Such power and grace. Creator of famous, "Kurt Thomas Flair" that became so popular that break-dancers and b-boys across the globe still perform the move today. Rest In Power Champ!
Wow. His routines were so beautiful to watch. So classy, so flowy. I was just watching some routines by the Chinese from last years Worlds, and their routines just looked like a a series of skill strung together (even though they were performing much more difficult elements). The great thing about Kurt was how effortlessly elegant he made it all look. I remember being 5 and seeing him on TV; my mom put me in gym the next week and I never looked back. Kurt rocked!
RIP Mr. Thomas. With great admiration, I watched your athletic performances as I grew up in the 70s. The Thomas Flare was minted and coined during that time.
Just heard about Kurt's passing. Fact is, American Men's Gymnastics is indebted to Kurt Thomas for where they are right now ... *PERIOD.* We're gonna miss you, Kurt. Thanks for bringing it.
Just watching the U.S. mens team blow it on the pommel horse, then I remembered how good Kurt was back in the day. So I had to go on youtube to check out his routine again, forgot how good he was. His routine 33 years ago could still hold up today!
two things: Kurt set the stage for every gymnast to follow him from when he performed. And gawd yes didn't he make things look so so so easy. Talk about fluidity. I grew up during that period. It was because of him I got into gymnastics. He was amazing. Man....what a performer and person.
Such athletic grace and physicality he had, just amazing. He was easily at home on the gymnastics mat, bar, and trapeze. Thank you, Kurt Thomas, for sharing your gifts.
Kurt Thomas's moves are just amazing and almost...untouchable. Goodness! He was so talented and there is no doubt that he would have won medals in 1980. I even think that he would have excelled even more (under all that pressure) being in USSR, Moscow 1980 Olympics at the height of the Cold War. It is sad that he, along with other Olympians, were not allowed to compete in Moscow, but regardless, he is still one of the best gymnasts ever.
I wish I knew about gymnastics when I was young. Not just doing it but also watching. It's very impressive and as someone who enjoys rock climbing, I could see myself loving it. A shame he died so early for someone as healthy as him.
The first and last great American male gymnast! This was the only time an American male gymnast dominated at a world championship 1979, 41 years ago; Simone Biles type of dominance! Had the USA not boycotted the 1980 Olympics, he definitely would've faired well! RIP Kurt Thomas! You've left an everlasting impact on the sport of gymnastics!
Hard to believe someone so strong and vital is gone at such a young age. He should have lived another 20 years at least. Condolences to all who knew and loved this champion.
his landings are (and this is probably the wrong word) so "light." reminds me of ballet dancers - strength of stevedores but they use that strength to look weightless when they land bc of it. (byles' landings are different: she looks like she's immutably sucked into that spot. no less amazing but a different 'look' altogether.) p.s. he seems so less muscle-bound compared to modern male gymnasts. he clearly has all the same strength ... but lacks the giant "bulk". like if you saw him IRL, you'd just think he's fit.
1:19. This dude was amazing. I was in a Gymnastic team in Dominican republic back in the 90s . And even I never got the chance to do DOUBLE BACK FLIPPED. I did it once but with the springboard. The one they use in the NBA half time. But this dude did it and made it look easy. iT IS NOT EASY. You'd have to jump as high as the roof of a house in order to do that . No wonder he was in the Olympics
At 2 A.M. I woke up in bed. Suddenly a photo of this young man came to mind which at one time I possessed, from about 1980. And then I recalled his name and went to my computer to Google him. That's how I came to this video. Yes, it was unfortunate that he missed the 1980 Olympics. This is the first time I have seen him in action. He "nailed' his routines perfectly!
My favorite male gymnast. As a Nebraska fan and a Francis Allen fan., I really do wish he was at 1984. The Flair on both the floor and the horse is special. Still looking for his Salto on CZcams. Maybe the most dangerous move in the sport.
