Taiwan wins gold in world cheerleading

Competing under the designation Chinese Taipei, the Taiwanese squad captured the coveted gold medal in the mixed five-person cheerleading skills contest with a choreographed performance that was said to be vibrant and full of charm.

However, in the 16-person mixed group competition, the Taiwanese team suffered a setback when one member sustained an injury during the routine in the preliminary round of the contest. Nonetheless, the team managed to take bronze in that category.

Although the Chinese Taipei team scored higher than Thailand Sunday in the final round with impressive stunts during its pyramid formation, it could not make up for its loss the previous day and finished with a bronze medal, behind Japan and Thailand.

Wang Yun-shu, captain of the mixed team, said cheerleading has become an increasingly popular sport in Taiwan and the world championship is the top competition.

According to Wang, the 16-person group competition is the most challenging as all members of the team have to complete a routine of dance, tosses, rolls, and leaps in two-and-a-half minutes.

Taiwan placed second in the last world championships in Finland two years ago.

"We had hoped to finish first overall this year... but we will not be daunted. I am confident we will perform better in the next world competition to be held in Hong Kong in 2011," Wang said.

A total of 600 athletes from 17 countries took part in this year's world championships.

Because of fund-raising difficulties, Wang said, many Taiwanese athletes have had to pay their own way to compete in the championships. "Our passion for the cheerleading sport has led us to overcome the physical challenges and financial hardships," she added.

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