[@zarario4444]

@@joycebatts2693 Surya does not have the skating skills.

[@joycebatts2693]

@@zarario4444 Really?! Lol Okay. I'll just pretend I never read your text.

[@lorebay2593]

What, damn shame America, I never heard of Mabel Fairbanks.

[@jolenebrimageprosper974]

Wonderful tribute and program

[@peggyroyster3759]

Thank you for sharing this, we as Black people can accomplish anything that we believe in once we set our heart and mind in a positive direction.

[@HWolfeIII]

Great list especially # 1.

[@christinec.2376]

Awesome.. thanks for all the wonderful footage.

[@dianabates9483]

Amazing beautiful and so awesome a beautiful blessed God princess nice that's what the dream I had when I was a young girl I did not know that they never showed too many blacks on the ice thank you for sharing that I appreciate it

[@jametoriaburton8392]

Great compilation, Terry Swoop!

[@TerrySwoopeVideos]

Glad you enjoyed it thanks for commenting.

[@umeshkokcha9399]

Black charming female🌹 ice skatter do display too amazing skating skills💞 And specially India people love❤ to watch male and female🌹 both dancing jumping and performing hot salsa while skatting together on white snow🍧🍧🍧 oooh my god ! Hot salsa ice skatting under minus temperature, makes spectators forget cold and feel so warm... !

[@sherbyrd1791]

Absolutely Lovely!

[@libertyordeath555]

Thank you for this, sending to all my fam.

[@charlesharris7445]

Thank you. I was not aware of any of the males. The only ones I knew of were Derrick Delmore and Bobby Beauchamp.

[@honeyb3775]

Thank you for the video I never knew that it was African-American male ice skater ⛸ ! Shows your video to my niece ! Her favorite female in the world who can do backflips on the ice !

[@gjackson3498]

great list, thanks. I think the man in red is Bobby Beauchamp.

[@kasharacarter597]

Ty for posting love ❤️ 😍 💖 ❣️ 💕 💘 ❤️ 😍

[@sevenmile9424]

Thanks for the great video.

[@angelonettebolden2700]

Terry, thank you for this. Vanessa James had two partners, which she won most of her awards, including the European and worlds. I understand there is a scandal with the second partner,and people wouldn't have heard of her if it weren't for the partnership of her and Cipres.

[@JD-vi4qk]

Well then those people follow scandal and not the sport of figure skating, Vanessa James is an accomplished ice skater on her own, her career in figure skating did not start with pairs skating.

[@louisehancock324]

She is skating with another partner and is going to the 2022 Winter Olympics. She brought me back to figure skating.

[@NikkiC408]

Aww Thank you for sharing. I really enjoyed this.

[@kippapao]

thanku!!! skating is fun!!!!

[@sherice7755]

Astonishing in the world of figure skating

[@paulaguedes3187]

Beautiful excellent regards from Paula,Sintra Portugal

[@crwright1492]

Surya! The GOAT on Ice!

[@kelvinholifield762]

There are more of us!

[@MuzicallyEncline]

Good stuff Terry!

[@TerrySwoopeVideos]

Thanks!

[@jojones2500]

Awesome video , Mabel Fairbanks was lovely , and Surya Bonaly should be number one as far as the ladies on all the top ladies ice skating lists , Surya is stunning . 🥇🎉

[@toddthomas4674]

Excellent!

[@louisehancock324]

Thank you.

[@rossriver75]

What’s that song - first song that Elladj Balde is skating to, and for first couple or three minutes. Terry or anyone, please. Thanks!

[@TerrySwoopeVideos]

The song is from Joey Pecoraro - Toy houses

[@rossriver75]

@@TerrySwoopeVideos Thanks, Terry! When I hear good music, I just got to ask. Keep up the GREAT videos. Must be a lot of work. Creative with so many categories. ( But always keep the ladies in there😜!)

[@crwright1492]

Beautiful

[@deborahlives9]

I love her... I watched this with my grandchildren

[@Oracledeborah]

Good stuff.

[@RMFeminine4TheWin]

*this is my all-time favorite sport!!! so glad i found this during the holiday season. thanx Sir Terry!!!* ⛸❄🕊

[@jpaultelchannel1702]

Surya Bonaly was the best.... And they (White and Asian judges) hated her. She was as good in skating as Simone is in gymnastics, but try as she did to win the gold, her efforts were always frustrated.

[@patriciavonjohnson489]

Just WOW‼️

[@nucleus2851]

I like seeing blk people freestyle the footwork is phenomenal.

[@Jamesandcheraylucas]

AWESOME 👏👏👏👉 ❤️❤️❤️😊👌

[@gloria7876]

My vote for number 1 would be Debi Thomas. She was focused and at the top of her game in skating. She was also attending college and that made us proud. Surya Bonaly could jump but had weak edges and technique. Somersault jumps are not allowed in skating competition.

