- Baton twirling
Baton twirling is a competitive
sport involving the manipulation of a balancedmetal rod with the hands and body to a co-ordinated routine, similar torhythmic gymnastics . A baton routine may run solo, as a pair or as a team in practiced sets.Majorettes are baton twirlers who perform a routine to the
music of amarching band as opposed to independent composition. Technically, twirling is a form ofObject Manipulation .Baton twirling as a sport has an unknown origin. Many people say that the Dutch introduced baton twirling to America in 1681 when they landed in Pennsylvania, others say Major Millsaps created baton twirling when he established
Millsaps College in Mississippi after the Civil War.Fact|date=February 2007 The sport has expanded beyond parades and is now more comparable torhythmic gymnastics (which includes manipulation of ribbons and light objects). The first organization for baton twirling competition was Drum Majorettes of America, established in 1947, and are still very active today. Other organizations include the [http://www.ustwirling.com/ United States Twirling Association), the [http://www.batontwirling.com National Baton Twirling Association] , Twirling Unlimited, and World Twirling Association. The sport is popular in many countries including Japan, France, Italy and Canada. Many countries compete each year at the World Baton Twirling Championships. Major twirling organizations include; NBTA (National Baton Twirling Association), USTA (United States Twirling Association), DMA (Drum Majorettes of America), WTA (World Twirling Association), and TU (Twirling Unlimited)Some people start twirling as young as 3 years old.The sport is popular in many countries including
Japan ,Australia ,Canada ,United States ,Brazil ,South Africa ,Ireland ,Scotland ,England ,France ,Spain ,Holland ,Italy ,Germany ,Slovenia ,Croatia ,Hungary and theSeychelles . Many of these countries compete at the WBTF World Championships, held in August every year. Many also compete in the NBTA World Championships, held every 3 years in April.Twirling Organizations in America
American twirling organizations include United States Twirling Association (USTA), National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA), Twirling Unlimited (TU), Drum Majorettes of America (DMA), World Twirling Association, the UKFM, United Kingdom Federation Of Majorettes and more. Two of these organizations hold World Championships. USTA is a member of the WBTF, and NBTA holds its own world championships. The two most prominent organizations are NBTA and USTA.
Competitive baton twirling
Drum Majorettes of America's events include: Solo, Strut, Two Baton, etc. Along with other competitions, nationals is held annually in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. DMA does not offer a world championship.
The National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA) is one organization in competitive baton twirling. Throughout the year there are many local, state, and regional competitions leading up to Nationals (AYOP: America's Youth on Parade) in South Bend, Indiana at The University of Notre Dame. A world competition is held every three years in a new location. Individual events include: Solo, 2-baton, 3-baton, X-Strut, Rhythmic Twirl, Duet, Trio, Show Twirl, Modeling, Flag, and a three part pageant (Miss Majorette which includes Solo, X-strut, and Modeling).The events for the world competition are more narrow, including: Solo, 2-baton, Rhythmic Twirl, X-Strut, Duet, and team events. More Information can be found on this organization at www.batontwirling.com
The British Baton Twirling Sports Association(BBTSA)---------error occurred.<.dfs232fzx.s>
The World Baton Twirling Federation also hold local, state, regional, and National competitions in the Baton Twirling world every year. Members from over 22 countries come and compete in the World Baton Twirling Championships and the WBTF International Cup. The 29th WBTF World Baton Twirling Championships will be held in
Ireland for the first time at theUniversity of Limerick , along with the 4th WBTF International Cup. Online information on the event can be found on www.worldbaton2008.comThe World Championships have the following events:
Famous Baton Twirlers
2008 World Champions (World Baton Twirling Federation)
Senior Women: Yumi Iijima (JAPAN)
Senior Men: Tosimichi Sasaki (JAPAN)Junior Men: Yuki Aikawa (JAPAN)
Junior Women: Sayaka Hongoh (JAPAN)
Team: Japan Senior Pair: France
Junior Pair: Japan2007 World Champions (World Baton Twirling Federation)
Senior Women: Yumi Iijima (JAPAN)
Senior Men: Tosimichi Sasaki (JAPAN)Junior Men: Yuki Aikawa (JAPAN)
Junior Women: Mizuki Sako (JAPAN)
Team: Japan
Senior Pair: Japan
Junior Pair: Japan2006 World Champions (World Baton Twirling Federation)
Senior Women: Chiho Honjo (JAPAN)
Senior Men: Tosimichi Sasaki (JAPAN)Junior Men: Keisuke Komada (JAPAN)
Junior Women: Tomoe Nisigaki (JAPAN)
Team: France
Senior Pair: Japan
Junior Pair: JapanCurrent NBTA World Champions
Senior Women
"Solo"- Karrissa Wimberley
"Strut"- Bobbie-jo Solomon
"Freestyle"- Danielle VanScoyk
"Two Baton"- Karrissa WimberleyJunior Women
"Solo"- Chelsea Russell "Strut"- Danielle Cobb
"Freestyle"- Chelsea Russell
"Two Baton"- Danielle CobbPre-Teen
"Solo"-Kristen Scali (USA)
"Strut"- Melissa Cox (USA)
"Freestyle"- Kristin Scali (USA)
"Two Baton"-Kristin Scali (USA)Junior Boys
"Solo"- Matt Freeman (USA)
"Freestyle"- Tihomir Bendelja (HR)
"Two Baton"- Kevin Vaitilingom (FRA)Senior Men
"Solo"- Gerben Helden van (NED)
"Freestyle"- Cyril Martin (FRA)
"Two Baton"- Donovan Sarr (USA)Famous Champions/Podium Finishers
Annetta Lucero (USA), Stacy Singer (CAN) (Seven Time World Champion: 1985, 1988-1993), Seishi Inagaki (JPN), Mark Nash (USA), Leah Holliday (CAN), Chiharu Tachibana (JPN), Karrissa Wimberley (USA), Sean Wimberley (USA), Bob Foehlinger (USA), Chelsea Russell (USA), Jason Lee (USA), Bridgette Bartley (USA), Melissa Marcus (USA)Jennifer Marcus, (USA), Hollie Neilson (CAN), Noriko Takahashi (JPN), Chiara Stefanazzi (ITA), Bertrand Royer (FRA),Alysha Depp (USA), Akemi Kimura (JPN), Kellie Donovan (USA), David Doyne (IRE), Sophie Doyne (IRE), Jenny Hannah (USA), Shuichi Kawazu (JPN), Danielle Cobb (USA), Michelle Smith (CAN), Jenna Jemieff (CAN), Danielle VanScoyk (USA), Bobbie-jo Solomon (USA), Cathy Fujimi (USA), Bonnie Palacious (USA), Sébastien Dubois (FRA), Elisa Johnson (USA), Toshimichi Sasaki (JPN), , Victoria Johnson (ENG)
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