Gymnastics Canada  – OTTAWA, ON (June 28, 2017) – Gymnastics Canada is pleased to announce the athletes who have been named to the 2017-2018 men’s artistic gymnastics national team following a selection process that included results from the 2017 Elite Canada competition and the 2017 Canadian Championships.

“It was very difficult selecting the 2017-18 men’s national teams, as never before has there been so much depth in the Canadian men’s program,” said Tony Smith, national team director for men’s artistic gymnastics at Gymnastics Canada. “We have assembled a strong group of young athletes who are just entering into their International careers, and it’s my expectation that these young men will dramatically improve over the next two years and put Canada in a strong position to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.”

Highlights on the competition calendar for men’s artistic gymnastics this year include the 2017 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Montreal from October 2-8, and the 2017 Universiade in Taipei, TWN in August.

THE ATHLETES:

SENIOR NATIONAL TEAM

• Damien Cachia, Calgary, AB – University of Calgary
• Zachary Clay, Abbotsford, BC – Twisters
• Rene Cournoyer, Repentigny, QC – Gymnika
• Evan Cruz, Halifax, NS – Halifax Alta
• Mathieu Csukassy, Montreal, QC – Centre Père Sablon
• Joel Gagnon, Minneapolis, MN – University of Minnesota
• Justin Karstadt, Minneapolis, MN – University of Minnesota
• Kevin Lytywn, Burlington, ON – Burlington BGs
• Aaron Mah, Berkeley, CA – University of California, Berkeley
• Scott Morgan, North Vancouver, BC – Flicka
• Scott Nabata, Kamloops, BC – KGTC
• Ryan Oehrlein, Mississauga, ON – Futures
• Samuel Paquin, Montreal, QC – Centre Père Sablon
• Cory Paterson, Montreal, QC – Centre Père Sablon
• Jackson Payne, Calgary, AB – Calgary Gymnastics Centre
• Thierry Pellerin, Charny, QC – Gymnamic
• Samuel Zakutney, State College, PA – Penn State University

JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM (16-17 YRS)

• Elel Baker, Mississauga, ON – Gymnastics Mississauga
• William Emard, Laval, QC – Laval Excellence
• Chris Kaji, Vancouver, BC – Phoenix
• David Sandro, Milton, ON – Gold Medal
• Jesse Tyndall, Saskatoon, SK – Taiso Gymnastics
• Alex Watters, Halifax, NS – Halifax Alta
• Darren Wong, Vancouver, BC – Phoenix

JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM (14-15 YRS)

• Ioannis Chronopoulos, Mississauga, ON – Futures
• Dorian Doan, Mississauga, ON – Futures
• Emre Dodanli, Oakville, ON – Manjak’s
• Felix Dolci, Laval, QC – Laval Excellence
• Drew Kanigan, Kamloops, BC – KGTC
• Adam Safaoui, Oakville, ON – Manjak’s
• Evgeny Siminiuc, Missisauga, ON – Futures
• Igor Velicico, Montreal, QC – Centre Père Sablon             

ABOUT GYMNASTICS CANADA

First established in 1969, Gymnastics Canada is the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in Canada. Gymnastics Canada works closely with the twelve Provincial Federations and the 700 local clubs to provide a broad range of programs and services to meet the needs of all participants. From athlete development, to coaching and judging education, Gymnastics Canada sets the operating standards and practices for the sport in Canada. Our mandate is to promote and provide positive and diverse gymnastics experience through the delivery of quality and safe gymnastics programming. Visit www.gymcan.org for more information, or follow us @CDNgymnastics.

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For more information, contact:

Julie Forget
Director, Communications and Marketing
Gymnastics Canada
Office: 613.748.5637 x 233
Cell: 819.210.2064
Email: jforget@gymcan.org