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Kyle Shewfelt


Olympic FLOOR CHAMPION, Athens 2004


I Need to Know logo
photo © Grace Chiu, grace@webografix.ca


Kyle Shewfelt, inspirational public speaker, is a high-energy go-getter with an endearing personality.

Details on the Agenda Sport Management website.


Click on the WCSN link for the best live and on-demand internet TV coverage including the 2007 World Championships.


NEW ON THE WEBSITE

Check out Kyle's blog at kyleshewfelt.blogspot.com. There he will post personal comments on life and gymnastics. This — his official website — is more an historical record of his gymnastics career.


Kyle travels in November

Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton, Oakville. We'll post those events here as they come up.


Kyle's club 40th reunion Nov 10th, 2007

Honoured guest speaker at Altadore Gymnastics.

Kyle-podium2.jpg

fans.jpg

Melissa, Mom & Dad. Thanks Stephen Neal for the photos.

Details on Gymnastics Coaching.


Kyle at Gold Medal Plates Oct, 2007. Attending 5 charity events this Fall, Kyle posted the kickoff dinner highlights on his blog. A great fund-raiser.


Kyle's Press Conference Sept 13th, 2007

He'd spent 10 minutes in a wheelchair, both legs propped up, listening, along with the assembled media, to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Nick Mohtadi describe in graphic detail, using a model of a knee joint to emphasize his points, just how severe the injuries he'd suffered during a training session for the world gymnastics championships in Germany really were.

"I didn't think that it was that bad," said Shewfelt to a roar of laughter.

But truth be told, he really hadn't grasped the difficulty of the road he'll have to travel in the next year to get to Beijing and defend the Olympic gold medal he won in 2004 at Athens ...

... read more - Calgary Herald


Kyle has a long road back to gold

Canada's Olympic gold medallist in artistic gymnastics, and the country's only Olympic medallist ever in that sport, will need weeks of rehabilitation on his two broken knees and additional ligament damage in one before he'll compete again.

But while the injuries he suffered in Stuttgart, Germany, on Aug. 27 just prior to the recent world championship were more serious that originally thought, Shewfelt, and more importantly his surgeon, believe he will be able to try and defend his Olympic title in Beijing next August.

"There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that in Beijing I will be in my best form and I'm going to have some routines that will challenge for podium positions," Shewfelt said Wednesday at a news conference. "I can't even think that's not a possibility. ...

Canadian Press


Kyle The good news — Canada qualified as a Team to Beijing 2008. This was Kyle's goal #1.

The bad news — Kyle had to cheer the team on from the sidelines. In a wheelchair! He was injured in Germany during training.

Details on Gymnastics Canada.

In a weird coincidence, top rival Dragalescu was injured out of Worlds as well.


Kyle travelled to Beijing for training with the Chinese team. This is ideal preparation for the 2008 Olympics! Details on Gymnastics Canada.


The Real Champions program is important to Kyle. In fact, he has his own page on that site.

That's where Canadian sport fans upload & watch videos, photos and share in a community. We've added Kyle's profile to our links page.


Vote for Kyle for Canada's "Greatest Olympic Moment".

It's part of an Olympic Day Fundraising Campaign. All money raised goes to Own the Podium and Road to Excellence initiatives.

The voting is free. And you get a tax receipt for anything over $10.

Kyle will be doing his part, as usual, promotional appearances in Edmonton on June 23, Olympic Day.


Eric Francis interviewed Kyle for a major 2-page article published across Canada.

It covers a lot of ground — the life of an Olympic Champion after the gold medal.

Kyle talks about what motivates him to train towards a third Games. How he can stay one of the best in the world over an 8-year span.

And his strategy for being competitive under a completely new set of rules.

Read it on-line: Going for Gold Again.


50 Most Photogenic Gymnasts

Kyle — once again — named one of the 50 most photogenic gymnasts in the world 2006 by Inside Gymnastics magazine.


Kyle travelled to National Championships in Regina doing school visits and promotional appearances, but did not compete.


Kyle & Bailey Bridger at St. Gregory School, Regina
Leader-Post

He has minor tendonitis in the Achilles tendon. But Sonorex (high intensity ultra-sound) worked quite well on this nagging injury last year. Kyle expects it to heal up quickly again this time.

He’s taking no chances. The goal is team qualification for the Olympics 2008. Kyle wants to peak for Worlds in September.