[@manasataAmbazonia]

May they All be blessed. I love Surya

[@Ehlerinna]

I remember the craze in the 90s in France for Surya Bonaly and Philippe Candeloro. I don't think there was a little girl in France who wasn't a fan of these two. And it was so frustrating to see Surya lose because she was supposedly not feminine enough or graceful enough. When I was little I didn't understand why she didn't win. It was later, once I grew up, that I became aware of the racism still too present in this sport and then Surya was a rebel, ahead of her time.

[@JD-vi4qk]

I'm glad this is only your opinion of who you like and not reality ,some of the best and most decorated skaters are at the bottom of the list, below the beginners, why?, be honest😎

[@pandorapink1227]

🔥

[@ertfgghhhh]

I like this list, terry. Thanks

[@drsuessl]

The only skater I don’t like out of here here, is Surya. She couldn’t see that her skating was not pretty. She had strength but little grace. I wish that you had included Rory Flack (Alaska). She has it all !! Grace, strength and maturity as a professional. Please include Rory in future videos. Her skating is moving.

[@dranchd6571]

People never want to admit color as an issue, especially the darkest hues. Denial makes the world harmonious.

[@CodyCole80]

That’s your opinion. I think Surya is extremely graceful.

[@crwright1492]

Angels On Ice!

[@JESUSONLY238]

This video is so encouraging. We are some AMAZING people. There is nothing we can't do or accomplish. We were created to SUCCEED.

[@Grizzlied555]

Sure, as long as you keep injecting yourselves with drugs.

[@scottweber2297]

There’s 10?

[@brothermouzone1307]

You beat me to it. I feel sorry for number 11.

[@shirleyswagger9438]

We Excell in whatever we choose to do

[@Grizzlied555]

Yeah as long as you keep injecting drugs in your veins!

[@crwright1492]

WoW

[@teresasmith4446]

I honestly think you have this wrong I think it should be Debbie Thomas number one don't get me wrong Syria bonally is very nice and I do enjoy watching her figure skate but she's never won an Olympic medal of any color I am not African American but I do like seeing figure skating and people of all nationalities compete I like the diversity of it or like to see more diversity in it should I say God bless stay safe thanks for the video

[@gloria7876]

I forgot! Debi Thomas should be the number 1 black skater because she was a National champion, a world champion. She is also an Olympic medalist. Surya Bonaly was European champion 5 times. Bonaly never won a world title or an Olympic medal.

[@kasharacarter597]

Man this buffering so bad on terry channel about the black ice skaters smh...i left & went the white folks & it ain't been interrupted since ijs

[@crwright1492]

Hip Hop On Ice - where is the next even

[@davidh.4220]

Where is Rohene Ward? And Rory Flack? They are more decorated and renowned than some of these skaters. I'm not attacking any of the listed skaters accomplishments, but I think the mark was missed in the ranking and omitting. Oh well. I didn't take the initiative to create this salute. I am just stating my opinion. Thank you for your efforts.

[@AKC357]

It Wasn’t Just About Skin PigMenTation, As Much As It Was About they KNOWING SHE WAS WWWWWWWWAAAAAAAYYYYYY BETTER❤️👍🏾❗️❗️❗️

[@joycebatts2693]

!

[@candicane2881]

♡

[@nixoessekotto1781]

Bonaly the best & the rebel

[@paolocastellano2771]

What about Rory Flack? She was both athletic and artistic. Elegant and explosive... In the professional championships, she beat Caryn Kadavy, Denise Bielann, And RosLynn Sumners, All of which had Olympic and World Championship Medals.. Sure she never won worlds or Olympics but she was the whole package of Artistry , Athleticism and Feminine Beauty... kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6bGnX9qabWMiLc kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJzEfJytp5pkq6M

[@monicadouglas4213]

Enjoy but tell their story

[@jacksonross2242]

How disrespectful to debi Thomas she was a two time U.S champion a world champion and six time international champion she won skate america she won skate canada she won st ivel she won olympic festival and many more titles surya bonaly never won worlds she wasn't good enough and her sportsmanship wasn't that great in 1994 when she lost to Japan's Sato... do your research and go sit down somewhere

[@zarario4444]

That was Surya in 1994 world championship where Surya displayed poor sportsmamship winning silver to Yuka Sato.

[@crystalriley9671]

Surya Bonayl was banned and was not a media darling like Debi Thomas. I agree that Debi Thomas was good, but Surya's skating was next level! If you are judging this on a global level, I can see how she would be # 1. The associations did not want to see a dark-skinned woman doing the impossible on skates, they never allowed her to win anything. Listen to the commentators on those old tapes and how the judges talked about her, it was so insulting I had to turn off the tv. You will hear the comments that would now get people fired for saying, " she doesn't look graceful " or " she is too muscular" all coded language. Sad, but true.

