Atoy Wilson | |
---|---|
Born | 1951 or 1952 |
Figure skating career | |
Country | United States |
Retired | 1971 |
Atoy Wilson (born around 1951 or 1952) [1] is a retired American figure skater. Coached by Mabel Fairbanks and then Peter Betts, he represented the Los Angeles Skating Club. [1]
Wilson began skating when he was eight years old; he asked for lessons after seeing an Ice Follies performance. [2] In 1965, he was the first African-American skater to compete at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, placing second in the novice division. [3] He and his mother were unable to stay at the official competition hotel, as it was segregated and only allowed white guests. [4] At the 1966 championships, he won the novice title despite falling on his first jump in his free skate and became the first black skater to win a national title in figure skating. [2] [4]
Afterward, he moved up to the junior level and then qualified for the senior level, but in 1969, he chose to pursue a degree at Loyola Marymount University and finished his competitive career rather than attempt to qualify for the 1972 Winter Olympics team. [4] He toured professionally with Ice Follies and Holiday on Ice from 1971 until 1988. [5]
Following his retirement as a performer, Wilson was a coach and assistant director of ice skating schools for Hyatt Regency hotels in Dubai. A stint on the business side of Warner Brothers followed, and he is currently involved in production accounting for the television industry. [1] In 2025, he was added to the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame. [4]
National | ||
---|---|---|
Event | 1965 | 1966 |
U.S. Championships | 2nd N. | 1st N. |
N. = Novice level |
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