Here's Kyle in treatment.


Kyle & Alberta Commonwealth Games Team

Named Alberta Athletes of the Year at an Awards Presentation in Banff. The Team won Commonwealth Games 2006.


Hey - Kyle on Backflip magazine

Check the header on the Backflip home page.


More Worlds 2006 Photos

We've posted 50 more photos of Kyle at Worlds in Denmark. They are excellent, shot by super photographer Gracie Chiu. (Who says Kyle does not do rings?)


Agenda Sport Management

Kyle has joined , a small, prestigious Canadian firm — Agenda Sport Management — which represents Olympic Champion Beckie Scott, also from Alberta. They have some BIG things planned.


National Team Training Camp Feb 5-12th, 2007 Cancun, Mexico

Relaxation, training and planning for the months leading up to Olympic qualification and Beijing.


Gold Medal Plates winners Feb 2-5th, 2007 Orlando

Kyle and Melissa host the winners of the Gold Medal Plates auction. Off to Florida are 7 families of four. Highlights include attending Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba and a day at Disney World.


Kyle a celebrity chef !

In January Kyle tapes an episode of "Your City" for City TV — as a celebrity chef. (Stay tuned for an update as to when the episode will air.)


EPCOR Parade of Champions Jan 26th, 2007 Edmonton

Kyle took 10 young and up and coming gymnasts and their families to an Oilers ice hockey game. The group were introduced to the audience.


World Cup Final December 16-17th, Brazil

Kyle took the silver medal on Floor behind Diego Hypolito of Brazil. (We thought it might be tough to beat Hypolito in his own country.)

Happily, Kyle's team-mate Brandon O'Neill was 3rd. Two Canadians on the podium.

Kyle was very happy to compete the World Cup Final after missing the meet last year due to scheduling conflicts.

Shewfelt Leads Canadian Medal Hopefuls - Gymnastics Canada


photo Sam Sanford Blades


Special Olympics Festival on December 6th in Toronto


Gold Medal Plates

Kyle has been a busy man this November! He has been travelling to various cities across Canada attending the Gold Medal Plates events — a fundraising initiative where all of the proceeds go directly to Canada's athletes through the "Own the Podium" and "Road to Excellence" programs.

Canada's top Olympians are paired with a local chef and team up to display both culinary and athletic excellence. Some of Canada's finest winery's are also involved providing guests with a taste of wine that compliments the dish.

Kyle was also able to inspire a new generation of Olympians in each city by making school presentations which were supported by EPCOR's "Education through Sport" program.

The seven city tour concluded this week with Calgary's event. Although the final numbers are not in as of yet, all of the dinners were a great success! Not only did guests get to meet many of Canada's Olympians and Olympic hopefuls, but they were also treated to some of the finest food this country has to offer.

The Gold Medal Plates has paired with VANOC and the COC and will now be an annual event, hopefully gaining huge momentum in the lead up to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games.

Kyle would like to thank the title sponsors, GE and EPCOR. And everyone who attended the events for believing in the amazing potential of every Canadian athlete. Many Olympic dreams will become a reality because of the generous support that was shown all across the country.


World Championships 2006

The team that made history: 6th in the World.

Brandon, Ken, Grant, Kyle, Nathan, David and Adam.


larger size


Elyse wins first ever women's Canadian Worlds medal

Bronze on beam. Fantastic!

This is great for Canadian gymnastics. Elyse was also 16th All-around.

“It was an unbelievable moment for Elyse,” said Carol-Angela Orchard, who coaches Hopfner-Hibbs at Toronto’s Seneca College.

“She has worked really hard and she really does have an original, wonderful beam routine, so it’s nice to see it rewarded here.”

Orchard said her star pupil has been helped by Shewfelt’s guidance and experience as the leader on Canada’s gymnastics team.

“Kyle takes the time to come over and talk with her at every competition and he really believes in her and that’s not a bad advantage to you have an Olympic champion in your corner.”

breakthrough for Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs at World Championships


Shewfelt wins bronze medal at Worlds

Another notch on the belt of Canada's best gymnast ever.

Four former world champions and the Olympic champion qualified for finals.

"Marian Dragulescu of Romania won the gold with 16.250 points and Diego Hypolito of Brazil took the silver with 16.150.