[@jacksonross2242]

@@crystalriley9671 it's not that they didn't want to see a dark skin girl skate , she was never good enough, had she skated for the U.S . She would not have made it out of the top twenty. The judging was fair. She never learned how to skate gracefully and flow out of her jumps. Do you know what great skating is its not about bad positions. You don't know skating. So go sit down somewhere and learn the sport

[@jpaultelchannel1702]

@Jackson Ross, her sportsmanship wasn't considered great because that was at a time when people said aloud thing like "black people can't skate" and "she is not elegant enough" for ice skating. They wanted smallish, girly girl figures, preferable white, to do ice skating. There is an hour-long show on her and her skating where people openly said crap like that. In fact, many times, France wanted to drop her but she was always beating other competitors from France.

[@annecohen8927]

Don’t be too harsh on Surya Bonaly though ……..

[@rickysikes1631]

Surya Bonilay.

[@singuntothelordinspiredbyt9140]

How does this makes sense when there was only 10 black figure skaters in history ? It's not there was 100 and you are naming the best 10..hello?

[@carmenramonaromero1970]

TRADUZCAN AL ESPAÑOL, POR FAVOR !!!!!!!!

[@gettheedgenow7079]

Tai is not black. She's extraordinary, but she is Native American and Filipino.

[@TerrySwoopeVideos]

Her mother is black and her father is half Filipino and Native American.

[@gettheedgenow7079]

@@TerrySwoopeVideos Thanks for the edification... You are correct, she was half black. Thanks again, for such a wonderful video that took me back to my childhood. It was a fun ride...

[@jakemiles1427]

# 10 doesn't look blaque, he's clearly biracial or something, #8 looks likw she could be biracial as well. A few other look biracial as well.

[@60NXNP09]

Tai is a black woman though!

[@edwconr]

Dr. Debbi Thomas (orthopedic surgeon) must have been targeted; so important to ask: 'who, what, when, where, how, who told you that and why' so that you are not deliberately misled by 2 or 3 lying 'witnesses'.

[@CodyCole80]

She had tough time for a while. I hope she’s doing better.

[@gloria7876]

Debi Thomas and Vanessa James should be numbers 1 and 2. Both of them had the best technique; and better technique than Surya Bonaly. Debi and Vanessa also had lines and legs to die for. How could Mae Berenice Meite be ranked ahead of Vanessa James! Vanessa won medals. Mae Berenice did not!

[@dranchd6571]

Top 10 black, but not all are black.

[@tosinojo7310]

imagine showing the European gold medalist Venessa James without her actual partner morgan cipres...travesty

[@shirleygravesande5421]

Agree Tosin. Also Vanessa achieved her best results international fame and recognition skating with M. But I guess because this video is about black skaters and MC is white and is also not now being spoken about or link with Vanessa.

[@doctormelybellie]

@@shirleygravesande5421 he could’ve at least posted her videos with Yannick Bonheur who she went to the Olympics with and is black. Posting Vanessa with a hockey player… cringe. How on earth is Robin Szolkowy not featured? This video is a nice gesture but leaves out many accomplished black skaters… Rohene Ward, Derrick Delmore etc.

[@shirleygravesande5421]

@@doctormelybellie Hi Melyssa. I totally agree with your comments. Millions including I, know about Vanessa's achievements with M but not much about her previous achievements. Vanessa and Yannick skated some beautiful choreographed programmes in the 2.5 years of their partnership winning many medals nationally for France. Also a notable piece of information that's been left out here, which everyone needs to be made aware of is that Vanessa and Yannick made history as being the 1st black pairs skaters to compete in an Olympics in 2010 in Vancouver. Yes indeed Robin Szolkowy, a decorated pairs skater and 2 times Olympian and bronze medallist. Look at his overall phenomenal achievements especially during his 11 year partnership with Aljona Savchenko..Robin is 5 time World champion, 4 time European champion, 4 times Grand Prix Final champion and 8 times German national champion. Robin, Yannick, Derrick, Rohene and others like them needs more recognition, to be widely celebrated and their names and achievements memorized. I wish your sister Vanessa continual success and God's devine blessings. She has given so much joy to so many. In my 40 years of being an avid fan of ice skating I have not felt so drawn to a pair such as V&M... what a style, powerful, expressive, sublime, poetry in motion. Well, I await Vanessa's upcoming performances with her new partner to see if I will once again be 'drawn'.BLESSINGS.

[@GiveHimGlory]

Tai was not black.

[@magsbayou]

I didn't think so either but a quick look and she is half black and half filipino/native american. She was recognized as the first skater with african american descent.

[@jamesclarke7185]

A back flip does not a champion