OGC at the World Age Group Championships in Bulgaria

NEWS FROM SOFIA, BULGARIA: 

HOST OF THE 

23^RD TRAMPOLINE AND TUMBLING 

WORLD AGE GROUP 

CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sofia Bulgaria is both the Capital and the largest city in Bulgaria.  It is a city rich in history, dating back 2400 years and is one of Europe’s oldest cities! 

With all of its rich history, Sofia will also have in its books that it was host of the 29^th World Championships and 23^rd World Age Group Championships for Trampoline and Tumbling!!

Upon arriving in Sofia, we immediately took the athletes to the gym to watch and support our Canadians compete in team as well as some individual finals......and to help ward off our jet leg!!

Senior Men's Tumblers from Canada: far left is John Schwaiger and Vincent Lavoie, laso in the mix is David Findlay and Junior Charpentier-Leclerc.

World Champions in Senior Men's Tumbling Great Britain and two Russians.

World Champions in Senior Women's Tumbling.  China's FengFeng Jia gold.

We got to see silver medal finishes by our Men’s and Women’s Double Mini Trampoline teams.

As well as, we were there to see Rosie MacLennon win her first ever World Championship title (she is currently our Olympic Champion)!  What a great honor we had in singing our National Anthem for the final event at World Championships!  I knew this would be a huge motivation for all of the members of the younger team for their upcoming week of competition!

Pic of: Cathedral Saint Alexander Nevsky

The construction of the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral started in 1882, when the foundation stone was laid, but most of it was built between 1904 and 1912.^[1] Saint Alexander Nevsky was a Russian prince. The cathedral was created in honour to the Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, as a result of which Bulgaria was liberated from Ottoman rule.

OGC Tumblers with Niki on route to Sofia. (l-r: Niki, Ben, Savanna, Haven, Michael, Nate.)

Don't get lost and don't take pictures of me.

Pic of:  St. George Rotunda

St George Rotunda is an Early Christian red brick rotunda that is considered the oldest building in Sofia.  It was built by the Romans in the 4th century. It is believed that it was built on the site of a pagan temple, though the original purpose of the building was for public use.

All of our athletes got to take part and watch the Opening Ceremonies of the Games and I was honored to be chosen to read the coaches’ oath.

Inside the competition hall at the 2013 World Age Group Championships.

Niki delivering the Coach's Oath.

Nate was the tallest in the 13/14 Boys tumbling category.

Haven was the smallest in her 13/14 Girls category.

Haven during her march in for the finals.

Haven and Niki waiting to compete Haven's last tumbling line during the final round.

Competition Day 1:

Nathaniel St. Romain and Haven Swarts debut as the youngest of the Canadian Team.  Both had amazing performances in the 13-14 age category!  They both achieved their goals of successfully landing both of their preliminary passes.  In a tough catgory, Nate showed 2 great passes and ended in 14^th place.

Nate mid flip at WAGs.

Haven had the competition of her life and ended up in 4^th after her preliminary round!  Considering her goal was to come in the top 10, this was a fantastic achievement! 

Haven spotting the floor mid whipback.

Later that day, Haven performed in her first finals competition (top 8) of a World Championships.  She had a slight rhythm break, which caused her to land short in her end skill (a full-in tuck).  Due to the structure of Worlds, being fresh-start (going back to 0 for finals), this pushed her to 8^th position, which is still an amazing result for Team Canada!  Canada has not had a female in the 13-14 age group category make it to finals in over a decade!

The 2013 Canadian Trampoline and Tumbling World Age Group Team.

Day 2:

The second day of competition saw Savannah Wepf compete in the 15-16 age category.  She struggled somewhat with the equipment in Sofia, resulting in her faltering in preliminaries and having a disappointing finish on her second pass.

Day 3:

Michael Chaves and Ben Senior competed on day 3 of competition.  It was a really strong 17-18 category for the boys.  Ben was one of the most consistent athletes in training all week.  He had a small hand touch at the end of his first pass and then had a rhythm break in the middle of his 2^nd pass, causing him to have a fall at the end of his pass.

Michael Chaves mid triple back tuck.

Michael had 2 strong preliminary passes that resulted in a 3^rd place finish after his second pass.  That evening, in finals, he unfortunately had a fall on his triple back tuck that pushed him to 6^th. 

 

All dressed up for the closing function at the World Age Group Championships.

Over all, OGC athletes had a great experience and represented their Country, their club, coaches and themselves very well!

Haven, Nate, Savannah, Mike and Ben, OGC is proud of you!!!