Onyshko an All-around Success at Canadian Championships
Edmonton, AB – Brandon’s Isabela Onyshko began high performance competition only three years ago, but today she’s one of Canada’s top artistic gymnasts. With Olympic selection looming, she proved herself more than worthy of a spot on Team Canada, setting a new national record for highest all-around score. At last week’s 2016 Global News Canadian Championships, she scored 58.550 to beat out Nova Scotian Ellie Black for the top spot. Onyshko also earned gold for her performance on uneven bars (14.675) and beam (15.100), with a bronze on floor (13.975).
Though competition between the two young women was fierce, Onyshko demonstrated confidence and composure, according to coach Joe Stouffer. “Throughout the week, she seemed calmer and enjoyed competing alongside her Canadian teammates. Bela did a great job maintaining her composure and, despite the close competition with Ellie Black, did not get overwhelmed – especially during a very close final.”
“I was very pleased with Bela’s performance across the training and two days of competition at Canadian Championships,” said Stouffer. “Our goals at this event were to demonstrate continued improvement in our execution and stability, particularly on vault, where Bela has made a substantial upgrade this season.”
Onyshko seems to break the stereotype for gymnasts of this caliber, speaking of her considerable achievements with surprising humility, and taking time to mentor and encourage younger athletes like fellow Manitoban Quinn Skrupa. Skrupa, who also trains with the Brandon Eagles and is a newcomer to high performance level competition, won all-around in the novice category with 57.925 points.
What’s next for Onyshko? “I believe Bela has shown herself to be a world-class athlete,” said Stouffer, “Both she and Ellie Black have shown potential to be among the top all-around gymnasts at the Rio Games, and both have the capacity to qualify for an apparatus final on balance beam.” Looking ahead to Olympic team selection and the Games, Stouffer said, “Continuing our pattern of preparation and guarding against injury will be key factors in Bela’s success.”
-30-
About CSCM:
The Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba (CSCM) was created as one of the many legacies of the 1999 Pan American Games held in Winnipeg. Today, CSCM is the hub for high performance sport in Manitoba. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, CSCM works to provide a world-class, multi-sport daily training environment for athletes and coaches through integrated services and programs in the fields of physiology, strength and conditioning, nutrition, psychology and support services.
For more information, contact:
Jeff Powell
General Manager, Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba
Direct Line: 204.474.7148 | Email: media@cscm.ca
