Nova Scotia cheers for 'incredible' gymnast Ellie Black

Gymnast EllieBlack's hometownwas cheering her on as she made Canadian history.

Black, 20,placed fifth in individual all-around women'sartistic gymnasticsat the Rio Olympics Thursday afternoon. That was the best-ever finishfor 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."

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'It's incredible,' says Black

Black finished with an overall score of 58.298. That beat the Canadian record set by Bonnie Wittmeier, who finished13th 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 fifthin the worldI can't even put it into words. It's incredible."

History of firsts

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

There, she secured a Canadian first since 1979, winninggold 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.

'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-lovedmember 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 clubmembers gathered during her performance at theHalifax 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: