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Olympic FLOOR CHAMPION, Athens 2004   photo © Grace Chiu, grace@webografix.ca Kyle Shewfelt, inspirational public speaker, is a high-energy go-getter with an endearing personality. More on the Sweeney Agency & Speaker.ca websites. New on the website Jun 1 - 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.
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 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.
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:
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 Feb 9 - Golden touch is back 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Aug 22 - The one year anniversary of the gold medal!
Check out the latest Kyle Shewfelt celebrity photos.
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.
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:
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 "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
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 - Kyle cover story on the influential Canadian athlete magazine, Impact. 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 ....
Dec 31 - A Gold Star for the Teacher 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.
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 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 Sept 1 - City Shews its delight 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 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 - 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.
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.
Shewfelt shines in men's gymnastics qualification Canadian Olympic Team photos by our favourite clickster Grace Chiu are posted on the Gymn.ca site.
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! 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 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.
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.
July 8 - ... Shewfelt Shows Amazing Recovery at first Olympic trial in Calgary:
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
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.
March 17 - Cam Maxwell interview with Kyle post-injury. March, 6 - 7, Cottbus, Germany
Kyle’s coach Kelly Manjak WINS prestigious CAC Coaching Excellence Award 2003. Shewfelt shifts focus to Athens (IG interview, scroll down) World Championships 2003
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Mar 20 - 
And Merry Christmas from Kelly, Susan & Barrett Manjak. 
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 
Jan/Feb 2005 - 
Jan - Kyle featured twice in 
Marian Dragulescu, Romania
Oct 19 - Shewfelt: Gymnastics for life
Aug 30 - Coach 
Aug 22 - Kyle ... revives Canadian gymnastics fortunes
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)
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 11- Kyle qualifies to his second Olympic Team as did Alexander (Sasha) Jeltkov. These veterans are anchors for a young, fast-improving team:
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.
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