Shewfelt, whose routine didn’t have as high a degree of difficulty as either Dragulescu or Hypolito, relied on his trademark clean execution and artistry to carry him to the podium with a score of 15.700.

“I guess you could say I was best of the rest,” said Shewfelt, explaining how his achilles injury prevented him from adding more difficult elements to his routine prior to the championships.

“Those two guys are pushing the start value high and that meant that for me there was absolutely no room for error to come up with a bronze medal."


Adam 9th, Nathan 17th

Best ever result in the all-around for Canada. Congratulations Adam and Nathan. Both are young and still improving. Look out in 2008!

Photo is Adam Wong by Grace Chiu.


Canada 6th in the World. "best-ever team result". Congratulations Adam, Nathan, Grant, Brandon, Ken, David and Kyle. Team rank was the #1 goal for this competition.


Canadian men finish 5th in Team preliminaries. Top 8 qualify to finals. Kyle thrilled with the team result.

Kyle's also qualified to the Floor (finalists .pdf) final despite a controversial deduction for out-of-bounds. Dragalescu is the man to beat.

More articles:

Oct 15 - Canadian men reach new heights at world gymnastics championships

Oct 14 - Canada goes to the video three times on first day of world gymnastics event

Oct 16 - N.S. gymnastics couple Kikuchi, Gilmore off to world championships in Denmark

Oct 12 - Shewfelt leads Cdns. at worlds


Kyle one of Calgary's Top 40 under 40

Gymnast and motivational speaker, Kyle is one of the young leaders in a youthful, dynamic city.


Toronto Film Festival

Kyle is starring in a Hungarian gymnastics movie loosely based on real life. It's called "White Palms" (get it?) directed by the brother of Kyle's one time assistant coach Uldi Hajdu. Both Kyle and Uldi act in the film.

Kyle will travel to Toronto for the opening at the world's best film festival.

Miklós (Uldi) ... finds a job in Calgary coaching young gymnasts and eventually takes on tempestuous prodigy Kyle (real-life Olympian Kyle Shewfelt), who gives him nothing but grief. ...

... Shewfelt, who won the gold medal for men's floor exercises in the artistic gymnastics competition at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, was coached by Uldi Hajdu in real life — but Shewfelt's similarities to his character end there.


filming in Hungary


Sept 6 - up-and-coming Canadian gymnast motivated by Kyle's success

Lukenchuk experienced a revelation during the 2004 Athens Olympics, when Canada's Kyle Shewfelt walked away with a gold medal in the floor exercise. Lukenchuk, who trains at the Saskatoon Taiso Gymnastic Club, is an Olympic hopeful -- he's eying 2008 and/or 2012 -- and that resolve hardened when he watched Shewfelt on the podium. ...

"I didn't think any Canadian could do it," said Lukenchuk, who is coached by Taiso and national junior-team coach Markos Baikos.

"When he won that gold, it made me want to try harder -- to do better in gymnastics and be like him.

"(Getting to the Olympics) is pretty important to me, and I'm training really hard to get there."


Kyle's photos from Beijing

The Canadian National Team trained at the Chinese National Training Centre June 30-July 12, 2006. Kyle was impressed with the facility.


more photos on Flickr


Nominations opened for Team Visa Canada. Email Rick McCharles, the website editor, if you would like to add your support.

Details on the TeamVisa.ca nominations page.

Team Visa would like to add up to 5 Olympic sport athletes to their already impressive roster. OUR popular defending Olympic Champion would be a perfect addition. Certainly Kyle is still the man to beat for Beijing.


Kyle named to the Bell Champions Program

Details on GymCan.org. Congratulations! Kyle is an excellent choice as a speaker and mentor!


Pacific Alliance 2006

Apr 16 - Kyle had fun in Hawaii! Gold medals on Floor and Vault competing against many of the strongest teams in the world.

Wow! Canada almost defeated Japan, defending Olympic champions. Still Canada beat China, the USA, and Korea. The first time ever! Congratulations.

Our top all-arounder Nathan Gafuik took the bronze. In finals Nate was second on Vault and took the Gold on horizontal bar. That means 3 gold medals for Canada out of 6 on the last day. Fantastic!

Kyle in the team competition was first on floor (15.45) and vault (16.55). In the final he won with floor (15.600) and vault (16.375).

