The Canadian roster is highlighted by a pair of 2012 Olympians, including Ellie Black, a Dalhousie University student from Halifax on the artistic side, and Kelsey Titmarsh, a Ryerson University student from Thornhill, Ont., in rhythmic events.
Rounding out the women’s artistic lineup are Erica Devereaux of Logy Bay, Nfld., Sarah Flett of Winnipeg, Natalie Gervais, also of Winnipeg, and Mackenzie Itcush of Calgary. They will be accompanied in Russia by coaches David Kikuchi and Jeremy Mosier, as well as team leader Rachelle Valel.
The men’s artistic squad is comprised of Evan Cruz of Halifax, Tariq Dowers of Mississauga, Ont., Aiden Marsden of Edmonton, Cory Paterson of Oakville, Ont., and Joshua Stuart of Richmond, B.C., who will perform under the leadership of coach Christopher Foo and team leader William Greg Jackson.
Kelsey Anderson of Vernon, B.C., joins Titmarsh on the rhythmic roster, along with team leader Tatsiana Kastsenkava.
Canada will compete at the Universiade in women’s artistic gymnastics for the first time since 1999. …
Ariel Crawford, SK, National Open – performing her original mount (Canadian “D”) Press to 1-arm handstand full pirouette hip circle — at Carleton University.
Day 2 we waited to watch Ariel’s cool routine including this very cool mount.
… She left out the backward hip circle. 😦
She’d been told after Day 1 it was a big deduction.
Some sort of nonsense about her “elbows being bent on backward hip circle“.
I’d ask the Judges to show us a video of a gymnast doing that skill with straight elbows. It’s impossible.
Check the elbows on some similar skills including backward hip circle.
Arabian Punch Front posted a lengthy interview with the Canadian Olympic Vault finalist now a star with Georgia.
What was it like being in the Olympic village with athletes from all over the world?
It’s kinda cool because I look up to a lot of them because of their accomplishments and where they’re from. It’s jaw-dropping knowing we’re at the same level and it’s anyone’s game really. It motivated me to do even better.
Were there any athletes you were hoping to meet?
The whole American team is pretty cool to meet because there’s so much hype about them but they’re so down to earth. We would have lunch with them in the dining hall and it was really cool to connect with them on another level other than just gymnastics. The coolest person I met was Michael Phelps – he’s a pretty big time athlete so that was pretty cool.
On the unexpected Olympic Team Finals:
… Looking up in the crowd, you just can’t take the smile off your face! I know gymnasts are supposed to be focused and have this poker face but … I just couldn’t hold it in. I was so happy we were there! Once you got in your element, you look around and think, “Oh my God. This is intense!” You see the US over there, Russia over there. “Wow! We actually did this!” …
What was NCAA Nationals like for you considering the history and the reputation that Georgia has?
… It was kind of like a replay of the Olympics. Like, we hadn’t made finals in so long or ever for Canada. It was really cool being a part of that and just knowing that you made the next step into our ultimate goal, winning NCAA Championships. It was nice getting our foot in the door and showed everyone that we’re back on track.
So we’re looking at Worlds 2014 and Rio 2016 is not ruled out?
Oh, Rio is definitely not ruled out! I think Rio is my ultimate goal. If I could help at a World Championships, then I would absolutely love that. If they need me on vault and bars, then I will go for vault and bars.
Who are your role models … ?
In the sport – Nastia, Shawn, and Shayla. I don’t know – the whole American team is unreal and amazing. One fellow Canadian, Kate Richardson, who has the best ever finish for Canada in the all around. She came from my current coach, David Kenwright, and she’s just honestly, one of the sweetest girls I’ve ever met and an amazing athlete …
Brittany winning the beam title at SEC Championships with a 9.95. The Rogers at 0:30
The Brazil Trophy, an event which includes competitions for MAG, WAG and Rhythmic Gymnastics, took place this past week-end (24th – 26th of May) in Toledo.
The Women’s Artistic Gymnastics competition was dominated by Rebeca Andrade from Regatas do Flamengo. The 2012 Junior South American champion finished the all around competition more than three points ahead of the silver medalist, Lorrane Oliveira from Cegin; Leticia Costa from Flamengo placed third. …
This week our guest is World team medalist, Olympian, 2013 American Cup Champion, former Oklahoma Sooner, and founder of Mesomorphic Clothing, Jake Dalton.
He tells us about: how his female coach, Wanda Fredericks, and skateboarding videos helped him with his air sense, choosing Oklahoma, being a sex symbol, how he proposed to Kayla Nowak, which TV show sparked the idea for his company, what it was like to compete in the Pro Gymnastics Challenge, what new skills he’s working on, training for the specific equipment that will be used at Worlds in Belgium, how he got his toe point, advice for gymnastics parents and the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma.