OTTAWA, ON (November 7, 2022) – Team Canada competed in the 51st FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Liverpool, GBR from October 29 to November 7. Ellie Black, team captain of the women’s artistic gymnastics team, returned home a double medalist following the competition.
The women’s artistic gymnastics team has won its first ever bronze medal at the 2022 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in the team finals. This podium finish secures Team Canada a ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Team Canada included veteran Ellie Black (Halifax Alta, NS), as well as four gymnasts who have made their first appearance at the World Championships: Laurie Denommée (Wimgym, QC), Denelle Pedrick (Halifax Alta, NS), Emma Spence (Burlington Gymnastics Club, ON), and Sydney Turner (TAG Sports Centre, BC).
“I couldn’t believe it and I didn’t want them to joke with me that we maybe could be third,” Black said. “I’m just blown away. I’m so proud of the team. Going into the final we were eighth and we said we could only go up from there.”
In the men’s artistic gymnastic team competition, the team finished in 10th place after qualifications, less than two points behind the final qualifier. Team Canada included Zachary Clay (Twisters Gymnastics Club, BC), Felix Dolci (Laval Excellence, QC), William Emard (Laval Excellence, QC), Chris Kaji (Gymnastics Mississauga, ON), Kenji Tamane (Laval Excellence, QC), and Sam Zakutney (Laval Excellence, QC).
“This is the first time since 2006 that we have achieved this result,” shared Emard following the competition. “We may have missed out on the team final but being in the top 12 going into 2023 means there is great potential for Paris 2024.”
Ellie Black (Halifax Alta, NS) qualified 11th in the All-Around competition, but made significant progress to finish 5th in the All-Around Women’s finals. She finished with a total score of 54.732 on day six of the competition. Black also qualified for two apparatus finals, Balance Beam and Vault. She captured a silver medal on the Balance Beam after a beautiful performance. Black narrowly missed out on a podium finish on the Vault, finishing in 4th place.
Zachary Clay (Twisters Gymnastics Club, BC) captured the highest finish from the Canadian men’s team during the Pommel Horse qualification, where he finished in 11th place. Felix Dolci (Laval Excellence, QC) finished 35th in the men’s All-Around qualifications.
For full competition results, visit: https://live.gymnastics.sport/schedule.php?idevent=15871
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For more information, contact:
Taylor Matthews
Communications
Gymnastics Canada
comms@gymcan.org