Apr 15 - History in the making! Silver medal for the Men’s Team at the Pacific Alliance Championships

Apr 15 - Canadian gymnasts win five medals at the Pacific Alliance Championships

Pacific Alliance Gymnastics Championships


Commonwealth Games

CP "I don't think anything in my life will ever compare to that moment in Athens, just the shock of it, and the total elation that I felt. I was just in a complete daze, I almost didn't know what was going on because I was so happy," said Shewfelt.

"Now my experience is starting to come through and I'm very comfortable in the competition situation and I'm focused," he added. "I want to show the audience I'm having a great time doing gymnastics, because I feel pretty privileged to have the opportunity."

"I'm really proud of the way the team performed on Thursday night (when they won gold in the men's team event), and the individual performances throughout the individual all-around and the finals were just amazing," said Shewfelt.

"Everybody got a little taste of success here, and that's the way we wanted it to be."

Mar 20 - Shewfelt Leads Gold Medal Haul Down Under. Congratulations to the other Canadian individual event gold medalists: Grant Golding, Adam Wong and Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs.

Mar 20 - 1-2 finish for Shewfelt and Gafuik on Vault. "The gold was a fitting reward for Kyle, who narrowly missed the bronze on the vault at the 2004 Athens Olympics."

Mar 18 - Shewfelt was upbeat and optimistic, even though he had to settle for bronze on Floor Exercise. "I love gymnastics. But sometimes you fall on your butt. That's the reality of it. I'm not going to let it get me down."

Mar 18 - Adam Wong hit one of his best Floor routines ever to claim top spot on the Free Exercise podium. Congratulations Adam!

Mar 17 - From Kyle's gym, Nathan Gafuik (age 20) took Silver in the men's all-around competition. Congratulations to Nate and his long time coach Tony Smith!

Mar 16 - Shewfelt team wins gold at Commonwealth Games.
I felt so comfortable out there competing ... it comes down to having four good teammates.


number 1


from CBC TV

Mar 16 - “It was a great day at the office”. Canada wins the Commonwealth Games Men's Team Competition. Congratulations!

Mar 14 - "We could come out with six or seven medals"... says Kyle. Cam Maxwell, Calgary Sun.

Mar 14 - Ten Canadian athletes to watch at 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Mar 13 - Shewfelt to return at Commonwealth Games. Kyle highlights a team of 253 Canadian athletes competing at the Games.

Kyle acts in an award winning Hungarian film called White Palms. Read the Variety review. The film stars one of Kyle's former coaches, Miklos "Uldi" Hajdu.

Mar 8 - Malaysian gymnast Ng Shu Wai is looking forward to competing against Kyle. Shu Wai was 2nd at the Manchester Games four years ago and looks for revenge, this time.

Feb 11 - Commonwealth Games Team announced:

team

Adam Wong (Calgary), Grant Golding (Calgary), David Kikuchi (Halifax), Nathan Gafuik (Calgary), Kyle Shewfelt (Calgary)

Kyle is excited about the team.  The Commonwealth Games are March 15-26 in Melbourne, Australia. Canada did not win 4-years ago. They have something to prove in 2006 though the implications of the new code of points makes things more complicated.

Kyle looked great on floor and vault as always and also counted the second best score on high bar.

Feb 9 - Olympic champion Kyle Shewfelt posts perfect score at Commonwealth Games Trials
Judges awarded a perfect 10 for execution on vault in the first day of competition. On Floor Kyle edged out teammate Brandon O'Neil, arguably his strongest competitor in the world. High Bar was hit as well. Overall, Kyle was pleased — and is psyched for day 2 of the trials.

Feb 9 - Golden touch is back
Shewfelt still superb after layoff!

Annual Gymnastics Canada auction. Kyle is a big booster of the GoBid.ca charity fund-raiser! Check it out to see if there are any good items for you to bid on. Last bids accepted Feb. 20, 2006.


New member of the family. Melissa gave Kyle a lovable Labrador puppy for Christmas!

        

Click on any of the cute thumbnails of Zoey to see a larger version in a new window.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Kyle Shewfelt! All the best in 2006!

Click on Kyle's photo to see a larger version.

And Merry Christmas from Kelly, Susan & Barrett Manjak.


Elite Canada 2005 in Gatineau, Quebec Dec. 9-11 was a National Team selection meet. The best two Floor Exercise men in the world (we feel) attended — but did not compete. Brandon is taking a break after World Championships. Kyle still recovering from a minor foot injury.  

