These championships mark the final major event for the 2016-2020 Olympic cycle, and the first event leading into the 2021-2024 Paris quadrennial.
“We are pleased Canada was permitted one quota to compete at the 2021 World Championships. A new rule introduced this cycle is that federations must qualify for Worlds through their most recent Continental Championships,” explained Teresa Orr, National Team Director. Due to the pandemic, Canada did not participate at the Pan American Championships held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and therefore, was not able to qualify a team of two or three individuals.”
Canada will be represented by one individual athlete at these Championships. The delegation consists of the following members:
- Athlete: Katherine Uchida, Toronto, ON – Jusco RG
- Coach: Mimi Masleva
- Therapist: Sarah Elliott
- Judge: Daniela Arendasova
- Head of Delegation: Svetlana Joukova
“Katherine Uchida is an experienced rhythmic gymnast having competed in several World Championships. At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Uchida finished second all-around, and at the 2019 Pan American Games, she won two silver medals. The challenges Uchida has faced this past year with the pandemic and injuries has only made her stronger and more excited. I feel confident she will make her presence known on the floor.” said Orr.
“I am looking forward to competing in person after so long! I can’t wait to be back into the competition environment around my friends and competitors. It is always really exciting to represent Canada on the international stage,” said Uchida. “My focus for these championships is to produce clean routines and show the progress I’ve made since I was last seen at an international competition. I really want to go out there and enjoy myself – that’s usually when I perform my best.”
Uchida has been candid about the injuries she has experienced this season. When asked about her recovery, Uchida said “I was open about my recent back injury, and how it prevented me from competing at Canadian Championships. It was an injury that took me out of training and for a while, I was worried I wouldn’t recover in time for Worlds. Thanks to a lot of support, and so much hard work, I have been able to make a good recovery. I have found a new strength within myself, and I am looking forward to showing myself what I am capable of overcoming. This World Championships is not only a return after a long period away from international events, but it is also the marker for overcoming the obstacles I’ve been facing.”
RGI COMPETITION SCHEDULE (all times local GMT + 9)
- Wednesday, Oct 27 @ 10:00 – RGI Qualification (Hoop and Ball) – Canada is Group C
- Wednesday, Oct 27 @ 19:15 – RGI Hoop and Ball Finals
- Thursday, Oct 28 @10:00 – RGI Qualification (Clubs and Ribbon) – Canada is Group C
- Thursday, Oct. 28 @ 19:15– RGI Clubs and Ribbons Finals
- Saturday, Oct. 30 @ 14:30 – RGI All-Around Final
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:
Ian Moss
CEO
Gymnastics Canada