Samuel Kayll

How unexpected beginnings lit the fire inside Canada’s top rhythmic gymnast

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Montreal-born gymnast Suzanna Shahbazian won a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Courtesy Iris van den Broek

Samuel Kayll,
Local Journalism Initiative

Suzanna Shahbazian shares her story and plans for the future

Suzanna Shahbazian thought she was receiving a sweet treat.

The 20-year-old still smiles at the memory of her start in rhythmic gymnastics. At four years old, her mother regularly swam at a local sports complex. Just down the hall was Questo Rhythmic Gymnastics—the studio where Shahbazian still trains. 

One day, while helping a lost girl, Shahbazian’s mother stumbled into the Questo facilities. Intrigued, she returned home and told Shahbazian she had a surprise. 

“My naive self thought it was something like a chocolate or something sweet. And obviously, it wasn’t,” Shahbazian laughed. “So we headed to the gym, and my first coach saw me. She looked at my physical abilities: my splits, my points, my flexibility. And I started rhythmic gymnastics.”

Shahbazian trains at Questo Rhythmic Gymnastics in the Centre Sportif Côte-des-Neiges. Photo Jared Lackman-Mincoff

It’s safe to say Shahbazian doesn’t regret missing out on chocolate now.

Through coaching skepticism, untimely injuries and even belligerent teachers, Suzanna Shahbazian has blazed a trail through her love for rhythmic gymnastics. From the World Junior Championships to a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games to the 2025 FISU Games, her success has brought her to the forefront of Canadian representation in her sport. 

And she’s not done yet. 

“My goal is to bring Canada to a higher level in rhythmic gymnastics on the international stage,” Shahbazian said. “I want to show that with love for what you do, you can get to any goal you want.”

Shahbazian’s ascent surprised even her coach, Natalia Popova, who first trained Shahbazian at six years old. 

“She had flexibility, which is important for our sport,” Popova said. “But she was like an ordinary gymnast—nothing promised this big career. And she was short.”

Popova says Shahbazian’s patience played a key role in her success.

“This career takes patience, because there were many obstacles in her way up to these world competitions,” Popova said. “Now she takes a deeper way to understand how to prepare herself.”

Ekaterina Shtrevensky noticed Shahbazian’s passion for rhythmic gymnastics early on. The former national competitor and current Questo coach outlined Shahbazian’s hunger for knowledge both on and off the mat.

“[Shahbazian] has a pure love for the sport,” Shtrevensky said. “She knew all the champions’ names, the countries they represented, all of that. Even as a young gymnast, she knew that one day she would be up there alongside them. That passion and love really translated into her performances.”

As Shahbazian’s journey progressed, the workload grew. Competing year-round in tournaments like the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup, World Championships, and Pan American Championships took a toll on Shahbazian’s schedule—and her relationship with her teachers.

“We didn’t have a sports program in high school. Plus, I was in an enriched program,” Shahbazian said. “I couldn’t miss any classes or exams, and my teachers really didn’t like me. So when I came back from tournaments, they would not let me do any exams. It was very difficult.”

It wasn’t just academics that threatened Shahbazian’s performances, though. As an indoor sport, the COVID-19 pandemic took a particular toll on rhythmic gymnastics. Popova remembered a tournament in 2021 where Shahbazian not only competed online, but also with a severe injury. 

“When things started to be a bit easier with the restrictions, we had very limited time in the gym,” Popova said. “The first Elite Canada was by video, and I remember she had an injury at the time. I was planning not to put her in the competition, but she insisted that she could still do it.”

Popova points to that perseverance as a key part of Shahbazian’s influence at Questo. 

“I hope young kids will see that no matter what, if you like what you’re doing, you can continue as long as you can and you want,” Popova said. “So I hope they will see that, and I hope they will continue like Suzanna.”