A highlight of the event was seeing 7 of the 14 Canadian Sr. National Team members selected from Kyle's club, the University of Calgary. With half the team, U of C becomes the de facto National Team training centre.


The Sport Celebrities Festival held this year in Toronto is perhaps Kyle's favourite charity event of the year.


click photo to see a larger version

It is a huge fundraiser for Special Olympics Canada. Can you spot football great Pinball Clemons? Olympian Marnie McBean? Celebrating with some of their favourite athletes?


World Chamionships - Nov. 21-27, Melbourne, Australia. Congratulations! Brandon O'Neil takes silver on Floor at Worlds. (We feel he deserved the gold.)

Canada has decided not to send a full team — instead concentrating on preparation for Commonwealth Games 2006. Only one individual will represent Canada.

Kyle will not be competing at the World Individual Championships. He has a minor injury & has not been able to devote enough training time due to a heavy schedule of personal appearances. But Kyle will be cheering on up-and-comer Canadian Brandon O'Neil. Many would name Brandon favourite on Floor Exercise with Kyle out of the running. After Kyle won the Olympics, the door is now open for other Canadian gymnasts to reach the podium in the future.

Marian Dragulescu of Romania, who announced his retirement in July, made a comeback for Worlds. Congratulations.


Road to Champions Galas, were a series of fund-raising dinners to support, celebrate & highlight Canadian Elite Athletes. Excellent events.

Kyle wishes to thank Bell Canada for ongoing support of athletes in Canada. This is one corporation that stands up for amateur sport!

Oct 12 - Gymnastics and Skating Spectacular in Atlanta. Kyle & many more international superstars. (updated — Kyle had a minor ankle injury at this show. But is recovering quickly!)

Sept - Kyle voted one of top 10 Alberta male athletes of all time by Our Alberta magazine.

Sept 26 - Mexico City for a National team training camp.

Sept 14 - HBC (Hudson Bay Company) is the official uniform supplier for the Canadian Olympic Team. Kyle flogs the 2005 HBC golf tourney which last year raised $400,000 in support of the Commonwealth Games team. Kyle is defending Commonwealth Floor & Vault champion.

Kyle is also a big booster of the See You In Torino fund. This group also sponsors See You in Beijing!

Aug 22 - The one year anniversary of the gold medal!

My Year After Athens

The Olympic floor champion reflects on the changes in his life since his golden moment. Look for a 4 page feature article in the September / October issue of International Gymnast magazine.

Check out the latest Kyle Shewfelt celebrity photos.


Lance Armstrong

July 24 - Congratulations Lance! Kyle is a big fan of the greatest Tour cyclist of all time. Support the Lance Armstrong Foundation for Cancer research. Wear the yellow Live Strong bracelet!

July 13 - Kyle travelling! Much in demand as a public speaker, clinician & celebrity, Kyle was headliner at the Gymjam camp at UCLA in California then flew home to Calgary to demonstrate at a coaching clinic. Despite the frantic schedule, Kyle is training new skills on Floor & Vault, anticipating the requirements of the new code of points.


Kyle with advanced coaches in Calgary

July 11 - Kyle’s greatest rival, Marian Dragulescu of Romania, announced his retirement. My only regret is that I did not win an Olympic gold, Dragulescu said. Otherwise, I did everything that I could. Kyle spent some time with Marian in Europe and — for the record — does not blame Dragulescu for accepting the bronze on vault in Athens. Athletes have no control over judges scores.

Kyle recommends books for athletes:

Tips on motivation & how to be your best.

Is Brandon O’Neill the next Kyle Shewfelt? At a World Cup competition in Belgium, Kyle’s National team mate Brandon posted a 9.350 score for the gold finishing ahead of Gal of Hungary at 9.262 and Dragulescu of Romania, the Olympic silver medallist and 2001 world champion. Congratulations Brandon. Update — Brandon later scored 9.85 at trials for the 2005 FISU games!

Kyle wins Male Athlete of the Year at the 32nd Annual Canadian Sport Awards. Congratulations! Kelly Manjak was a runner up for Coach of the Year.

A home grown talent, Kyle also won Male Athlete of the Year for Alberta. The awards ceremony was in the Canadian Rockies — Banff — which will also host Provincial Championships 2005.