✌️ be unto you Thomas, surely gave the Breakdance Community something unique. An inspirational move for us all to look forward to, highly influential. "God Bless Kurt Bilteaux Thomas" 🙏#Amen
This guy had it all. Only to be denied his do. I think about him now and then. Always wondered what ever happened to him. I just happened to think about him. Even, to this day. GREATNRSS
Amazing strength and such compsed, fluid motions--this is what the gymnastics is all about! Awesome to watch, especially coming from a Crossfit background
KURT THOMAS WAS SOO GOOD. THE BEST!! He wouldn've won THE GOLD if Pres Carter hadn't pulled us out of the Olympics!! I will NEVER forgive Carter for that. I'll never forget you Kurt Thomas! Peace ♥
Amazing how far the sport has come in 30 years. When Kurt competed, he was leagues ahead of anybody else. Some of these routines wouldn't even win a JO Level 10 meet today.
I grew up in Terre Haute. We had two exceptional athletes at Indiana State when I was a kid - one from French Lick and the other who was the best gymnast ever in my opinion but his medals were denied by a Peanut Farmer!
1:47.. Someone watched this and said... We need to make a movie where this guy is running through a village of lunatics and there happens to be a pommel horse. This dude jumps on it and using his gymnastics moves beats the piss out of of the crowd.... 6 years later the movie gymkata was born.
@ironmaidenftw329 I totally agree! I thought about how much more beautiful this high bar routine is than the ones they use now. This has flow and beauty written all over it. Nowadays it's just 2-3 giants to set for a big trick, and then the big trick. And then again: 2-3 giants, big trick. It makes the routine so chopped up =( Also I like that it's a lot of swings that stop and reverse the direction!
Omg. That bar routine is out of this world! So hard to believe this was almost 45 years ago.
He was my inspiration for all my love of this sport. I will miss him greatly. RIP
Such power and grace. Creator of famous, "Kurt Thomas Flair" that became so popular that break-dancers and b-boys across the globe still perform the move today. Rest In Power Champ!
Wow. His routines were so beautiful to watch. So classy, so flowy. I was just watching some routines by the Chinese from last years Worlds, and their routines just looked like a a series of skill strung together (even though they were performing much more difficult elements).
The great thing about Kurt was how effortlessly elegant he made it all look. I remember being 5 and seeing him on TV; my mom put me in gym the next week and I never looked back.
Kurt rocked!
Rest in Peace, Kurt.
RIP Mr. Thomas. With great admiration, I watched your athletic performances as I grew up in the 70s. The Thomas Flare was minted and coined during that time.
RIP Kurt Thomas
Today's rioters would consider this racist.
Just heard about Kurt's passing. Fact is, American Men's Gymnastics is indebted to Kurt Thomas for where they are right now ... *PERIOD.*
We're gonna miss you, Kurt. Thanks for bringing it.
Damn he was good. I remember watching him. RIP.
Rest in Peace. Amazing strength and innovation
You were part of my child hood. Rest easy
Rest In Peace Mr Kurt Thomas.
Just watching the U.S. mens team blow it on the pommel horse, then I remembered how good Kurt was back in the day. So I had to go on youtube to check out his routine again, forgot how good he was. His routine 33 years ago could still hold up today!
R I P Kurt. I remember watching this on tv. You were awesome
two things: Kurt set the stage for every gymnast to follow him from when he performed. And gawd yes didn't he make things look so so so easy. Talk about fluidity. I grew up during that period. It was because of him I got into gymnastics. He was amazing. Man....what a performer and person.
Such athletic grace and physicality he had, just amazing. He was easily at home on the gymnastics mat, bar, and trapeze. Thank you, Kurt Thomas, for sharing your gifts.
I loved watching you perform. Rest In Peace Kurt.
I've never seen a high bar routine as beautiful as his. RIP Kurt Thomas. Thank you for your athleticism and inspiration.
Kurt Thomas's moves are just amazing and almost...untouchable. Goodness! He was so talented and there is no doubt that he would have won medals in 1980. I even think that he would have excelled even more (under all that pressure) being in USSR, Moscow 1980 Olympics at the height of the Cold War. It is sad that he, along with other Olympians, were not allowed to compete in Moscow, but regardless, he is still one of the best gymnasts ever.
