Canadian Rhythmic Gymnastics Team is Prepared for Unbelievable Performances
This strong and powerful team of Rhythmic gymnasts representing Team Canada is eagerly anticipating the competition at their first Commonwealth Games.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games team consists of Tatiana Cocsanova (Montreal, QC), Suzanna Shahbazian (Montreal, QC), and Carmel Kallemaa (Barrie, ON). For bios on each athlete download the Team Canada 2022 media guide.
Team Canada’s Rhythmic Gymnastics team will be led by coaches Natalia Popova and Janika Moelder. The athletes are aiming to take home medals in the competitions: hoop, ball, clubs, ribbon, individual all-around, and team all-around.
The mental and physical sport of Rhythmic Gymnastics is one that only athletes with true passion for the arts and dedication for the athletic commitment can face.
"I love Rhythmic Gymnastics because is not just a sport,” says Natalia Popova. “It is a tandem of art and sport. It is not limited to strength, endurance and agility. When artistry, well-developed image and graceful choreography combine, we get Rhythmic Gymnastics."
Suzanna Shahbazian was the all-around bronze medalist at the 2021 Canadian Championships where she also took home two gold medals in hoop and ribbon. Although Shahbazian has already achieved great successes, this year has also come with its challenges.
“I had to overcome a lot of injuries this year and fight for my place particularly this year to prove to myself and everyone what I am worth,” says Shahbazian. “I look soft outside, but I am really strong inside. I might look like a mouse, but I have the heart of a lion.”
With big hopes and goals for the Games, Tatiana Cocsanova is heading in fearless and ready to captivate the audience and judges.
“I hope to perform my routines as well as I’m possibly able and to portray the character of each of my routines the best I can,” says Cocsanova. “I hope to show my emotions in such a way that the public feels as if they’re on the carpet with me. During the Canadian Championships, I got a serious back injury and missed the Pan-American Championships to recover. Now I am finally back. I am very happy to be recovered so quickly and hope to get the maximum pleasure from these Commonwealth Games.”
The Rhythmic Gymnastics competition will take place at the Arena Birmingham from August 4 to 6. The Rhythmic Gymnastics competition will include six events: hoop, ball, clubs, ribbon, individual all-around, and team all-around.
CBC Sports will feature daily feeds of the sport competitions available on CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca and the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices. Check out https://www.cbc.ca/sports/commonwealthgames for details.