Gymn.ca — Kyle’s profile updated
A second medal seemed almost assured for Shewfelt. ... In one of the sport’s many judging controversies at those Olympics, two of the judges actually gave a higher score on Dragulescu’s second vault with a fall than to Shewfelt’s vault (exactly the same vault) with only a small hop. ... Eventually, four of the vault judges were suspended by the FIG.

"This, never again!" boomed President Grandi on the FIG website. "The victims ... are not the judges, but the gymnasts, frustrated, victims of injustice, of a hold up."

Mar 13 - Gymnastics Canada president happy Olympic Games judges suspended but wanted more action

Kyle's club hosts Jurassic Classic March 17-20, the biggest invitational competition in Canada

Mar 11 - Judges suspended after Olympics gymnastics controversies
Kyle pleased that the sport has identified the error and has taken an aggressive stance on correcting it.

Kyle inducted into Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. At age 22, he is the youngest. Ceremony at the Hall of Fame Museum in Red Deer May 27.

updated Kyle again one of the 50 most photogenic gymnasts as selected by Inside Gymnastics magazine 2005. Katrina writes, Kyle is the most amazing gymnast and his style, form & ability greatly differentiates him from all other gymnasts today.

Feb 27 - Kyle‘s benefit for Edmonton Sport Centre with Kareem & Gizmo Williams.

Shewfelt named Booster Club male athlete of year over Sports Illustrated NHL Player of the Year Jarome Iginla.

Kelly Manjak also nominated for Coach of the Year. Congratulations!

Kyle visits Kelly at Mississaugua Gym Club. Photos.

Feb - Kyle now in the Wikipedia encyclopedia

Jan 28-29 - Rock & Roll Gymnastics Tour stops in Ontario. Kyle performed with Paul Hamm, Hollie Vise & other (mostly American) stars. It was a great time!

Jan 22 - Miracle on the Floor charity fund-raiser featured guest speakers Kyle and coach Kelly Manjak recounting comic & touching moments from 16 years training together. Kelly said, Kyle — you turned out to be a much finer person than gymnast.

Kyle’s new coach Tony Smith was recognized along with University of Calgary Olympian team-mates Grant Golding & Nathan Gafuik.

Jan/Feb 2005 - Avenue magazine picked Kyle as one of 14 handsome men in Calgary.
Polite and ever so charming.

Jan/Feb 2005 - Kyle cover story on the influential Canadian athlete magazine, Impact.
Photographer Ewan Nicholson.

KYLE Canadian Press MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2004.

WOW! Kyle finished narrowly ahead of NHL ice hockey superstar Martin St. Louis (MVP in 2004) and double Olympic medallist kayaker Adam van Koeverden. The award is given by savvy sports editors and broadcasters — who understand just how competitive men's gymnastics is around the world. More ....

Jan - Kyle featured twice in International Gymnast Magazine — Year in Photos 2004

Dec 31 - A Gold Star for the Teacher
Interview with Kelly Manjak post-Olympics.

Dec - Shewfelt snags more glory

Dec 23 - Gymnastics awarded best TV coverage at the Olympics. The television audience for the Athens Games broke all records. In Canada, the largest TV audience was for Kyle during the vault final.

Dec - Kyle nominated as foreign International Male Gymnast of the Year by Inside Gymnastics magazine. Kyle & Jordan were also nominated last year.

  • Marian Dragulescu, Romania
  • Kim Dae Eun, Korea
  • Jordan Jovtchev, Bulgaria
  • Alexei Nemov, Russia
  • Yang Tae Young, Korea

Nov 6 - Shewfelt says money needed for medal appeal better spent on gymnastics team. Something positive is going to come out of it.

Nov 4 - Gymnastics Canada withdraws Court of Arbitration for Sport Appeal. Cost is too great.

Oct 30 - Major interview with Kyle by Gymn.ca

Oct 28 - Kelly Manjak recipient of the Jack Donohue “Coach of the Year” Award. Kelly also honoured with Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award.

Oct 19 - Shewfelt: Gymnastics for life
The Olympic gold medallist 'can't even think about' what he would be doing without the sport.

Oct 7 - Shewfelt flips over new fame

Sept 25 - Canadian medallists outspoken on Olympic experience

Sept 24 - IMG signs van Koeverden & Shewfelt. International Management Group Canada will represent the gold medalists through the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008.

Sept 17 - Should Kyle have won a second medal on vault? Gymnastics Canada files an application with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. (The application was later withdrawn.)

