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By Dan Plouffe
There are a few well-known benefits that athletes often mention when they compete at home. One of the biggest perks is avoiding travel and getting to sleep in your own bed. The gymnasts from the Ottawa Gymnastics Centre really felt this convenience when their club hosted a men’s artistic gymnastics Ontario Cup meet from Dec. 12-14.
You know that flu going around? The OGC men can confirm it’s especially bad this year. They had a tough time just getting out of bed leading up to the season’s first provincial championships qualifier.
“The whole gym has been sick,” points out 2025 provincial champion Connor Nguyen, who only got back to training the week before the competition after being sidelined for a week and a half. “I sure didn’t really want to travel.”
Illness hit early enough so that the OGC gymnasts could still participate in the event, but most had to lower the difficulty of their skills.
“I didn’t change any of my routines, but it was still really hectic and nerve wracking,” says Nguyen, who was competing in the junior age 17-18 category for the first time after finishing eighth nationally in the age 15-16 group last season.
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Aside from some lingering sniffles, Nguyen declared himself “all good” for the Cup meet, though illness wasn’t his only challenge.
Gymnasts often say that competing at home gives them an advantage because they’re familiar with their equipment. However, that edge was lessened when the club’s parallel bars broke right before the competition and they had to replace the pommel horse too.
This only added to Nguyen’s nerves after a training mishap just days before when his hand slipped off the pommel horse, causing him to fall forward and hit his head. Although he didn’t have lasting effects from it, he still felt uneasy about competing on that apparatus.
“I didn’t really train on it before, so I was really scared, and then it was my first event too,” Nguyen recalls. “But there was no fall, so all good, and then that kind of set up my whole mood for the rest of the comp.” Connor Nguyen. Photo: Dan Plouffe
Nguyen managed to avoid problems across all his events and secured podium finishes on floor, high bar and vault, earning an all-around silver medal.
“I’m surprised it went so well,” admits Nguyen, who never checks his scores during competitions. “I don’t like to compare or it’ll get my hopes up after I see my scores. I go with the flow. I like that feeling. And getting surprised at the end with my scores is also a fun experience.”
Tumblers’ Elliot Choi was crowned floor champion in senior age 19-20 category. Photo: Dan Plouffe
Elliot Choi from Orleans’ Tumblers Gymnastics Centre also found joy in his results at this event.
The first-year senior competitor finished seventh nationally as a junior last year but could only participate in one event at Ontario Cup due to “a freak accident” which left him with a broken wrist two months ago during training.
While swinging on high bar, Choi tried turning his wrist as usual but ended up getting locked grip instead. He’s still recovering fully but thought he could handle performing on floor routine and ended up winning by almost a full point with a score of 12.5.
“I wasn’t even sure if I would compete,” reflects Choi. “I didn’t feel much pressure for this comp since I was just easing back into things; but it’s great being around everyone and feeling their energy.”
The injury hasn’t dampened Choi’s ambitions as a human kinetics student at University of Ottawa; he’s aiming for strong performances at February’s Elite Canada meet in Calgary along with springtime Canadian Championships.
“I want to see how many results I can get-maybe some medals,” smiles Choi. “It’s just my first season as senior; I’m still gaining experience but it’s been fantastic-everyone feels very welcoming here.”
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OGC Coach Florin Matei Draws Inspiration From His Journey To Ottawa
Florin Matei. Photo: Dan Plouffe The meet at OGC highlighted another less obvious benefit of hosting events: recruitment opportunities. For many years now Ottawa has been where Ontario Cup men’s circuit kicks off each season; Florin Matei has made many trips there-often as a judge (which he did while coaching OGC athletes during other sessions). “Ottawa always caught my attention,” shares Matei who is currently into his second year leading OGC’s men’s program. “It was both about the gym itself and its atmosphere.” The Westboro area surrounding OGC also appealed to Matei since he wasn’t moving far compared to previous relocations throughout his life. Matei used to be part of Romania’s national junior team before earning degrees related sports science including physical education along with starting coaching career. His family relocated first toward Israel back in ’96 shortly after Romania underwent political changes post-revolution against communism-and again opted out due instability around them later through ’12. “You’re always looking for better conditions available for your children,” explains Matei whose son happened just eight years old then. As he pursued master studies focused behavioral sciences helped clarify next path ahead. “In one course we discussed integration plus immigration topics wherein Canada consistently drew attention given multiculturalism policies adopted rather quickly,” remembers Matei reflecting why choosing Canada seemed appealing. Initially settling Owen Sound followed by Hamilton until finally commuting daily Kitchener-Waterloo prior taking opportunity lead OGC men’s program summer ’24. Florin Matei alongside Kyle Jubea. Photo: Dan Plouffe Although “nothing ever goes perfectly,” according coach there’s solid optimism regarding growth trajectory established within organization aimed towards helping every athlete achieve peak potential possible. “If they reach goals set forth-that makes me happy! Doesn’t mean securing gold medals necessarily; yet performing one’s best? That’s amazing!” emphasizes Coach recalling Connor making Team Ontario unexpectedly early success last season. “Such recognition holds immense honor.” asserts coach adding onto vision further down line encourages upward progression aiming higher possibilities yet untapped. Read More: From being scolded for bouncing on couch , Connor Nguyens now congratulated over provincial gymnastics crownSource link
