GYMNASTICS CANADA – Posted Sunday, October 5, 2014
NANNING, China — Olympic veteran Ellie Black of Halifax led the Canadian women’s gymnastics team to fifth place Sunday in the first of two qualifying rounds at the 2014 world championships.The U.S. took a commanding lead in the team standings with a score of 235.038 points. Russia ranks second (228.135) and the Netherlands third (214.662) among 21 countries competing with full teams.The Canadian team, including Maegan Chant of Waterdown, Ont., and world championship rookies Isabela Onyshko of Minnedosa, Man.,Kirsten Peterman of Cambridge, Ont., Victoria-Kayen Woo of La Pairie, Que., and Aleeza Yu of Stouffville, Ont., finished with 214.102 points.Qualification continues Monday when medal contenders including Romania, China and Great Britain enter the competition.The top eight countries will advance to the team final while the best 24 gymnasts all around and top eight on each apparatus qualify for individual finals.
Black, 13th all around at last year’s worlds, is aiming for a spot in the final again this year after placing 10th on Sunday in a field of 85 competitors.
Black is also a strong contender to qualify for the beam final after placing second in the prelims behind Simone Biles of the United States who also leads the field in the all around and on floor and vault.
Rounding out the Canadian all around results, Onyshko placed 14th, Woo, 27th and Chant, 32nd.