Sept 2 - Nobody Wins
Dwight Normile’s insightful commentary on the Olympic all-around debacle. NBC biased.

Sept 1 - City Shews its delight
Olympic champion honoured.
Kyle arrives by helicopter to a rally at Canada Olympic Park. homecoming celebration photos

Sept 1 - ... if COC wants to criticize medal count, it needs to 'step up'

Aug 31 - Kyle & girlfriend Melissa take a well deserved holiday. Kyle will take that time to decide if he will train for Olympics 2008. He is young & could easily compete at the top of the world for 4 more years. Kyle & life long coach Kelly Manjak, however, will each go their own way in what Alan Maki called, A Very Sweet Parting.

Aug 30 - Coach Kelly Manjak announced a second Gold Medal. It‘s a Boy! Barrett Alec Thomas Manjak was born a healthy 7 pounds 3 ounces. Kelly and Susan are proud and happy parents.

Aug 28 - Controversy mars Artistic Gymnastics in Athens

Aug 28 - Shewfelt did himself proud by distancing himself from the controversy

Aug 27 - Altadore benefits from Shewfelt's gold-medal victory

Aug 27 - Canadian Olympic Committee adds its voice to vault outcry

Aug 24 - Kyle Fourth In Vault Final; Canada Protests

Kyle finished 4th on vault in a much criticized judging decision. Most gymnastics experts ranked Kyle 3rd (bronze medal) or even second (silver medal) — if the rules had been applied correctly. Review the video and decide for yourself. Men’s gymnastics judging in Athens — particularly the chief judge from Romania — is under investigation by IOC.

Aug 22 - Kyle ... revives Canadian gymnastics fortunes
Hardy Fink, head judge for floor exercises at the Athens Games, has described Shewfelt's tumbling routine as "the best that's ever been. There is a virtuosity to his performance that even a layman can appreciate."

Aug 22 - Shewfelt's grandma was expecting gold

Aug 22 - the routine of my life ... (from the Gymnastics Canada website)

Aug 22 - Golden moment goes down in history

MIRACLE ON THE FLOOR! Kyle wins gold on Floor Exercise, giving Canada its first medal ever in Olympic artistic gymnastics -- and the country’s first Olympic Champion of the Athens Games! Kyle stuck his dismount to score 9.787, tying Marian Dragulescu. Kyle won gold after a tie-breaking rule was applied.

Dragulescu was gracious in the narrow defeat, "Kyle performed better than me. The difference between his performance and mine was very small, but still, he was a little better." (FIG website)

The loss may be forgotten somewhat for Dragulescu when he gets paid. Each Romanian gold medalist receives US$66,500, silver medalists $53,000, & bronze medalists $40,000. The coaches receive the same amount for each medal won by their athletes.

In the men's competition Romania won the team bronze. Dragulescu won silver on the floor exercise and bronze on vault.

Canadian athletes are paid nothing for Olympic medals.

Aug 22 - Shewfelt Set To Go In Floor Final (from the Gymnastics Canada website)

Kyle qualifies to the Olympic Finals in his best events; 9.687 on Vault (5th) & 9.737 on Floor (3rd). Video posted online.

Adam Wong and Grant Golding of Calgary were Canada's top all-around gymnasts. The team finished 11th. Kyle is proud of the team and everything they accomplished together.


photo © Grace Chiu, grace@webografix.ca

Putting on a big Shew!

Shewfelt shines in men's gymnastics qualification

Canadian Olympic Team photos by our favourite clickster Grace Chiu are posted on the Gymn.ca site.


at the Flag raising ceremony
photo © Grace Chiu, grace@webografix.ca

Aug 14 - Despite Early Draw, Canada Focusing on Finals

Sports Illustrated magazine predicts Kyle will win gold on Floor in Athens. Marian Dragulescu will win predicts USA Today.

Kyle featured in Olympic issue of Canadian Time magazine.

Aug 12 - Almost a Shew-in. Calgary gymnast determined to make history

Aug 11 - Olympic e-mail home 2. Walking, training, broken air conditioner, flag raising and more walking!
I went through a great routine today and I felt like all eyes in the gym were on me.

Aug 8 - Olympic e-mail home 1. Arrival, excitement and free stuff!

Aug 5 - Routine Ability. Feature article. My parents are pretty proud of me.

