More than a glimmer of hope with Barrie’s gymnasts

Carmel Kallemaa shows off her gymnastic prowess at the Miss Valentine Tartu Grand Prix in Estonia in early March 2025.

Three Barrie gymnastic hopefuls put Canada on the map with their incredible performances half-way around the world.

Competing in the Miss Valentine Tartu Grand Prix in March against more than 1,500 gymnasts from 55 countries, Carmel Kellemaa brought home a bronze medal in the Grand Prix event and helped by adding two gold and one silver medals in the group category.

Kallemaa will now compete in Marbella, Spain and Thiais, France where she’ll represent Team Canada against the world’s top athletes.

Not only did Kallemaa wow the audience, but two young Barrie gymnasts; Stefania Nafanailov and Sofia Druc, grabbed a glimmer of the spotlight as well.

Nafanailov won the Mini Miss Valentine title and Druc came in fourth in her category.

Head coach Janika Mölder of the Glimmer Athletic Club of Barrie was proud of the team’s accomplishments:

“I see big growth in the girls over the summer and fall trainings. They have improved a lot and shown that they are capable of taking the world stage. I’m certain that our hardworking Barrie coaches in Glimmer Athletic Club are on the right track, and we will see lots of good results in the future,” said Mölder.