Bianca Dancose-Giambattisto
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Bianca and coach Galina
Larchina pose
after her win in Puerto Rico, 2011
Photo courtesy of Bianca Dancose-Giambattist
High Performance Highlights
2011 Puerto Rico Cup: 2nd AA, 1st UB, 1st BB, 3rd FX
2011 Canadian Championships: 3rd AA, 1st UB
2011 Wild Rose: 4th T, 4th AA, 1st UB, 7th BB
2011 L'International Gymnix: 11th AA, 2nd UB, 10th BB
2010 World Championships: 13th T
2010 Sr Pan Am Championships: 2nd T
2010 Canadian Championships: 5th AA, 3rd UB, 3rd BB
2010 Wild Rose: 11th AA, 5th BB
2010 Doha World Cup: 3rd UB, 4th BB, 8th FX
2010 L'International Gymnix: 4th AA, 2nd UB, 2nd BB
2010 WOGA Classic
2009 Tournoi Int. de Combs: 2nd AA, 2nd UB, 1st BB
Earlier this month (Juy 2011), Bianca Dancose-Giambattisto traveled to San Juan
for the Puerto Rico Cup. Planning to compete only bars and beam, she
arrived to find her senior teammates unable to compete.
Unfazed, Bianca decided to compete the all-around, placing second. She
went on to win 3 medals in the apparatus, continuing to show improved
technique.
Especially strong on bars and beam, she fills a niche roll amongst a
team that is suddenly - and uncharacteristically for Canada! - strong on
vault. But as Puerto Rico ( and Canadian Nationals earlier this year) showed,
she can also more than hold her own in all-around competition. She's a
favourite heading into the selection camp for the World Championships team
in Tokyo, Japan later this year.
In this exclusive, Gymn.ca talks to the 2010 World Championships team
member about gymnastics past,
present, and future! Bianca also takes us outside the gym, showing us the
desert in Qatar.
Gymn.ca:
How
did you get started in gymnastics?
Bianca:
I was a very active and curious child, always climbing up the monkey
bars at the park. At 4 years old, my mom signed me up for a toddlers gym
course once a week and the passion for the sport just grew as I got
older.
I
realized I could contend for spots on World and Olympic teams when I
jumped into the senior category. Finally competing against the best in
Canada and proving that I was among them, I said to myself "I could
do this" and started training extremely hard to reach those big
goals.
My
family is very sports oriented! Skiing, hiking and outdoors activities
have always been a big part of our lives.
Gymn.ca:
What
sort of programme or approach do you have in place, leading up to the
2012 Olympics?
Bianca:
The
main focus is stability. As a gymnast fighting for a spot on the Olympic
team, I must prove that I am stable and able to compete an excellent
routine wherever, whenever and regardless of the circumstances.
Perfecting execution and increasing difficulty are always part of our
training plan. World and Panams trials at the end of August and World
Cups in either Belgium or Russia in September are my upcoming
competitions.
Gymn.ca:
You've
shown tremendous improvement over the past 8 or so months, especially on
form. To what do you contribute this big improvement?
Bianca:
Hard
work in the gym, repetition and constant feedback from my coaches have
certainly helped me improve. Balancing training in the gym, mental work
(I
do visualization, concentration and relaxation exercises)
and specific muscle strengthening have also contributed to my progress.
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Bianca enjoys the desert in
Qatar, after competing at the Doha World Cup
Photo courtesy of Bianca Dancose-Giambattisto
Gymn.ca:
What
are 2-3 of your most memorable trips abroad, for gymnastics?
Bianca:
My first world cup in Doha, Qatar will remain an unforgettable
experience. Discovering a new culture and exploring the desert at the
other end of the world was awesome.
Another
memorable trip was of course participating in the 2010 World
Championships in Rotterdam. Being able to compete as a team and getting
to know all the other members was really fun. Interacting with gymnasts
from all over the world that share the same passion creates a special
feeling of connection.
Gymn.ca:
What
thoughts do you have about competing NCAA, if any?
Bianca:
I love the team spirit of NCAA! As I find out more about different
programs, I realize just how much of an amazing experience it can be. I
would love to pursue my passion for gymnastics while setting up for my
next dream of becoming a medical Doctor.
Gymn.ca:
Did
you choose to go to Puerto Rico instead of Japan?
Bianca:
I was assigned to Puerto Rico. It was great to participate as a team
and I am happy with my results.
Gymn.ca:
Are
there any gymnasts who've inspired you in your career thus far?
Bianca: Kristina
Vaculik: her devotion and passion for gymnastics, her attitude and her
great personality inspire me not only as a gymnast but also as a
person.
"Like
what you do, do what you like" is a phrase I always keep in
mind.
To all
up-and-coming gymnasts; work hard and have fun!
Gymn.ca:
Who
is the Bianca outside of Gym?
Bianca: I
am a bookworm, I love fashion, traveling and many outdoor activities. I
am a definite optimist and love socializing. Family and friends are very
important to me and other than that, I am a regular 16 year old who has
a passion for gymnastics.
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Bianca performs at the 2010
World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands
Photos copyright Ruth Judson
Links: Gymcan.org
profile | Gymn.ca's
YouTube channel
featuring videos of Bianca
Please respect the copyright of this interview,
and its photos. Provide a link
to the interview, rather than copying and pasting elsewhere. Thank you!
July 2011
