Coaches

Janika Mölder is our head coach and the founder of the Glimmer club. Janika has been involved in gymnastics for many years, initially as a gymnast and later as a seasoned sports professional. She is a former European and World Champion in Rhythmic Gymnastics. Janika is the founder and chief organizer of the renowned Miss Valentine International Gymnastics Competition in Estonia and of the annual Slonny Cup competition in Toronto. She is a dedicated sports professional with over 25 years of experience in international sports event management, including World Cup events. Janika is a highly qualified expert in Rhythmic Gymnastics and is a Level 7 international coach, qualified to prepare gymnasts for all international competitions including Olympic Games. She is a Level 3 FIG licensed international judge, qualified to judge all international competitions up to World Championships. JANIKA'S SPORTS CAREER: • 2003 World Championships bronze medalist in Aesthetic Group Gymnastics (AGG), Graz, Austria. • 1989 World Championships gold and silver medalist in Rhythmic Gymnastics group, Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. • 1988 European Championship gold and silver medalist in Rhythmic Gymnastics group, Helsinki, Finland. • 1987 World Championships silver and bronze medalist in Rhythmic Gymnastics group, Varna, Bulgaria. • 1986 European Championship silver medalist in Rhythmic Gymnastics group, Firenze, Italy. • 1982-1992 Multiple Estonian Championship medals in Rhythmic Gymnastics.

Carmel Kallemaa is our program coordinator and one of our coaches. Carmel has been a gymnast for 21 years. She is Estonian champion and multiple international tournament medalist. After moving to Toronto with her family Carmel continues to pursue high performance gymnastics, being a Canadian National Senior Group. She was only 2 years old when she started gymnastics and she is still in love with the beautiful sport. Carmel has staged four theatrical rhythmic gymnastics shows. Competitions that Carmel has competed in include: • 2019 Pan American Games, World Championships and World Cup events • 2018 World Challenge Cup and Canadian Championships • 2017 Taipei Summer Universiade • 2016 Rio Olympic Games Test Event • 2016 World Cup Final • 2015 World Championships • 2014 World Championships • 2013 World Games • 2012 European Championships. As Carmel likes to say, “Never lose faith, never say you can't, because you can, just believe, everything is possible”.

Maria Smirnova recently joined our team to coach our precious little future stars • She has a background in Dance and Early Childhood Education, which helps her productively work with kids • Maria is a Gymnastics Ontario member and constantly looks for ways to improve and educate herself on the beautiful sport of rhythmic gymnastics• She continues to expand her expertise and is rewarded with more Coaching Certificates• Maria also has experience in helping organize competitions and in bringing young athletes to the next level of their sport• She has helped several beginner gymnasts reach their goals and attain great achievements• But, Maria is not only a coach! Maria has recently written and published a kids’ book about gymnastics, titled Bouncy Ball.

•Liza started gymnastics at the age of 3• She joined Glimmer team in 2020• Canadian Champion in group category in the years of 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023• travelled around Canada and other countries from 2016 to 2023 • Liza enjoys working with group category and individual gymnasts to teach basic skills, coordination and tips and tricks • She is committed to deliver enjoyable trainings to motivate future stars and spread a positive supportive environment • Outside of gymnastics currently at the University of Toronto in the social sciences department studying political science and criminology