Uchida’s score of 16.700, with a difficulty score of 9.1, is her highest of the season, and sets her up well for the remaining three apparatus which will be contested over the next three days.
“It definitely feels good to start the World Championships with my highest score of the season. I even cried when I saw my score because I couldn’t believe my eyes. Now, I obviously want to continue the competition with the same quality in my performances – but having a good start gives me a real confidence boost for my upcoming routines,” said Uchida following the competition.
World Championships veteran Carmen Whelan of Aurora, ON also had a strong showing, scoring 15.850 to finish 45th overall and 22nd in ball.
Making her World Championships debut, 2018 Canadian senior all-around champion – Sophie Crane of Toronto, put her experience of having competed in the competition venue twice in the past to good use as she took to the floor first for Canada and scored 15.450 to finish the day sitting 53rd, and 28th in ball.
‘It always helps to have a good start especially at Worlds when they compete only one apparatus per day,” said Teresa Orr, national team director for rhythmic gymnastics at Gymnastics Canada. “We are very pleased with Canada’s ball results and will now focus on tomorrow’s hoop competition.”
The finals for hoop and ball, which will feature the top-8 athletes in each apparatus, will close out the day tomorrow following the rest of the qualification rounds for the two apparatus. CBC Sports will live stream the apparatus finals on their platforms starting at 12:55 ET.
ABOUT GYMNASTICS CANADA
First established in 1969, Gymnastics Canada is the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in Canada. Gymnastics Canada works closely with the twelve provincial and territorial federations and 700 local clubs to provide a broad range of programs and services to meet the needs of our over 325,000 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 experience through the delivery of quality and safe gymnastics programming. Visit www.gymcan.org for more information, or follow us @CDNgymnastics.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Julie Forget
Director, Communications & Marketing
Gymnastics Canada
819.210.2064
jforget@gymcan.org