Legendary Surya Bonaly inspires young Vietnamese figure skaters
WVR - On the afternoon of March 24, in Hanoi, French figure skating legend Surya Bonaly conducted an inspiring training session and exchange with young Vietnamese athletes.
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| Legendary skater Surya Bonaly poses for a commemorative photo with the organizers and young athletes. |
A fortuitous connection
Surya Bonaly's visit to Vietnam was initiated by an invitation from the French International School Alexandre Yersin (LFAY), which decided to name its sports hall after her.
On this occasion, the French Embassy in Vietnam, in collaboration with the Vietnam Sports Administration (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), organized an intensive training session, providing an opportunity for young Vietnamese athletes to learn directly from the legendary athlete.
The event is part of a sports cooperation strategy between the French Embassy and Vietnamese authorities, starting from the Paris 2024 Olympics, aimed at promoting professional development.
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| Mr. Arnaud Pannier shares about the event. |
Mr. Arnaud Pannier, Education Cooperation Attaché at the French Embassy in Vietnam, emphasized: “We are working hard to send Vietnamese athletes to France for training, helping them access an international professional environment. Visits from legendary coaches and athletes like Surya Bonaly are golden opportunities for young people to learn directly from top experiences.”
According to Mr. Arnaud Pannier, these exchanges are crucial stepping stones for Vietnamese athletes aiming for major arenas such as the Asian Games (ASIAD) in Japan or further, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Sharing about her trip, athlete Surya Bonaly expressed: “For me, being here is an inspiring and meaningful mission. From the moment I stepped onto the ice rink, witnessing the eagerness, effort, and passion in the eyes of young athletes truly moved me. The training session was not just about imparting techniques, but also an opportunity for me to connect, spread love for figure skating, and instill confidence in the next generation.”
Lessons from a legend
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| Legendary skater Surya Bonaly. (Photo: Bach Duong) |
For Vietnamese athletes, being directly guided by a legend like Surya Bonaly was a surprise and a great honor.
Athlete Pham Hoai Anh (17 years old) excitedly shared: “I had only seen her on screen before, never expecting to meet her in person. She meticulously guided and corrected each movement on the ice, helping me learn many valuable experiences.
Her skating style is explosive and full of energy. I am particularly impressed by her jumping technique and the stability in her rhythm. This motivates me to continue pursuing the professional figure skating path I am being trained in.”
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| Young talent Pham Hoai Anh is being trained at the Vietnam Skating and Roller Federation. (Photo: Bach Duong) |
During the session, figure skater Surya Bonaly imparted techniques ranging from basic to advanced. She particularly focused on correcting jumps and spins, while also guiding basic backward skating steps to help students improve skills and enhance flexibility in each movement.
The young ones were impressed by Surya Bonaly's gentle and meticulous coaching style. Little Bao Han (7 years old) excitedly recounted: “I used to find the sit spin the hardest, but after being taught by her from leg positioning to the Bunny Hop jump, I feel I've improved a lot.”
Little Que Chi (6 years old) shared: “I feel more confident after she corrected my spin and backward skating techniques. I've also learned to balance better and am no longer afraid of performing difficult moves.”
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| Skater Surya Bonaly training on the Royal City ice rink. |
After the session, many athletes confidently affirmed that their skills had significantly improved. Not only did they execute movements correctly, but they also made notable progress in stability, balance, and body control on the ice.
Particularly with challenging techniques like the sit spin – which requires harmonious coordination of force, axis, and flexibility – the students gradually performed more smoothly, reducing hesitation and gaining confidence with each performance.
This progress stems not only from diligent practice but also from meticulous, easy-to-understand guidance, helping them grasp technical foundations and develop movement thinking methodically.
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| Little Que Chi poses with legend Surya Bonaly. (Photo: Bach Duong) |
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| Little Bao Han expresses joy at meeting legend Surya Bonaly. (Photo: Bach Duong) |
Nurturing professional dreams
According to Surya Bonaly, sports play a crucial role in helping children, especially Generation Z, move away from dependency on electronic devices and the virtual world. She emphasized that the ice rink is not only a place for physical training but also helps build confidence, discipline, and resilience.
Sharing her perspective on tropical countries like Vietnam, she stated: “I think investors should consider integrating ice rinks when building shopping centers or hotels. In hot and humid weather, this is an ideal space for children to relieve stress and engage in positive physical activities.”
She affirmed that her primary goal is not just to train champions but to inspire children to maintain their passion, desire to visit the ice rink every day, and continuously improve.
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| Surya Bonaly interacts with athletes. (Photo: Bach Duong) |
Little Bao Han expressed: “After the session, I feel I've improved a lot and love figure skating even more. I hope to one day become a professional athlete like Surya Bonaly.”
The presence of legend Surya Bonaly in Hanoi has brought new energy to the budding figure skating scene in Vietnam. Her valuable experiences and positive energy are expected to become essential assets, helping young athletes confidently reach out to international arenas.
| Surya Bonaly is one of the world's most accomplished and distinctive figure skaters, having participated in the Winter Olympics three times, won three World silver medals, nine French national titles, and five European championships. She is known for her powerful and creative performances, notably the backflip landing on one foot at the Olympic arena – a symbolic mark in the sport's history. |
