VNT Stars - Elite Canada 2023

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Hi, My name is Tatiana Cocsanova, and I’ve been doing rhythmic gymnastics since 7 years old, 12 years now. I’m training with my coach Natalia Popova in Questo RG club. My favorite moment in rhythmic gymnastics would be winning my second all-around title of Canadian champion this year in 2022. I was losing a lot for almost the entirety of my career and was always behind someone. For the last three years, I’ve worked without remorse for myself and finally reached one of my biggest goals. This year was also filled with lots of injuries, the fact that I still competed was already a big achievement, without talking about the win. A second moment I’d say was very significant is when I was sent to Moscow’s Grand Prix, back in February of this year. It was my first ever big competition of that scale. It was very memorable for me: the organization, the huge public, the ginormous competition area the carpet with the most blinding lights. I finally felt like I was appreciated as a top athlete because everything was accommodated for me. On top of that, I did very well and got into 3 finals. But the best was the fans: it was the first time when I couldn’t leave the competition area because fans would want a picture or autograph. Compared to when nobody knew who I was. I was truly stunned and honored. One of the last moments I’d say was memorable would be the 39th World Championships in Bulgaria this year. I remember walking out to see the competition carpet and being overwhelmed by emotions. I started crying. Not only that, but I was literally thinking how being a small loser kid that no one believed in, I watched these types of competitions (World Championships) over and over again, with all my idols competing, and was so eager to be there as well. I thought to myself: “We made it, Tania, We made it.” Being there was already a huge gift for me. My goal for the next two years would be to qualify for the Olympics in Paris 2022 and compete proudly representing Canada. 

When I was four, my sister started gymnastics and when I would come to watch her in the gym while my mother coached, I would watch the older gymnasts in the gym and always wished to look like them. It wasn't until a couple of months later, after constantly begging my mom to start gymnastics, that I finally joined. I've been told I only worked twice a week, but my living room was my second gym. I have videos of myself at the age of 5 in my living room doing my first double, split, bridge, and cartwheel. My first competition was at the age of 7 at the 2A level. Then went to 2B at 8, and at 9 I skipped pre-novice and went straight to novice right after joining Jusco, my home with my coaches Stefka Moutafcheiva and Mimi Masleva. During my last year as a novice, I won the Canadian novice championships and in my last year of junior, I was nominated junior of the year out of all of Canada. I have competed in two parallel Grand Prix junior competitions, pan-American championships, and a Grand Prix. I am currently in my Third year of senior and have learned many valuable lessons along the way. My goal for the upcoming years is to get gold AA at the National Canadian championships in 2023, qualify for the pan-American games in 2023, and qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024.

I am Suzanna Shahbazian from Questo RG, coached by Natalia Popova and Ekaterina Shtrevensky. I started rhythmic gymnastics at 4 y/o. Some highlights of my career: Vice Canadian champion 2021/ Bronze AA,2 gold medals at Canadian championships 2022/ Team bronze, individual silver & bronze medals at pan-American Championships 2022/ Team gold, individual silver at Commonwealth Games 2022/ Participated at World Championships and placed 35th AA. My goals for the next 2 years: qualify and represent Canada successfully at pan-American Games 2023, rank in the top 18 at Worlds 2023, and qualify for Olympic Games 2024.  

Hi, my name is Pari Goyal and I train at Olympia Rhythmic Gymnastics with Daniela Todorova. I started gymnastics when I was 4 years old, and I love RG with all my heart. <3 I have been an HP gymnast since my second year of Junior, and won 2 bronze medals at the Canadian Championships in 2021. My biggest achievement so far has been being a part of the 2022 National Senior Group, and representing Canada at my first international competitions. I participated in the World Challenge Cup in Romania, and the World Championships in Bulgaria. 

My goal for the next few years is to continue to represent Canada on the world stage.

 My name is Halle Moger, I train at Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics Club with my coach Camille Martens. I started gymnastics when I was 6 years old after watching the play Wizard of Oz my club did at our local performing arts center. My biggest achievement and goal I’ve completed so far in my career is making the national team in 2021 and 2022. My other big achievement was winning first at the Western championships in 2022! For my next goals in the future, I hope to compete at a world university game or other world cup! It’s always been a dream of mine to compete at a big international competition, and hoping to make that dream come true this new season!! Lots of love, Halle 

My name is Élodie Doucet, I train at Extenso with my 2 coaches Stephanie Legere Arsenault and Brigitte Thibault. I started rhythmic gymnastics at the of 5 and fell in love with it ever since. Last year, my first year senior has been filled with accomplishments I’ve always dreamed of, such as making the top 15 at Elite Canada and qualifying for the finals, performing under the high-performance category at Easterns and the Canadian Championship, and sharing a podium with my idols at Easterns! Being able to represent my province has been an honor, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to do so. My goal for this next year would be to be part of Team Canada, amongst the gymnasts I’ve looked up to all my career! Looking forward to this next season!

My name is Lori Li Blanchard, and I started doing rhythmic gymnastics at the age of 3 years old. At the beginning of my career, I was training in a different city, where I’m originally from. Later on, in 2018, I was invited to move to Dieppe NB, to train with my current coaches Stephanie Legere Arsenault and Brigitte Thibault. My biggest accomplishment was at Elite Canada 2022 where I finished in the top 15 and at the Canadian Championship 2022 where I finished in 10th place, which help me keep my place among the Canadian High-performance athletes. I was then able to participate in the finals, where I finished 14th. Representing New Brunswick is an honor for me, and I’m very thankful for it. My goals for the next years to come are to be a part of the Canadian National Team with the gymnasts who were role models for me and to also represent proudly Canada internationally. 

My name is Grace Lodoen and I train at Silhouettes of York with Iana Nadtotchii. I started rhythmic gymnastics when I was 7 years old after seeing this sport for the first time in the Pan Am Games in Toronto. This year, I earned a spot on the Canadian Junior National Team. I came third at Elite Canada (2022), and fourth at the Canadian Nationals Championships (2022), and as a result, I qualified for the 2022 Junior Pan Am Championships in Rio de Janeiro. It was an honor to represent Canada in Brazil for my first international competition. This year it is my goal to finish with high placement not only in Canada but in the world. I would like to represent Canada again at the 2023 Pan Am Games and Junior World Championships. As for after junior, it is my goal to have a strong first year at the senior level.