Canadian Roundup: Historic firsts, World Cup podiums and more

October 9, 2017

By Camille Wallace

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For many Canadians Thanksgiving means quality time with family and friends, but for several athletes the weekend was spent topping podium at home and abroad.

Here are a few moments we’re thankful for.

Gymnastics – Artistic

READ: Black wins historic worlds medal in front of home fans

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Thank you everyone. Thank you for coming out and cheering us on. This was a moment to remember forever. Thank you to all my amazing teammates, coaches, family, friends, club, fans and country. To the support team that kept us healthy throughout. To gymnastics Canada for all their hard work. The love and support everyone has show has been incredible. So thankful and lucky to have had the chance to represent such a beautiful country here in Montreal at the World Championships. Congrats to all the athletes who competed. We may fall sometimes but we always get back up and keep fighting. Much love to you all. You inspire me to keep pursuing the sport I love and to reach my dreams. Beyond blessed. Thank you! 💙

A post shared by Ellie Black (@ellieblack_) on Oct 8, 2017 at 2:01pm PDT

On Friday Ellie Black made history on Canadian soil at the artistic gymnastics world championships in Montreal. After impressing judges in the women’s all-around final, Black totalled 55.132 points to finish second and earn Canada’s first-ever all-around world medal.

Speed Skating – Short Track

READ: Relay gold highlights Canada’s World Cup medal haul
READ: Canada starts the Netherlands World Cup with five medals

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The team has done it again!! Back to back 🥇 Strong start 💪🏼👊🏼💥

A post shared by Charles Hamelin (@charleshamelin) on Oct 8, 2017 at 9:48am PDT

Team Canada’s first athletes named to PyeongChang 2018 continued their strong start to the Olympic season, hauling eight medals at the second World Cup stop in the Netherlands. The men’s 5000m relay team repeated their gold medal performance from last weekend. Sam Girard and Marianne St-Gelais started Canada’s gold medal success on Saturday, topping the podium in the individual 500m events.

Judo

Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard (-63kg) claimed bronze after three victories at the Tashkent Grand Prix in Uzbekistan. The Canadian judoka won her first fight against Poland’s Karolina Talach, before losing to Kathrin Unterwurzacher of Austria. She eventually defeated Turkish Bursa Katipoglu in the bronze medal match, after victory over Kazakh Marian Urdabayeva. The Canadian’s feat is especially impressive since Beauchemin-Pinard is new to the -63kg category, having represented the nation in the -57kg class at Rio 2016.