Onyshko wins silver medal at artistic gymnastics World Cup

 Competing for the first time in an all-around only World Cup, Onyshko claimed the silver medal with a score of 56.499, just behind top-ranked Sophie Sheder of Germany who took the gold with 57.032 points.

Amelia Hundley of the United States took the bronze medal with 56.499.

Onyshko, a strong contender to win a spot on Canada’s 2016 Olympic team, placed second on floor, third on beam and fourth on both uneven bars and vault.

Despite placing higher on floor, Onyshko said she was most pleased with her performance on the balance beam where she successfully completed a difficult move including a back somersault with a full twist.

“It’s a high risk but high reward move,” said Onyshko who dabbled with it in training for several years before adding it recently to her repertoire.

“I never really pushed it before but it was a logical next step to add more difficulty to my beam routine,” said Onyshko, who has now executed the move three times in competition.

Onyshko will be one of just two Canadian women to compete at the 2016 Olympics test event next month in Rio de Janeiro, when the gymnastics venue for the Games will be the site of a last-chance qualification meet for countries still vying for a spot in the team competition.

Canada has already earned one of the 12 berths in the Olympic team competition in women’s gymnastics, but is sending  Onyshko and Victoria-Kayen Woo of La Prairie, Que., to gain some first-hand experience of the Olympic venue.