Cold war was nothing more than a Psy-Op
RIP Kurt. You are missed. He made men's gymnastics into an art form.
Wow.
A force of nature.
God bless his wife and family.
His landings are insane! I've never seen so little bounce so consitently. It's like he's frikkin glued to the floor or something.
R.I.P. Kurt Thomas, June 5, 2020
I wish I knew about gymnastics when I was young. Not just doing it but also watching. It's very impressive and as someone who enjoys rock climbing, I could see myself loving it. A shame he died so early for someone as healthy as him.
I did gymnastics and rock climb now. There is definitely similar athleticism required!
Wow, amazing talent. RIP Champ. Prayers for your family.
The first and last great American male gymnast! This was the only time an American male gymnast dominated at a world championship 1979, 41 years ago; Simone Biles type of dominance! Had the USA not boycotted the 1980 Olympics, he definitely would've faired well!
RIP Kurt Thomas! You've left an everlasting impact on the sport of gymnastics!
Hard to believe someone so strong and vital is gone at such a young age. He should have lived another 20 years at least. Condolences to all who knew and loved this champion.
Still completely amazing after all these years.
Dude was the pioneer for his time -- tremendous economy of motion and crisp as hell. He got robbed in 1980.
I don't recall men's floor routines having as many on-the-floor skills as he does here--really nice choreography
All around pure multi talented athlete and the movie GymKata is a straight up classic!
An exceptional athlete and an innovative gymnast way ahead of his time. Epic!
He was my childhood favorite gymnast..The Best Ever! Damn.. Rest In Peace Kurt Thomas
Aww rip kurt may god be with his family
Truly a great Champion. RIP Kurt Thomas.
Man, he makes it look so...effortless!
The best that ever did it! 👍🏾✊🏾
He invented the Kurt Thomas Flair, which you see him execute on the Pummel horse. It's now pretty much standard technique.
I always thought that about him also, He could stick landing better than anyone.
his landings are (and this is probably the wrong word) so "light." reminds me of ballet dancers - strength of stevedores but they use that strength to look weightless when they land bc of it.
(byles' landings are different: she looks like she's immutably sucked into that spot. no less amazing but a different 'look' altogether.)
p.s. he seems so less muscle-bound compared to modern male gymnasts. he clearly has all the same strength ... but lacks the giant "bulk". like if you saw him IRL, you'd just think he's fit.
Rest in piece. as a kid , I could never master the Thomas Flare like he did True champion
God Speed Kurt Thomas
1:19. This dude was amazing. I was in a Gymnastic team in Dominican republic back in the 90s . And even I never got the chance to do DOUBLE BACK FLIPPED. I did it once but with the springboard. The one they use in the NBA half time. But this dude did it and made it look easy. iT IS NOT EASY. You'd have to jump as high as the roof of a house in order to do that . No wonder he was in the Olympics
whoa! crazy!
love how he just sprung into action on the high bar.
And he has PERFECT double backs... its crazy!
his landings are so smoooooooooooooth
R.I.P. Kurt. Thanks for the memories.
To this day I hate the fact that he was denied his Olympics in 1980. He was in peak form and would have dominated those games
Yes his routine is amazing even by todays standards, very heavy on innovation which you don't see so much today.
That dismount from High Bar is just unreal! It looked like he faced two different sides in a split second~
vidfreak727 ; Indiana dammit@@2@
sorry, I don't know the move names.
REST IN POWER LEGEND!
The father of modern gymnastics!
At 2 A.M. I woke up in bed. Suddenly a photo of this young man came to mind which at one time I possessed, from about 1980. And then I recalled his name and went to my computer to Google him. That's how I came to this video. Yes, it was unfortunate that he missed the 1980 Olympics. This is the first time I have seen him in action. He "nailed' his routines perfectly!
