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Nova Scotia cheers for 'incredible' gymnast Ellie Black

Gymnast Ellie Black's Halifax club was cheering her on as she made Canadian history.

'She's worked so hard this whole journey,' says Halifax Alta Gymnastics coach

Rachel Ward · CBC News ·
Halifax-native Ellie Black placed fifth in all-around individual artistic gymnastics at the Rio Olympics Thursday. (Elsa/Getty Images)

Gymnast Ellie Black's hometown was cheering her on as she made Canadian history.

Black, 20, placed fifth in individual all-around women's artistic gymnastics at the Rio Olympics Thursday afternoon. That was the best-ever finish for Canada.

Her fellow club members at Halifax Alta Gymnastics, with whom she's trained since childhood, had hoped she would place in the top-8, men's coach Vaughn Arthur said. 

"After seeing the fifth place result, we're so happy for her," Arthur said. 

"We just want to party, just celebrate her accomplishments. She's worked so hard this whole journey."

'It's incredible,' says Black

Black finished with an overall score of 58.298. That beat the Canadian record set by Bonnie Wittmeier, who finished 13th at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics.

"I couldn't have asked for a better way to finish off my Olympics," Black told CBC News after her historic finish.

"I went out there for myself, but also for my team, another shot to go out there and show what Canada can do.

"To be fifth in the world … I can't even put it into words. It's incredible."

Halifax gymnast Ellie Black competed at a national event in her hometown in February. (CBC)

History of firsts

Black also competed at the last Olympics, and with five medals, she was the most decorated Canadian at last year's Pan Am Games.

There, she secured a Canadian first since 1979, winning gold in individual all-around. Also in 2015, she won a best-ever result for Canada, finishing seventh at the world championships in the all-around. 

Canada's Ellie Black wears the five medals she won at the women's artistic gymnastics competitions during the Pan Am Games in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

'Really amazing to see'

Arthur coaches Black's 18-year-old brother at the Halifax club, so has known her family for a long time.

"It was really nice to see her finish the Rio Olympics on a great note: best result ever, best all around score ever, no falls," he said.

"She's happy. she's smiling. It was really amazing to see that."

'Very strong athlete mentally'

Her determination and hard work have made her "an incredible athlete," he said, and her personality made her a well-loved member of the club family. 

"She's just a very strong athlete mentally," Arthur said.

"She's always taking more turns, always doing more exercises, and she's just really committed."

Hometown support

Around 15 club members gathered during her performance at the Halifax club. 

Dozens of fans watched from the Halifax Central Library, and more cheered for her online.

'Kudos to her'

As for whether she has her eye on the games four years from now, Arthur said it's too early to tell. 

"Ellie, she can do whatever she puts her mind to. If she decides to continue, I know she will do a great job," he said.

"Kudos to her."

Congratulations pour in:

Fans sent a little Nova Scotia love, too:

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