Rhythmic gymnasts get double bronze in Singapore.
Twin sisters Anjelika and Victoria Reznick are members of the Kalev Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy. The Grade 10 Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts students were one half of the Canadian contingent who won two bronze medals, one in hoop and ribbon and one overall, at the first ever Youth Olympic Games, held in Singapore Aug. 14 to 26.
Photo/GRACE CHIU
If they weren't already, Anjelika and Victoria Reznick are now the pride and joy of North York-based Kalev Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.The twin sisters, Grade 10 students at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts, were one half of the Canadian contingent that won double bronze medals - one in hoop and ribbon and one overall - at the first ever Youth Olympic Games, held in Singapore Aug. 14 to 26. The four-member rhythmic gymnastics team - which also included Mississauga's Kathrina Cameron and Melodie Omidi - earned the Youth Olympics spot via their gold medal showing in the all-around category at the Pan Am Games in Havana, Cuba late last year.The Youth Olympics bronze marks the first medal in the group exercise for the entire Pan-America continent since 1984 in the sport of rhythmic gymnastics. "It was a historical moment and we are all very happy for what they achieved," said head coach Svetlana Joukova, a former gymnast and coach for 30 years - 16 of them at Kalev. Only twice before, once in Bulgaria and once in Russia, has Joukova been witness to such a graceful combo as the Reznick sisters. "It doesn't happen very often," she said. "They are very special."With the 2012 Olympic Games in London fast approaching, the next step for the girls, who arrived from Kazakhstan and began at the elite development centre just five years ago, is to finish among the top 24 athletes attending the senior world championships in France. Of course they will need to qualify through the national championships in June first. Calling the junior Olympic bronze medals their "best achievement so far," Victoria admits there is much to accomplish for her and her sister between now and the London Games. The hardest part for the girls, who turn 16 on Sept. 25, may be to stay calm and focused."We're going to have to work very hard, even harder than Singapore and we have to improve by doing harder elements," said Angelica, who is 15 minutes older than her sister. "I guess if we continue to do better we could make the senior team. I think we can do it...We can make it possible."