Archive: August 2002
Back to the News Archive Index |
| Bryan Milonja Coutesy of Grace Chiu |
AUGUST 31 - TRAMPOLINE AND TUMBLING NEWS
Recently, the Trampoline and Tumbling World Cup circuit made two stops in North America, with Edmonton hosting an event the weekend of August 17th, followed by another competition last weekend in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Gymn.ca's own Bryan Milonja competed at both events and has prepared a report on the competition in Edmonton. A report of the Greensboro event, where Canadian Karen Cockburn took the gold medal in the women's individual trampoline, will be available shortly.
AUGUST 31 - GYMROCK TAPING THIS WEEKEND
 |
| Aubrey Taylor |
Gymnastics fans are invited to join the live studio audience for the GYMROCK 2002 competition, which gets underway today at Seneca College. This is the second year of GYMROCK competition, which is a professional-style competition featuring only the floor exercise. Last year's competition was won by 2000 Olympian Julie Beaulieu.
This year's lineup includes two of Canada's top senior athletes in Gymnastics Mississauga's Aubrey Taylor, third at last year's event, and Teri Gibson, national silver medallist on the floor exercise. Taylor and Gibson placed seventh and fifth, respectively, at this year's Canadian Championships. Also on the GYMROCK on the roster are 2001 participants Ashley Sportum (Burlington), tumbling champion Amanda Dellapenta (Etobicoke), and Mississauga teammates Emily Cercado and Katie O'Donnell. New additions to the GYMROCK lineup include Nicole Donnelly of Windsor's Rose City, and Mississauga's Lisa Butler and Jessie Williamson.
Three preliminary shows will be taped today, beginning at 10:30 am, at Seneca College. Athletes will perform two exercises to upbeat, modern music, and will be scored by a panel of judges that includes 2000 Olympic judge Susan Harris, Sport Seneca head coach Carol Angela Orchard, two-time world championship medallist Curtis Hibbert, and 1996 Olympic silver medallist in synchronized swimming, Lisa Alexander. After round one, the top two athletes from each show will move on to Sunday's semi-finals, which will also get underway at 10:30 am. The winner of each semi-final, plus the next highest score, will qualify to the final. The winner will receive $2,000 in prize money.
Tickets for GYMROCK are available at the door of the competition on a first-come, first-served basis. The six GYMROCK shows will be taped and broadcast on TSN at a later date. For more information on GYMROCK, please visit their website.
 |
AUGUST 17 - GERING TOURS MEXICO
Amanda Gering (Champions) is currently on tour in Mexico, performing in three gala shows. Amanda joins Christina Lozoya (Mexico) as the two youngest athletes in these demos, which happen in Mexico City (yesterday and today) and in Monterrey on Sunday.
Gymnastics greats Svetlana Khorkina, Alexander Nemov, Yuri Chechi, and Oksana Chusovitina are amongst the athletes taking part in this showcase. The new 2002 US National champion on vault, Liz Tricase, also headlines the event. Romanian gymnasts were invited, but were not able to attend.
Mexico's highest rated brevet judge, Claudia Esteva, is the tour coordinator.
AUGUST 8 - SANDERS WINS U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS
Canada's Mary Sanders took the gold medal at the U.S. Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships tonight in only her second competition in the U.S. program. Sanders, who holds both Canadian and U.S. citizenship, outdistanced Olga Karmansky and Shayna Javornicky to take the title. Defending U.S. champion Jessica Howard was injured and unable to compete.
Sanders' success at the U.S. Championships could result in the 16 year-old representing the United States in future competitions. A recent decision by the Canadian Olympic Committee dictates that only those athletes ranked in the top 12 in their sport may compete as individuals at the Olympic Games. Sanders placed 19th at the 2001 World Championships, and could choose to represent the U.S. in the hopes of securing an Olympic berth.
Senior competition continues at the U.S. Championships with event finals on Sunday.