Belgian cheerleaders are world champions: « Anyone who sees us knows: this is top sport »
Admittedly: there were pompons. A few. Black, gold and red, accompanied by the slogan ‘Go Belgium!’, In the opening seconds of the routine of the Belgian ladies team, Saturday at the Cheerleading world championship in Orlando, Florida, America. And then: a barrage of flikflaks, front and back somersaults, screws and synchronous athletes flying through the air.
And whether the jury was impressed. All Girl Team Belgium was allowed to go home with a gold medal after his very first World Cup participation. Or better: with 24 pieces, for each of the cheerleaders on the mat. « How we celebrated? With a pizza party and a visit to Disney World. And with a lot of tears, » says coach Eline Van Haute. « From pride. I have been doing this myself for fifteen years, I have started this national team. And I never dared to dream that we would be on the World Cup stage, let alone in the first place. It is a great reward for years of hard work, with little recognition. »
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Because, says Van Haute, Cheerleading is not yet full. It’s in the elevator. Our country has around 30 clubs, with a total of 1,400 members. A few years ago, Cheerleading was recognized by the IOC as Olympic Sport and also recognized by Sport Vlaanderen last year. « But at the Belgian level we are not yet recognized as a sport. That actually says enough. We also always have to explain to the people what we do. »
The fastest, the most spectacular
With this. “There are elements of gymnastics in it. You can compare it to the exercises that Simone Biles or Nina Derwael perform. The difference is that we are on the mat with 24, that we bring a two -minute routine, with many acrobatic elements. Pyramids, stunts. People who are stabbed in the sky and together with us, how to perform all kinds of exercises. more spectacular, the better. ”
Team Belgium was therefore the fastest, the most spectacular, the best in Orlando. Better than the national teams of traditionally strong countries such as the United States, Australia and Sweden. « Perhaps because we have worked so hard on implementation: on technology and synchronicity, » says Van Haute. « We also caught a lead over Switzerland, especially with our tumbling – the somersaults and the Flikflaks – that silver. »
Coach Eline van Haute (left), with athlete Lisa-Marie Vanheffen and fellow coach Mona Alvim.
Incidentally, the gold medal for the women’s team was not the only Belgian medal at the World Cup. The mixed men’s and women’s team achieved silver in his category. In total, nearly 100 Belgian cheerleaders dropped to Florida. And for clarity: they do not earn their living with cheerleads. Eline van Haute: « On the contrary. My team consists of 28 athletes, including 28 athletes. Girls and women between sixteen and thirty years, all combining their sport with studies or a full -time job. Moreover, they all pay for their journey, their stay here and their registration at the World Cup. »
On to the Olympic Games
« The investment in time and energy is also huge. These are athletes who train daily. Three or four times a week at their own club, plus cardio and strength training. Then every week with the national selection. In recent months they were always full weekends to practice for this championship. Away from family, without a lot of sleep is huge. Now we can say the first place. »
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The International Cheer Union (ICU), the international cheerleading umbrella organization, had made an application to join the next Olympic Games, in 2028 in Los Angeles, where cheerleads are large. It was not allowed to be. Olympic cheerleaders may be able to show theirs for the first time at the 2032 Games in Brisbane, in Australia. The Belgians will be there. « It’s still long, but our arrows are already aimed at 2032, » says Van Haute. « We are busy, we are investing hard in youth. Our juniors have achieved a handsome fifth place here in Orlando. So rest: we will be there. »
