Daniela Todorova
Founder and Head Coach of Olympia RG
Daniela Todorova is originally from Bulgaria. She is a two-time European Champion, World Champion with the Bulgarian Group, and International Master of Sports.
She has more than 30 years of coaching experience across Europe and Canada. Daniela is certified NCCP Level 3 coach and serves as a National Team Coach for Canada. Additionally, Daniela holds the title of International Brevet Judge. She is also a member of the Gymnastics Canada Program Committee and the Coaches Development Chair for the BC Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation.
Mimi Pan
Coach & Sport Psychologist
Mimi has been coaching with Olympia for 10 of the clubβs 15 seasons, working with generations of athletes.
She is an NCCP Level 3 certified coach, national-level judge, and NCCP learning facilitator who mentors young coaches in developing their skills.
With a Masterβs degree in Sport and Performance Psychology, Mimi helps athletes build resilience and mental toughness through a positive and supportive approach.
Yoanna Velinova
Coach
Yoanna is a former Bulgarian National Team athlete who competed in rhythmic gymnastics for 12 years, representing Bulgaria at international events. Since joining Olympia Rhythmic Gymnastics in 2019, she has coached athletes at the recreational, provincial, and western levels. With a strong technical background and international experience, Yoanna brings discipline and expertise to her coaching. She holds a Bachelorβs degree in Accounting and is completing her NCCP Levels 1 and 2 in rhythmic gymnastics.
Cassandra Valinho
Coach
Cassandra is a former Canadian National Team member who placed in the top 10 nationally in both junior and senior categories.
She trained for over 11 years and competed internationally, earning 1st place at the Vitry Cup in Barcelona, Spain, and representing Canada at the Kalamata Cup in Greece.
Cassandra has been coaching since 2016 and continues to share her experience and passion for rhythmic gymnastics with her athletes.
Lilia Zilberman
Coach
Lilia is originally from Moldova, where she graduated in 1992 with a major in Economics and sport coaching diplomas from ChiΘinΔu.
She has many years of experience teaching children acrobatics and gymnastics, with a special focus on building strength and healthy flexibility.
Lilia has been coaching in Vancouver since 2006 and enjoys helping kids grow confident and strong through movement.
Jinayah Nelson
Coach
Jinayah began training in rhythmic gymnastics at the age of three and has since competed both individually and in groups at the provincial, western, and national levels.
She served as the head coach and choreographer for a team representing Canada at the World Gymnaestrada in Amsterdam.
In addition, Jinayah is a versatile dancer with experience in a variety of styles, including jazz, hip hop, ballet, contemporary, and lyrical, and currently teaches dance and gymnastics throughout Vancouver and Victoria.
Joy Xiao
Coach
Joy was a Western-level individual gymnast and a member of Olympiaβs National-level Junior Group.
She competed for nine years and attended major competitions such as Westerns, Elite Canada, and Nationals.
Joy is NCCP Level 1 trained and has been coaching recreational, provincial, and western-level gymnasts at Olympia RG since 2022.
She is also currently a student at the University of British Columbia.
Tsubaki Sakata
Coach
Tsubaki has over 13 years of experience in rhythmic gymnastics and has been coaching at Olympia RG for the past three years.
She is a three-time Western Regional Champion, the 2025 BC Senior Champion, and recipient of the 2025 Monika Alde Award.
In 2022, Tsubaki was a member of the Junior Canadian High-Performance Team and represented Canada as captain of the Junior Group at the Pan American Championships.
Her passion lies in helping young athletes grow, improve, and find joy in their gymnastics journey.
Emma Peneva
Coach
Emma is a former Olympia gymnast who competed for seven years, earning medals at Elite Canada and the 2018 Kamloops Winter Games. She has three years of coaching experience with Olympia, working with recreational, pre-competitive, and provincial athletes. Passionate about inspiring young gymnasts, Emma is Red Cross first-aid certified and completing her NCCP Level 1.
Krista Ng
Coach
Krista was a rhythmic gymnast with Olympia RG for seven years. At the provincial level, she became the 2022 B.C. Provincial Champion and later joined the Western team, earning the title of 2024 Western Canadian Champion.
She has been coaching since grade 11, working with recreational, pre-competitive, and provincial gymnasts. Krista holds a first-aid certification and is currently completing her NCCP Level 1. Outside the gym, she enjoys baking, reading, and all things arts and crafts.
Jenna Chan
Coach
Jenna is a former national-level rhythmic gymnast with 10 years of competitive experience and was the 2016 Junior AA Silver Medallist at the Canadian National Championships.
She has been coaching since 2021 and is NCCP Level 1 certified, Level 3 trained, and a provincial-level judge.
Currently studying Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University, Jenna combines her academic knowledge and athletic experience to help gymnasts grow and thrive in the sport.
Alua Bilyalova
Coach
Alua is originally from Kazakhstan and spent over 10 years training in rhythmic gymnastics.
She holds the title of Candidate for Master of Sports in both rhythmic and aesthetic gymnastics.
Currently, Alua is completing her final year of a BBA degree with a Psychology minor at SFU and is certified as an NCCP Coach-in-Training.
Ayana Chang
Coach
Ayana has been coaching since 2022 and is currently an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia, studying Pharmacology.
She has been involved in rhythmic gymnastics since the age of eight, training and competing until graduating high school.
Ayana credits her coaches for shaping her success and strives to provide the same guidance and encouragement to her young athletes.
Daniela Pacheco Gilardi
Coach
Daniela is a former national rhythmic gymnast from Mexico with over 10 years of competitive experience.
Her background includes aerial silks performance, coaching rhythmic gymnastics for young athletes, and teaching flexibility to adults internationally.
In 2019, she founded an online flexibility-training program for adults.
Daniela holds B.Sc. degrees in Neuroscience and Chemistry, and an M.Sc. in Biochemistry from McGill University.
She now works in biotechnology and coaches with precision, artistry, and scientific depth.
Veronica Ilieva
Assistant Coach
Veronica has been involved in rhythmic gymnastics for 13 years and has been part of Olympiaβs National Team for the past eight. She represented Canada internationally, including at the 2022 Pan American Championships in Brazil as a member of the Junior Group. Most recently, she placed 2nd at Westerns and finished in the Top 15 at Nationals in the Senior Open division.
For the past two years, Veronica has coached pre-competitive and competitive gymnasts helping young athletes gain confidence and love the sport as she does.
Gwyn Moe
Ballet Teacher
Gwyn is a registered physiotherapist who has been teaching ballet for the past ten years.
She has an extensive background in classical ballet and previously danced professionally with Ballet British Columbia after graduating from Γcole SupΓ©rieure de Danse in Montreal.