Shahbazian knows what it’s like to look up to a club idol—Shtrevensky trained at Questo during Shahbazian’s youth. She hopes to set the example for Montreal’s next generation of rhythmic gymnasts

“When I was younger, I would look up to our senior gymnasts,” Shahbazian said. “I even took [Shtrevensky’s] hoop music in my senior program a year or two ago because I really loved her music when I was a child. So if the kids now look up to me as I once did, of course, it feels special.”

For Shtrevensky, it’s easy to see Shahbazian’s influence on younger gymnasts. She praised Shahbazian for breaking through rhythmic gymnastics’ barriers to flourish at a high level.  

“Fifteen years ago, anyone not meeting certain physical requirements was ruled out from the get-go,” Shtrevensky said. “Suzanna didn’t check all the boxes, but she compensated with her drive. She showed that the sky is the limit if you’re relentless.”

But it’s not just about the club. Rhythmic gymnastics remains a fairly niche sport in Canada, and Popova acknowledges the country’s second-tier international status behind giants like Belarus, Ukraine and Bulgaria.

“We learn from each competition because it’s no secret that our gymnastics is not very popular in Canada,” Popova said. “There aren’t many specialists here in Canada with good technical knowledge. It’s something we learn from, because all these European countries dominate this sport.”

In aiming for crucial performances at the World Championships, Shahbazian hopes to raise the country’s standing in the world of rhythmic gymnastics.

“Going on the carpet, especially when I do well, I can raise my rank,” Shahbazian said. “Every competition for me is a new step towards my end goal.”

For Shtrevensky, it’s inspirational to see not just Shahbazian’s passion, but also her humility.

“She makes this kind of success feel collaborative,” Shtrevensky said. “She goes out of her way to thank not only her coaches, but also the volunteers, the organizers and the other girls who all helped make this result possible.”

For Shahbazian, the World Championships, World Cup and even the 2028 Olympics are all tangible goals.

But it’s about more than that: it’s about Questo, about Montreal, and all of Canada. And her passion there will never fade.

“I always loved rhythmic gymnastics,” Shahbazian said. “I asked my mom, and she said that I was very driven, like I always had that fire inside of me.”

That fire? Given Shahbazian’s career, it may just have been the sweetest treat of them all.

How unexpected beginnings lit the fire inside Canada’s top rhythmic gymnast Read More »

Rosebuds: The meteoric rise of the Montreal Roses

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The Roses sit second in the Northern Super League standings through 15 matches. Graphic Naya Hachwa

Samuel Kayll,
Local Journalism Initiative

The team speaks on the early success of the league and their plan for the future.

Earlier this year, the newly formed Montreal Roses FC travelled to BMO Field for their first match of the inaugural Northern Super League (NSL) season against AFC Toronto. The two teams faced off on April 19 in front of over 14,500 fans, still the record for the highest attendance in NSL history.

But Montreal didn’t just participate—they won, eking out a 1-0 victory over the current league leaders and kicking off the 2025 campaign with a victory. The Roses’ sporting director Marinette Pichon celebrated the moment as a statement of the club’s values and intentions in the newly formed NSL. 

“This was a moment we’ve been waiting for a long time. The players delivered a performance full of intensity, discipline and solidarity,” Pichon said. “It’s a hard-fought victory that perfectly represents the club’s values: commitment and passion.”

As the season progresses, it’s easy to look back and see how that first game and its record-breaking numbers have set the stage for the Montreal Roses in their first year as a professional club.

Whether on or off the field, within the locker room, front office or community, the Roses have fully established themselves as a staple of Montreal’s professional sports scene. And there’s plenty of room to grow.

The first step for the Roses was establishing a culture that resonated with the city and the fans. Nathalie Vachon, the Roses’ VP of strategies and communications, emphasized the importance of a team connected to its supporters and ingrained in everyday life. 

“Fans want more than just games; they want to belong to a movement,” Vachon said. “This is a work in progress, and every step we take now, on the field, in the locker room, and in the community, is an investment in long-term excellence.”

Even the team’s jerseys reflect the goal of community-based connection. Montreal-born artist Niti Marcelle Mueth designed the team’s blue-and-red patterned home kit as an ode to the city and its vibrant identity.

“This forward-thinking design embraces originality and fearlessness, visually expressing the unwavering determination of the Roses,” the club said in a press release. “The intricate print serves as a symbol of a new era in women’s sports, where courage, artistry, and ambition come together to break barriers and set trends.”

And the barriers have kept falling as the season progresses. The NSL has already garnered sponsorship deals with major brands like Coca-Cola, Toyota and Canadian Tire.

But Montreal has taken the barrier-breaking a step further: establishing Stade Boréale, the home of the Roses, in Laval as the first soccer-exclusive stadium and training ground in Canada.

“In professional women’s sports, it’s still all too common for teams to share facilities and rarely be prioritized,” Vachon said. “That’s why it was so important for us to create a dedicated space, one that reflects the identity of the Roses and truly feels like home for our players.”

The club has also emphasized its long-term sustainability by making moves to expand the fan base throughout Montreal. Moves like signing Quebec-born talents such as Stéphanie Hill, Mara Bouchard, Félicia Roy and Lorie Thibault support the team’s initiative to increase local intrigue and provide young players in Montreal with professional role models.

“By welcoming these high-potential local players into our professional league, we are taking a stand so that local talent can evolve at the highest level,” Pichon said. “Each player brings unique skills and fresh energy that will enrich our group. Together, we are going to make history and create beautiful memories on the pitch.”

That includes community initiatives focused on the development of youth soccer programs to increase the buzz around the sport. 

“A key focus will be investing in youth development pipelines, especially for girls, to ensure the next generation has both the visibility and the opportunity to dream big,” Vachon said. “Ultimately, our goal is to make the Roses not only a cornerstone of Montreal’s sports scene, but a cultural institution recognized worldwide.”

And the Roses have become that cornerstone; it shows in the fans that pack Stade Boréale, the enthusiasm from the players at being part of something historic, and an organization unsatisfied with simply arriving.

The Montreal Roses are here to stay, and while the road ahead surely contains some thorns, these Roses can’t wait to bloom. 

Rosebuds: The meteoric rise of the Montreal Roses Read More »

A look behind the curtain of Concordia recruiting

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Concordia places emphasis on its connected, familial environment during its meetings with recruits. Photo Andrae Lerone Lewis

Samuel Kayll,
Local Journalism Initiative

Stingers coaches and administrators discuss the steps in the recruiting process

From the looks of the recruiting form on the Concordia University athletics website, anyone could put their name in the hat to become a Stinger.

On the surface, it seems simple: a multi-question document to gather basic information from a prospective recruit. But that form represents just the tip of the Stingers’ recruiting iceberg. 

Behind it lies a lengthy process of film study, multiple visits to facilities and in-depth discussions about the future—repeated for every recruit the team chooses to pursue. 

Concordia’s recruiting begins at the top. Before and during the season, athletic administrators meet with each program’s coaching staff to determine the best allocation of resources, providing a baseline for identifying each team’s needs. 

D’Arcy Ryan, Concordia’s director of recreation and athletics, explains that the cost of recruiting varies based not only on team needs, but also on each program’s network of support outside the school: scouts, former players-turned-coaches, and external camps and showcases. 

“We’ll have conversations with the coaches to see what the next year’s needs are going to be,” Ryan said. “This way, we know what our baseline level of support will look like.”

While Concordia scans rosters from across the country, they focus primarily on Montreal and its surrounding areas—a talent-rich pool that’s close to home.

“We’re lucky—we do a lot of recruiting in our own backyard,” Ryan said. “It helps keep the cost down because we have a great pool of talent at the CEGEP level, so we don’t have to go too far out.”

Once teams narrow their recruiting lists, they begin a deep dive into each individual player. 

