03. April 2014  
Calgary, Canada  
Artistic Gymnastics

Great Honor for Canadian Gymnast Kyle Shewfelt

Kyle Shewfelt (CAN)

Kyle SHEWFELT (CAN) is among a stellar group of golden athletes announced as 2014 Canada's Olympic Hall of Fame Inductees.
The three-time Olympian, Kyle Shewfelt made a historic breakthrough at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens when he won gold on floor exercise for Canada’s first ever Olympic medal in artistic gymnastics. Shewfelt nearly added a second medal on vault, but missed out on the bronze in a controversial judging decision. Kyle Shewfelt's Olympic gold medal in gymnastics shines bright a decade later because it is the first and only of its kind in Canada.  The Calgarian is among the athletes, builders and coaches who will be inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in June. He'll join speedskater Cindy Klassen, the victorious men's eight rowing team of 2008, speedskating coach Marcel Lacroix, hockey coach Pat Quinn and the late, former Alberta premier Ralph Klein among the 2014 inductees ...

Unlike the Olympic champion who has a teammate or hero to follow or emulate, Shewfelt blazed his own trail to win the floor routine in 2004.
He is the only Canadian to win an Olympic medal of any colour in gymnastics:

* GYM v i d e o  : Kyle SHEWFELT - Golden Exercise 2004, Athens:
 

* Youtube (84,507)

While Shewfelt’s gymnastics was internationally renowned for its flow, cleanliness and elegance, he was as equally a determined competitor.

After Shewfelt broke both of his legs on a bad landing during a training session at the 2007 World Championships, he underwent surgery and rehabilitation. Just 11 months later he was back on the Olympic stage, competing at Beijing 2008 and providing even more inspiration to young Canadian gymnasts.

Shewfelt(re.), 2006, with the dynamic stars of the last century, the former World Champions Hypolito (li.) and Dragulescu

Shewfelt was also an innovator, being the first man to perform a two-and-a-half twisting Yurchenko vault which was subsequently named in his honour.

The longtime leader of the Canadian men’s team, Shewfelt enjoyed success outside of the Olympic arena. His trophy case includes three bronze medals (2003 floor exercise, 2003 vault, 2006 floor exercise) from the FIG World Championships.
He was a six-time medallist in two appearances at the Commonwealth Games, including back-to-back gold medals on floor exercise as well as a 2002 gold medal on vault. He also led the Canadian men to gold in the 2006 team event.

Since retiring in 2009, Shewfelt has remained involved with the sport as a television commentator as well as an ambassador and mentor for Gymnastics Canada. In 2013 he opened Kyle Shewfelt Gymnastics with programs for all ages. Shewfelt was inducted to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
* source Canadian NOC