Bezzoubenko dominates qualification at Canadian rhythmic gymnastics championships

bezzoubenko-clubsRICHMOND, B.C. — Reaching new heights, Toronto’s Patricia Bezzoubenko achieved a personal best all around score in a dominant performance Saturday at the Canadian rhythmic gymnastics championships.

Bezzoubenko towered about the rest of the field in the qualification round, earning over 17 points in all four events to place first with a total of 70.050 points.

Carmen Whelan of Toronto placed second with 58.250 points edging Katherine Uchida of Toronto who was third at 58.150.

“Patricia’s level of difficulty has improved over the last year and that’s been a major focus for her and all the girls,” said national rhythmic team director Teresa Orr. “And she’s also started to get scores in the 17’s at some international competitions.”

With Bezzoubenko holding a virtually insurmountable lead heading into the finals on Sunday the battle for second place all around between Whelan and Uchida is heating up with just two spots available on Canada’s Pan Am Games team.

“It would be amazing if I got on that team but right now I’ll I want to do is good routines and that’s all I can do,” said Uchida, who is competing for the first time as a senior at this year’s Canadian championships.

“I have to slow down a little when I’m approaching my routines. A lot of the mistakes I was making were little things that I can fix easily so I just have to calm down and focus on the small things.”

In the junior qualification Ecaterina Cozma of Toronto maintained her first-day lead with another strong performance to top the field with a score of 56.500 points.

Althena Tsaltas of Georgina, Ont., placed second with 55.100 points and Elizabet Belittchenko of Toronto was third at 51.150.

In the novice competition Natalie Garcia of Mississauga, Ont.,  won the the around title.

Complete results

Credit: Gymnastics Canada

Posted in Front Page Slider, Home Page Panes, RG News