As concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic persisted, Elite Canada 2022 in trampoline gymnastics took place virtually alongside Elite Canada in women’s artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics. Video submissions took place from March 16-20, while judging took place from April 1-3 virtually.
In the trampoline competition, Samantha Smith (Shasta, BC) and Rémi Aubin (Dynamix, QC) captured first place finishes in the women’s and men’s senior events, respectively. Smith finished with a total score of 52.30, while Aubin finished with a total score of 58.06.
When asked about her performance, Samantha Smith shared, “After the Olympics in Tokyo, I took some time off training and competing. I have been working really hard to get back into competition shape. It felt great to compete again, and I am happy with my performance at Elite Canada! I am really excited to start competing in person next month at our first World Cup since 2019. I want to congratulate all competitors who have done a great job at adapting to virtual competitions.”
“The results were beyond expectations knowing that I had a difficult training sequence in the weeks prior to Elite Canada,” shared Aubin. “The positive outcome of the competition gives me confidence in preparation for the first World Cup of the season in Italy in May.”
In the senior women’s category, Kasha Noga Bard (Skyriders, ON) captured the second-place finish, and Maja Bonham (Shasta, BC) rounded out the podium in third. In the men’s senior category, Keegan Soehn (Thunder Country, AB) finished in second place, while Nathan Shuh (Skyriders, ON) finished in third.
In the double-mini trampoline (DMT) competition, Kieran Lupish (Burlington T&T, ON) finished in first place in the senior men’s category with a total score of 54.60. In the women’s senior category, Gabby Flynn (Shasta, BC) finished in first place with a total score of 50.50.
“It was a great pleasure to finally compete against all the other athletes from different provinces. I am so excited to be able to compete against all the other athletes again in person. Competing against other extremely talented athletes has always motivated me to push myself to be my best in the sport,” said Kieran Lupish. “I am grateful to be able to share a competition ground with all these talent athletes who I competed against.”
Hannah Metheral (T&T Adventure, SK) captured a second-place finish in the senior women’s DMT competition, while Hannah Brown (Skyriders, ON) finished in third. In the men’s competition, second place was awarded to Gavin Dodd (KGTC, BC) and Tyler Champagne (Calgary Gymnastics Centre, AB) captured a third-place finish.
In tumbling, Jordan Sugrim (Burlington T&T, ON) captured first place in the senior women’s competition with a total score of 45.86. The senior women’s podium also included Alexandra Siminuic (Oakville Gymnastics, ON) in second place, and Taylor Pilinger (VIP Gymsports, QC) in third. Justin Thompson (Quinte Bay, ON) captured first place in the senior men’s competiton with a total score of 48.70.
“Having the first virtual trial for World Games two weeks prior, I knew I had some major correcting to do. After two years off, I felt a little rusty and a little anxious at the thought of competing and it showed. I decided I needed to do things different, so I reassessed and put all the pieces in place to be more successful physically, and especially mentally,” shared Sugrim. “I am super happy with how Elite Canada went. I went in with very specific goals on how I wanted to attack my passes, and my efforts showed. I am pumped to have landed my four planned passes, which gave me room and confidence to start working upgrades.”
This event was the first selection event for the 2022 World Championships to be held this November in Sofia, Bulgaria. Prior to the 2022 World Championships, athletes will compete in the Canadian Championships in Calgary, Alberta from July 21-24.
“Congratulations to all the athletes and coaches who participated in these championships. We thank you for your dedication and perseverance over the past two years,” said Karen Cockburn, National Team Director. “We look forward to our next event where we will finally meet for an in-person competition at the Canadian Championships in July.”
Complete results for the 2022 Virtual Elite Canada competition in TG can be found here: http://www.gymcan.org/events-results/canada-cup/overview
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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