Three young St. Albert gymnasts from the Dynamyx Gymnastics Club competed at the Western Canadian Championships held from April 24 to 26 in Saskatchewan.
Sixteen-year-old Xavier Lefebvre, 15-year-old Desmond Annett and 11-year-old Joshua Man competed in all six men's artistic gymnastics events: floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bar and high bar. As they completed all events, they were also given an allaround score.
"I felt pretty honoured," said Lefebvre. "And considering I did as well as I did, I was very happy. I got second all around."
He left the competition, winning first place in parallel and high bars.
Annett echoed the same sense of pride as Lefebvre.
"I felt pretty honoured. It was just a little bit stressful because you make it so far, and then what if you mess up," said Annett.
For the youngest St. Albert competitor, it was his first time reaching the
finals. "When I first got on the team I was really surprised because I didn't think I would make it, and I was very stressed, and I also messed up a lot," said Man.
Despite nerves and pressure while competing, all three athletes found motivation in pushing themselves to new levels. Man trains 12 hours while Lefebvre and Annett train 15 hours a
week.
"I compete just to be able to see how far I've gone compared to before," said Annet, while also mentioning the community within gymnastics. "Everyone in this community are the most stand up people that you'll ever meet."
For Man, the sport has become an important part of his life. He says going to gymnastics has now become part of his routine.
"Well, I get to meet my friends that I made," he said. "The sport just makes me happy and it's fun." Looking ahead, all three athletes are focused on training hard with the goal of qualifying for nationals one day.
"My goal, do the best I can, maybe go to nationals, of course, hopefully in a reasonable amount of time," said Annett.
Lefebvre echoed Annett, saying he is hopeful he will qualify for nationals atsome point in his career.
"That means a lot more hours and a lot more recovery," he said.
Lefebvre said that despite all of the hard work he has to put in, gymnastics keeps him active and motivated.
"It's such a good sport for you like young gymnasts are just so good at everything," said Lefebvre. "It gives you athleticism, strength, endurance. So, if you want to be physically built in every way, then I recommend gymnastics.”
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