(03/01/10) Robert Watson (Richmond) and Joshua Stuart (Richmond) each captured an all around title on Sunday at the 2010 Men’s Elite Canada in Gatineau.
Watson topped the field in the junior category while placing first on high bar and floor and second on parallel bars and third on rings.
“I came here wanting to do six solid routines and I did that but the big highlight was getting my best individual event score ever with my floor routine.”
BC swept the tyro podium, led by Stuart who also placed first on pommel horse, rings and vault as well as silver on floor and high bar. Scott Nabata (KATTS) and Zachary Clay (Twisters) rounded out the top 3, with each winning event medals.
In the senior competition Calgary’s Nathan Gafuik was the champion followed by Ken Ikeda (Twisters) who also captured gold on the pommel horse and parallel bars. Also competing the senior competition was Jason Scott (Richmond) who placed 5th in his first senior event.
Canadian men’s program director Jeff Thompson of Vancouver singled nine-year national team veteran Ikeda and rising star Scott for their performances.
“Ken is remarkable and is doing better routines than ever while Jason has been quite impressive with his clean all around gymnastics,” said Thompson.
Forty athletes competed in the Argo competition which was topped by Justin Karstadt of Futures Gym in Ontario. Sasha Bratty (Vancouver Phoenix) was second and added medals on floor, rings and high bar. Nicolas Bourne from Richmond finished 15th AA and got 4th on Floor, 14th on P.Bars and 13th on Floor. “It was a remarkable come back by Nico who showed good performance and a strong heart for the sport after he had a serious elbow injury last summer!” said coach Ferenc Szabo
Congratulations to all of our athletes for their great performances at Canada’s second most important competition after the National Championships which will be held at the end of May in Kamloops, BC.