Aug 4 - Kyle’s Olympic Diary. Only days to go, and everything's falling into place. Any of the 12 senior team members could have easily been a part of this team, but unfortunately, only six could be. We wouldn't even be close to the point we are at right now if it wasn't for the depth of the entire national team.

July 24 - Calgary a hotbed for Olympic Gymnasts (Cam Maxwell)

July 21 - CBC television did not film the coach's send-off for Kyle hosted by one of his biggest fans. Look for Kyle's cheering section at the Olympics — the ones wearing crazy red maple leaf hats. Kyle is pleased and boosted by support of friends & family travelling to Athens, but appalled at the cost of the trip. His parents have had almost no assistance in funding the trip.

July 20 - CBC television filmed the Altadore athlete's send-off for Kyle. Comic skits were the highlight, titled "How to win an Olympic medal". Kyle thanked the athletes & his club of over 15 years for the support. I couldn't have done it without you.

July 12 - Shewfelt means business. High expectations for Athens. Team captain, Kyle is confident Canada can meet the goal of a top 8 finish when they hit.

July 11- Kyle qualifies to his second Olympic Team as did Alexander (Sasha) Jeltkov. These veterans are anchors for a young, fast-improving team:

  • Grand Golding
  • David Kikuchi
  • Adam Wong
  • Ken Ikeda
  • Nathan Gafuik (alternate)

Trials were competitive & stressful. Any of the athletes not selected could have contributed to the Olympic team score, particularly Brandon O’Neill on Floor & Vault — and including Rhett Stinson who was not invited to try out. Despite unexpected errors at Trials, coach Kelly Manjak declares this a stronger team than the one which finished 9th at Worlds 2003. He predicts big things for Canada in Athens. Kyle is feeling good, on target to peak at the Olympics. Interestingly, 4 of the 7 team members train in Calgary.


Calgarians on the Team visiting Cirque du Soleil
(Calgary Sun/Kevin Udahl)

July 10 - Kyle top specialist (competing at least 4 events but not the all around) at the final Olympic trial putting up high scores on 3 events including a 9.7 vault & 9.6 floor. Full results of Olympic Trials. Final Team to be named based on contributing scores July 11th.

July 8 - ... Shewfelt Shows Amazing Recovery at first Olympic trial in Calgary:

  • 9.8 on Vault
  • 9.5 on Floor
  • 9.5 on Horizontal Bar

Kyle confirmed his foot injury is healed with super performances on 3 events. Congratulations. Full results on the GCG website. Gymn.ca posted video including Kyle's Floor, Vault and H Bar.

June 12 - Kyle best man at coach Kelly Manjak’s wedding

April - Kyle‘s coach Kelly Manjak announces he will be leaving Calgary following the Athens Olympics after over 14 years as Altadore Head Coach. Congratulations are in order. Kelly will wed coach Susan Barrett in June. The happy couple are expecting a baby in the Fall and post-Olympics will move to Toronto to be closer to Sue’s family.

March - International Gymnast magazine interview with Kyle.

March - Following a good training / conditioning cycle, Kyle travelled to Europe for the World Cup. In Cottbus he again qualified first on Floor in preliminaries in a strong field.

Unfortunately while qualifying for Vault finals, Kyle injured his left foot. Rather than risk further damage, he withdrew from finals & flew home for the best possible medical treatment. Kyle is back training but full recovery is expected to take some weeks. Details.

March 17 - Cam Maxwell interview with Kyle post-injury.

March, 6 - 7, Cottbus, Germany
28th Turnier der Meister. World Cup with Brandon O'Neil

December - Kyle nominated as International Male Gymnast of the Year by Inside Gymnastics magazine. Other finalists:

  • Jordan Jovtchev (Bulgaria) - World Champion floor & rings
  • Takehiro Kashima (Japan) - World Champion pommel & high bar
  • Yang Wei (China) - Worlds 2003 All-around silver
  • Li Xiaopeng (China) - World Champion on vault & parallel bars
  • Yernar Yerimbetov (Kazakhstan) - 4th All-around 2003 Worlds

Kyle’s coach Kelly Manjak WINS prestigious CAC Coaching Excellence Award 2003.

Shewfelt shifts focus to Athens (IG interview, scroll down)

World Championships 2003
Double Bronze Medallist World Championships Floor & Vault


photo © Grace Chiu, grace@webografix.ca

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Kyle Shewfelt

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