Team Canada finished in first place during the Rhythmic Gymnastics competition at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK from August 4 to 6. On the first day of competition, the team composed of Tatiana Cocsanova (Questo RG, QC), Carmel Kallemaa (Glimmer Athletes, ON), and Suzanna Shahbazian (Questo RG, QC) captured the gold medal during the team finals.
“I am very proud of the team. To win the team gold on day one was such an exhilarating experience,” shared Teresa Orr, National Team Director, following the competition. “Although an All-Around Final medal was not meant to be they proved themselves in the apparatus finals by performing memorable routines with desire and determination in front of a very appreciative audience. The team will be building on their experience as they prepare for the World Championships next month.”
Carmel Kallemaa (Glimmer Athletics, ON) and Suzanna Shahbazian (Questo RG, QC) competed in the All-Around finals on the second day of the Rhythmic competition. Kallemaa finished in sixth place, while Shahbazian captured eighth place during the All-Around finals.
On the third and final day of competition for Rhythmic Gymnastics, Team Canada occupied six of a possible eight spots in the apparatus finals. The competition concluded with four medal finishes, including two silver medals and two bronze medals. Carmel Kallemaa (Glimmer Athletics, ON) captured the silver medal during the Clubs final, as well as the bronze medal in both the Ribbon and Hoop finals. Suzanna Shahbazian (Questo RG, QC) captured the silver medal in the Ball final.
“I was very proud to be chosen to represent Canada and felt a huge responsibility as I was part of a small team of three. Nevertheless, our team made it to the top of the podium, and nothing could compare to the feeling of raising the Canadian flag and hearing the anthem in the Arena Birmingham,” shared silver medallist Suzanna Shabazian. “I was also very happy to contribute to the total medal count for Canada by taking silver in the Ball final. I am very grateful to the crowd which was cheering and supportive. My deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to this success (my coaches, GymCan, and all the members of my club Questo RG). There is always a place for improvement, and I hope to perform better in the upcoming competitions.”
For full results from the 2022 Commonwealth Games please visit: https://www.birmingham2022.com/sports/rhythmic-gymnastics/e41e3673-a9d6-479d-be41-5a1a3156d052
ABOUT GYMNASTICS CANADA
First established in 1969, Gymnastics Canada has been supporting the mastery of movement in Canada for five decades as the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in Canada. We work closely with the twelve provincial federations and 700 local clubs to provide a broad range of programs and services to meet the needs of all participants. From athlete development to coach and judge education, Gymnastics Canada sets the operating standards and practices for the sport in Canada. Our mandate is to promote and provide positive and diverse gymnastics experiences through the delivery of quality and safe gymnastics programming. Visit www.gymcan.org for more information or follow us @gymcan1. From here, we soar.
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For more information, contact:
Taylor Matthews
Communications
Gymnastics Canada
comms@gymcan.org