That's the master of gymkata right there. Of course he's gonna kick ass.
My favorite male gymnast. As a Nebraska fan and a Francis Allen fan., I really do wish he was at 1984. The Flair on both the floor and the horse is special. Still looking for his Salto on CZcams. Maybe the most dangerous move in the sport.
The reason I got into competitive gymnastics! 😁👍🇺🇸
✌️ be unto you Thomas, surely gave the Breakdance Community something unique. An inspirational move for us all to look forward to, highly influential. "God Bless Kurt Bilteaux Thomas" 🙏#Amen
He has a gym in Frisco, Tx. I'm actually there right now.
I heard the only reason why he got into gymnastics was to learn the pommel horse, for self-defense purposes. Amazing.
This guy had it all. Only to be denied his do. I think about him now and then. Always wondered what ever happened to him. I just happened to think about him. Even, to this day. GREATNRSS
I cant believe that is my coach
lucky you
Wow I’ve never seen routines from that era, floor actually looked artistic not just tumbling! Love it!
A true legend!R I Power my dude!Awesome gymnast!
holy shit! did this guy invent fricking gymnastics or sumthing, he is a legend!!
Just beautiful.
R. I. P Kurt Thomas best of the best. 🙌🏾👑🙌🏾
Amazing strength and such compsed, fluid motions--this is what the gymnastics is all about! Awesome to watch, especially coming from a Crossfit background
Amazing feat of human ability and focus!
SIEMPRE SERAS RECORDADO COMO UN GRANDE THOMAS !!!
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Y .....EEUU ....Lo sabe .😔
American Artistic Gymnast, Kurt Thomas is passed away to his heaven for Rest in Peace. 😓
Gymkata in action. Absolutely impressive
yes
He is fantastic.
I prefer old time gymnastics to the routines today. RIP Kurt.
Gymkata is a powerful art. RIP Kurt Thomas.
All I have to say: WOW!
Bow my head to this man!
briliant
this guy is strong!
I am in awe. The guy was incredible, the boycott really messed up his chances for Olympic glory.
His flair is now a staple power move for break dancers
Its amazing how different gymnastics is today. It has changed so much. It is really cool to see this old style of gymnastics.
R.I.P.
...grande Kurt THOMAS....todavìa recuerdo sus famosas tijeras que èl las inventò....grande...
RIP.
KURT THOMAS WAS SOO GOOD. THE BEST!! He wouldn've won THE GOLD if Pres Carter hadn't pulled us out of the Olympics!! I will NEVER forgive Carter for that. I'll never forget you Kurt Thomas! Peace ♥
Amazing how far the sport has come in 30 years.
When Kurt competed, he was leagues ahead of anybody else. Some of these routines wouldn't even win a JO Level 10 meet today.
Rest in peace.
he should get 10.000 i hope he did
RIP kirt Thomas
A REAL life Spider-Man!!!
wow he makes it look easy "!
that's what you called THOMAS FLAIR in break dancing
I grew up in Terre Haute. We had two exceptional athletes at Indiana State when I was a kid - one from French Lick and the other who was the best gymnast ever in my opinion but his medals were denied by a Peanut Farmer!
The best.
So, this is the Thomas Salto move....
So much better than todays men gymnasts
1:47.. Someone watched this and said... We need to make a movie where this guy is running through a village of lunatics and there happens to be a pommel horse. This dude jumps on it and using his gymnastics moves beats the piss out of of the crowd.... 6 years later the movie gymkata was born.
future breakdancers taken notes
yep... watching the 2012 games... no one did the flare...
Wow!!!!!!
@ironmaidenftw329
I totally agree! I thought about how much more beautiful this high bar routine is than the ones they use now. This has flow and beauty written all over it. Nowadays it's just 2-3 giants to set for a big trick, and then the big trick. And then again: 2-3 giants, big trick. It makes the routine so chopped up =( Also I like that it's a lot of swings that stop and reverse the direction!
RIP
Is the Thomas Flair named after him?
HinenoChikyuu ,yes.