Rachael Riley (born 2004) is a Canadian artistic gymnast and member of the Canadian national gymnastics team.

Rachael Riley
Country represented Canada
Born2004 (age 19–20)
Anqing, China
HometownSarnia, Ontario Canada
DisciplineWomen's artistic gymnastics
LevelSenior International Elite
Years on national team2018–21 (CAN)
ClubBluewater Gymnastics
College teamRutgers Scarlet Knights (2023–26)
Head coach(es)Pilar Maldonado

Early life

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Riley was born in Anqing, China in 2004.[1] She attended St. Patrick's Catholic High School in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.[2]

Gymnastics career

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Junior

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2017

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Riley competed at the Canadian Championships in the Novice division where she placed first in the all-around and on vault and second on floor exercise. Riley competed at Elite Gym Massilia where she placed twenty-fourth in the open all-around.[3] She also competed at the Top Gym where she placed twenty-seventh in the all-around, seventh on the balance beam and in the team final, and tenth on vault.[4]

2018

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In February Riley competed at Elite Canada where she placed fourth in the all-around behind Emma Spence, Imogen Paterson, and Kyra Cato. During event finals she won gold on vault, placed fifth on balance beam, and fourth on floor exercise.[5] At the Canadian Championships in May Riley placed fourth in the all-around behind Zoé Allaire-Bourgie, Spence, and Quinn Skrupa.[6] As a result she was added to the junior national team for the first time.[7] In November Riley competed at Elite Gym Massilia where she placed thirteenth in the all-around and won silver on vault behind Lilia Akhaimova.[8] She ended the season competing at the Top Gym Tournament where she placed tenth in the all-around, second on vault behind Silviana Sfiringu, and eighth on uneven bars.[9]

2019

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Riley competed at Elite Canada where she placed twelfth but recorded the highest score on vault.[10][11] In March she competed at the 2019 L'International Gymnix. She helped Canada win the bronze medal behind the United States and Belgium. Individually Riley won bronze on vault behind Skye Blakely and Olivia Greaves.[12][13]

Senior

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2020

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Riley turned senior in 2020 and was scheduled to make her senior debut at Elite Canada but had to withdraw from the competition due to illness.[14] She made her debut at the 2020 L'International Gymnix competition where she was part of one of three Canadian teams. Her team finished sixth in the team final and Riley did not qualify to any individual event finals.[15] Riley was set to compete at a friendly competition in Indianapolis[16] but that was later canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.[17]

2021

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Riley returned to competition at the Koper Challenge Cup in September. While there she qualified to both the vault and balance beam finals; she placed seventh on both.[18]

Competitive history

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Year Event Team AA VT UB BB FX
Espoir
2017 Canadian Championships (novice)      
Elite Gym Massilia 24
Top Gym 7 27 10 7
Junior
2018 Elite Canada 4   5 4
Canadian Championships 4
Elite Gym Massilia 13  
Top Gym Tournament 10   8
2019 Elite Canada 12
International Gymnix   16  
Senior
2020 International Gymnix 6
2021 Koper Challenge Cup 7 7

References

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  1. ^ "National Teams Rachael Riley". GymCan.
  2. ^ "Gymnast Riley sets sights on 2024 Olympics". The Observer. February 6, 2020.
  3. ^ "2017 Elite Gym Massilia Results". The Gymternet. November 27, 2017.
  4. ^ "2017 Top Gym Tournament Results". The Gymternet. November 29, 2017.
  5. ^ "2018 Elite Canada Results". The Gymternet. February 3, 2018.
  6. ^ "2018 Canadian Championships Results". The Gymternet. May 28, 2018.
  7. ^ "Riley named to Gymnastics Canada junior national team". The Grove Examiner. July 26, 2018.
  8. ^ "20188 Elite Gym Massilia Results". The Gymternet. December 2, 2018.
  9. ^ "2018 Top Gym Tournament Results". The Gymternet. December 1, 2018.
  10. ^ "2019 Elite Canada Results". The Gymternet. February 2, 2019.
  11. ^ "Sports briefs: wrestling, rugby, gymnastics, basketball". Kingston Whig-Standard. February 4, 2019.
  12. ^ "2019 International Gymnix Results". The Gymternet. March 8, 2019.
  13. ^ "Eaker, Allaire-bourgie Light Up L'international Gymnix". Rocker Gymnastics. March 11, 2019.
  14. ^ "Sarnia gymnast still aiming for Paris 2024". Sarnia this Week. February 28, 2020.
  15. ^ "USA wins senior and junior team titles, 10 individual titles at 2020 Gymnix International". USA Gymnastics. March 9, 2020.
  16. ^ "Sports briefs: gymnastics, basketball, powerlifting". Woodstock Sentinel-Review. March 12, 2020.
  17. ^ "Coronavirus Update: March 16 - Event Cancellations and Postponements". USA Gymnastics. March 16, 2020.
  18. ^ "2021 Koper Challenge Cup Results". The Gymternet. September 6, 2021.
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