Kyle Shewfelt went to his first Olympics as an underdog.

Frankly, he's happier heading to Athens as a serious threat for Canada's first medal in gymnastics.

"I'm a perfectionist and I'm not going to be satisfied if I don't do what I know I'm capable of," said the 22-year-old Calgary native, who is leading the six-member Canadian men's team.

Since placing 12th on the floor at the 2000 Games in Sydney, Shewfelt has grown into one of Canada's top Olympic hopefuls. He won two golds and a silver at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, and added a pair of bronze medals at the 2003 world championships in floor exercise and vault.

Shewfelt knows the stakes have been raised with his mark on the world scene.

"This time around, I think a lot of people are expecting great things from me," he said with a grin.

"Even the judges. I think the judges are willing to give me the big score if I go and do my job and hit my routine."

Shewfelt goes to Athens as a favourite in floor exercises, but his mastery in the vault was recently recognized by the International Gymnastics Federation when a move was named for him. In April, the men's technical committee recommended that his trademark of two-and-a-half twists with a backwards landing be known as the Shewfelt.

After an ankle injury at a World Cup competition in March slowed his training, Shewfelt is confident he'll peak at the Olympics.

Hardy Fink, head judge for floor exercises at the Athens Games, says most Canadians don't realize the calibre and artistry of Shewfelt's tumbling routine.

"He's the best that's ever been," said Fink, who has been an international judge since 1969.

"There is a virtuosity to his performance that even a layman can appreciate," he added. "You can't really put words to it but when you see it, you know that fellow's awesome."

Winning a medal won't be easy. Shewfelt will be up against Romania's Marian Dragulescu, Jordan Jovtchev of Bulgaria and the current world champion, American Paul Hamm.

Shewfelt shrugs off any doubts.

"I've always been the type of person who rises to the occasion, to deliver when it counts," said the five-foot-four Shewfelt. "That's a good thing in gymnastics because you've got one shot."

Coach Kelly Manjak has guided Shewfelt's progress from a six-year-old tumbling tyke to an Olympic contender. What has impressed him through 16 years is Shewfelt's focus and dedication.

"From age nine, he said his goal was to win a gold medal for Canada in gymnastics at the Olympics," said Manjak. "For a young boy to set such a high goal and actually follow through is the most unique thing I've ever encountered."

Shewfelt's first international meet was in Hungary in 1996 and he's been on the national team since 1999.

"As the meets started to count more, I was always set back by how well he could deliver under pressure," said Manjak. "That's something I could never take any credit for."

Over the years, Manjak's role shifted from teacher to mentor to friend. In June, Shewfelt was best man at his coach's wedding.

"At the beginning it was my responsibility to make sure he had good basics and everything he needed to achieve his goal as a gymnast," said Manjak. "Now I'm only five per cent, he's 95 per cent. The spectrum has completely changed on us."

With that image, it's perhaps fitting that the Olympics will be the last competition for the pair. Manjak will leave Calgary's Altadore Club in the fall to join the Mississauga Gymnastics Club, and his wife is expecting their first child.

A major difference at these Games is that Shewfelt will be joined by a full men's team. Canada qualified after finishing ninth at the world championships last year.

"Sydney was great, but I was an individual there," said Shewfelt, noting that Alexander Jeltkov of Montreal, who also qualified as an individual, left early.

"Pretty much I was on my own for three weeks. But this time, having teammates there for the support and being able to travel from event to event with them for me is great."

Grant Golding and Adam Wong of Calgary, David Kikuchi of Fall River, N.S., and Ken Ikeda of Abbotsford, B.C., are also on the team.