They study game tape, talk to their previous coaches and evaluate their cultural fit. From this process, each team creates its “wish list,” the recruits deemed the most valuable or compatible with the Stingers locker room.

While teams analyze skill and potential, they also look into players’ academic goals and individual personalities. 

Brad Collinson emphasized the importance of creating meaningful relationships with recruits. The Stingers’ head football coach wants players to feel appreciated throughout their recruitment and to solidify the team’s connection to each prospect.

“We set up meetings—a Zoom or phone call to get to know them,” Collinson said. “We try to make it a more personable process than just, ‘Hey, we like you as a football player and we want to get you here.’” 

Along with meetings and tape evaluation, programs pitch themselves through on-campus events. Whether through tours or games, each team aims to give its prospects an accurate depiction of life at Concordia. 

Greg Sutton handles soccer operations for both the men’s and women’s teams at Concordia. He appreciates the connection brought by a face-to-face visit, as it provides a more personal touch to a meeting or interaction. 

“We’ll have a number of players that will come this fall for the following season, to give them a sense of what the game-day atmosphere is like,” Sutton said. “And we have a lot of players that will hang out with some of our current players. We find that having them on campus is a big advantage for us when we’re trying to lock up a recruit.”

But athletics only covers a portion of a recruit’s experience at Concordia. Collinson also uses these meetings to highlight the school’s academic offerings, showcasing programs and opportunities that complement an athlete’s career both on and off the field. 

“We look at the programs that we offer—we’re highly touted in engineering and business,” Collinson said. “And then you have your arts and science programs that no one else offers—I always give the example of the leisure studies program.”

Ryan prioritizes academics alongside the athletic benefits of attending Concordia. He takes recruiting visits as an opportunity to remind student-athletes of the many resources afforded to Stingers players, such as academic advising, access to athletic therapy and leadership workshops. 

“We’re continuously reminding them of these services so they’re able to succeed academically and make it through their program with the support that they feel is necessary,” Ryan said. 

But coaches want recruits to make their own decision to choose Concordia. Sutton prioritizes honesty throughout the process to keep expectations realistic and provide an unbiased and transparent view of the program and life as a Stinger.

“I don’t like to force the hand of the recruit. I think it’s a big step for them and a big decision for them,” Sutton said. “And we don’t want to fill their heads with false promises just to get them to commit to our school because in the end, that doesn’t end well most times.”

Collinson agreed, noting that the team’s honesty and clarity often dissuade decommitments by gaining the respect and trust of recruits. 

“We’re never going to hold a kid here who doesn’t want to be here—I don’t think that’s right,” Collinson said. “But I think if you do your job properly and you create those personal relationships, those are few and far between.”

And through the prioritization of those relationships, Concordia’s recruiting has taken a turn for the better. Sutton noted the influx of new recruits from around the city through the team’s relationship with Quebec-born players.

“One of our biggest challenges is to recruit [Quebec-born] players to come to an English-speaking school. Over the last three or four years, we’ve had a lot of success,” Sutton said. “And when you do that, you attract others because the future recruits see that we’ve got a number of French-speaking players on our team.”

For each recruit, the journey differs. But regardless of the sport, Ryan lets every prospect know how Concordia prepares them for the future. 

“I want them to understand that the three or four years that they’re here are going to be eventful,” Ryan said. “They’re going to be able to compete for a position from day one and graduate with a fantastic degree. Hopefully, they’ve enjoyed their student-athlete experience so that they graduate as a well-rounded contributing member to society.”

A look behind the curtain of Concordia recruiting Read More »

Metamorphosis from recruit to Stinger

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Alexis Leclerc (82) gravitated towards Concordia’s honesty and clarity throughout the recruitment process. Courtesy Concordia Athletics

Samuel Kayll,
Local Journalism Initiative

Concordia’s latest crop of athletes discusses their journeys to Concordia and what drove their commitment

As Concordia University’s fall athletic programs ramp up their training for the upcoming season, the rosters will feature a handful of fresh faces. Eager to prove themselves and contribute to success, this class of athletes aims to solidify not just their spot on a varsity roster but also their confidence in their commitment.

While each Stingers squad pushes to sign the best players, it’s ultimately up to the athletes to decide their next steps. Faced with a flood of options, it can become difficult to zero in on an early commitment.

So, how does Concordia separate itself from the pack?

For athletes like Helena Iranpur, Concordia’s strong community presence warrants enough interest to seriously consider it as a next step. The midfielder from John Abbott College saw many of her fellow students make the move to Concordia, solidifying it as a viable option. 

“I went to John Abbott, and a lot of students went to Concordia,” Iranpur said. “Whenever I’d meet up with them or talk to them, they always had great things to say. That really pushed me to want to go there even more.”

Concordia’s pipeline for athletics starts early for many potential signings. Camps and community events—like the men’s and women’s Rugby Academy, the Rob Williams QB Camp in football, and the Stingers Soccer Academy in the winter and spring—provide young athletes with an opportunity to develop their skills while allowing scouts and coaches to evaluate talent and engage with their targets.

Liam Evans joined Concordia’s summer rugby academy at age 16. Through his training with former Concordia coach John Lavery, the forward gravitated to the program from an early age.

“I live pretty far off-island, but it was the first place I ever drove when I got my license,” Evans said. “I’d say from the beginning of my career, taking rugby seriously, Concordia has always been out there.”

But any school can capture a recruit’s attention; maintaining it requires constant focus.

Evans appreciated Concordia’s effort to build meaningful relationships with its prospects and acknowledged the role it played in his commitment. 

“It’s unlike other teams where you could just sign up or show up and then they place you,” Evans said. “They’ll decide if they want you or not. It’s definitely a nice feeling to have an idea that you’re wanted somewhere.”

Alexis Leclerc greeted Concordia’s welcome with open arms. The wide receiver nearly committed to play at McGill, but gravitated towards Concordia for its community and staff support. Their communication and honesty throughout the recruitment process drove him towards becoming a Stinger.

“I was looking for someone to care about football, but also me and my person,” Leclerc said.  “Coach [Justin] Chapdelaine was always there for me. He would text me and FaceTime me almost every week, just getting news from me. And I felt like he had my back and I could trust him.”

Concordia’s academic programs also play a major role in the lives of its athletes. While the university stands out in areas like engineering and business, it also provides an extensive network of academic support for its student-athletes. 

Evans shared the sentiment through his interest in Concordia’s supply chain program.

“I’m not in [the] supply chain now, but my ultimate goal is to get there,” he said. “That was also a no-brainer since Concordia has a supply chain program.”

Iranpur was drawn to the academic resources Concordia provides, which allow athletes to excel not only on the field, but in the classroom as well.

“I’ve heard great things about the resources within the school academically from students that have graduated and students that are still there,” she said. “I think that the advisors there, the way we can move our classes around, they’re always there to help us.”

Throughout their recruitment, all athletes navigate these decisions in their search for a supportive and constructive environment that allows them to compete at the highest level.

At Concordia, they find just that. 

Leclerc’s interactions with other Stingers—not just football players—showed him the familial side of Concordia. The warm reception reinforced his decision to commit to the university. 

“We’re all really close to each other. Everybody’s really kind,” Leclerc said. “I think Concordia is a big family where we’re all supporting each other. That’s the thing that I didn’t know I was looking for. It really was like, OK, here’s my place.”

Evans found a similar environment on the rugby team, having played with and against a handful of his new teammates during his tenure in CEGEP and at his club. 

“I played with a lot of them in [John] Abbott [College], at St. Anne’s,” Evans said. “I know the other guys as well that didn’t play on those two clubs, and they’re also great men. So I know that I’m stepping into a place that’s very welcoming with a strong connection with a group of guys.”

Metamorphosis from recruit to Stinger Read More »

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