Held virtually, the 2021 Canadian Championships saw over 100 athletes submit videos of their routines taken at their home gyms from, November 9 to 23. Judging then took place November 27and 28. Awards were handed out for the following categories: Junior 14-15, Junior 16-18, Open, Next Gen and Senior 21+. This event served as part of the carding process and National Team Selection.
Due to the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and as the competitions were held within close timelines to the World Championships, some athletes elected not to compete. New Champions were crowned in all categories:
Victor Canuel (École les Dynamix, QC) finished 1st All-Around in the Junior 14-15 category (74.866), in addition to winning the silver medal on vault and bronze on rings with the 2 Junior categories combined. “I am very happy and honored to win this title of Canadian Champion for my very first National Championships. This title is the best reward for all the efforts and hard work I put in during these long months of difficulties and questioning due to the pandemic. It is the accomplishment of all the work done until today, and I hope, the beginning of even greater adventures. “
Kai Iwaasa (Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics, BC) finished 1st All-Around in the Junior 16-18 category (77.566), in addition to winning gold on rings (13.20) and high bar (12.85), silver on floor, and bronze on parallel bars. “I’m very happy with my Canadian Championships performances, as I was returning from a recent injury which affected my routine composition. Despite the set-back, I was able to perform what I prepared and feel completely satisfied. I’m grateful to my coaches and physiotherapist who helped me overcome the unexpected injuries and complications along the way.”
James Doucette (Ottawa Gymnastics Centre, ON) finished 1st All-Around in the Open category (71.833).
Félix Blaquière (Centre Père Sablon, QC) finished 1st All-Around in the Next Gen category (80.383). His AA score was the best of all Senior categories combined. In addition, he was able to finish the competition with gold medals on floor, rings, and high bar. “I am very satisfied with my performance. Although the last two years were full of uncertainties and the preparation was not always easy, I managed to demonstrate a stability that I am particularly proud of. That said, I look forward to proving that I have the ability to replicate such a performance, in person, in front of the judges as well as the spectators.” said Blaquière.
Chris Kaji (Gymnastics Mississauga, ON) finished 1st All-Around in the Senior 21+ category (77.383). Kaji also won the silver medal on parallel bars and the bronze on rings. “At this point in time, I am very satisfied with my performance. Although this competition did not go perfectly, this event demonstrated that I am capable of being a top all-around athlete. I have recently returned from three international competitions where I only competed on rings whilst dealing with a shoulder injury. Thus, I am very pleased with my progress on the other five apparatuses. Considering we all endured the past two years filled with uncertainties and difficult training conditions, I am grateful to be competing. I strongly feel as though we, Team Canada, have much to offer for the upcoming cycle, continuously growing as a unit to reach a common goal, The Olympics. This is not the end, there is still work to be done.”
Other event finals winners in the Junior category were Léandre Sauvé from Centre Père Sablon, QC (floor – 14.00 and vault – 14.50), Patrick Talbot from Fundy Gymnastics, NB tied with Ethan Ikeda from Twisters Gymnastics, BC (pommel horse – 13.066), and Mathys Jalbert from Laval Excellence, QC (parallel bars – 13.433).
Other event finals winners in the Senior category were Nathan Yvars from École les Dynamix, QC (tied for 1st on floor – 13.20), Jayson Rampersad from Gymnastics Mississauga (pommel horse – 14.533), Mathieu Laprès from Imagym, QC (vault – 13.85), and René Cournyer from Gymnika, QC (parallel bars – 14.333).
Ed Van Hoof, the National Team Head Coach, felt as though the virtual Canadian Nationals rounded out a remarkable year. “My thanks and congratulations go to each and every one of the athletes, coaches and judges, as well as the GymCan staff, that made this event possible. Some individual performances, in each of the categories, truly stood out, showing the resilience that training in isolation can give. A fantastic achievement,” said Van Hoof, “To get back to the environment and atmosphere of the competition floor, with immediate feedback from the judges and observation of competitors, is something that we all desire. 2021 has been fraught with challenges, but I think that the virtual competitions have shown us the spirit and commitment that the Canadian Gymnastics community possesses.”
Full results are available here: http://gymcan.org/uploads/results_file/Official%20Results%20MAG.pdf
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Ian Moss
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Gymnastics Canada