By Stephanie Lebron

2010 International Cheer Union World Championships

Team USA showing off their flag during the opening ceremonies.

With more than 80 international teams in the International Cheer Union (ICU), the second annual ICU World Championships—or what I like to call the “Cheerleading Olympics”—had teams coming from all over the world to compete at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, FL. And just like the Olympics, the ICU Championships had its own opening and closing ceremonies—complete with representatives from each country carrying their nation’s flag.

What makes ICU different from other cheerleading competitions is that there is only one national team per division for each country just like in the Olympics. This year, teams came from countries like Chile, Australia, Canada, Norway, Thailand, France, the United States and many more.

Not only does an event like this give cheerleaders the opportunity to make friends from other countries who share the same love of the sport, but it allows the spectators to see unique routines from every corner of the world—each with its own cultural flavor. Every team was proud and enthusiastic to be supporting its country and took full advantage of being able to learn from one another. Team USA swept both premier divisions, but the international talent gets better each year.

Our favorite thing about this competition though, had to be the sportsmanship that the teams displayed. To have cheerleaders representing so many different countries in one place and supporting, learning from, and cheering for one another and to see the pride every national team’s athletes had for their country is something so beautiful—and sometimes rare—in the cheer world.

If you don’t know who came out on top, check out the results from this year’s ICU Championships here!

2010 USASF Cheerleading Worlds

One of the most important events in all-star cheer is the U.S. All Star Federation (USASF) Cheerleading Worlds—where all-star teams compete to be named the best in their division. There were even some international all-star teams in the house (the Milkhouse that is)! This competition was all about routine difficulty, energy, new and creative stunts and advanced tumbling. To place high at Worlds, you need to perform a flawless routine and have a high level of difficulty in the stunts you execute. This competition truly is where the best of the best all-stars from all over the world come to compete.

Top Gun All Stars taking the gold in the Senior Unlimited Co-ed Level 5 division.

The routines performed were absolutely amazing. There were a never-ending supply of oohs and ahhs from the crowd. After watching the teams on the mat, you can see how extremely talented and hard-working these cheerleaders are. The amount of athleticism, technique and energy that were shown in the routines were incredible.

Now, even though each team brought something different to the blue mat, there were a lot of new trends that seemed to come alive at Worlds. It seemed that a Lady Gaga’s music showed up in just about every routine. Instead of sporting a traditional skirt and curl ponytail, a lot of teams rocked shorts, French-braids and other fun’ dos. And when it came to stunting, the mat was full of hands-free Heel Stretches and toe touch Baskets.

The biggest buzz about moments:

Top Gun reclaiming the Large Senior Unlimited Coed title, and Cheer Extreme Large Senior All-Girl Level 5 unseating the back-to-back-to-back world champs, World Cup Shooting Stars.

Here’s a list of everyone who won big this year at Worlds!

**For more pictures from the ICU/Worlds competition, check out  AC‘s Facebook Fan Page and tag yourself in the photos!**

Be Sociable, Share!

•