Homegrown talent wins at cheer world champs

BENDIGO’S Maddy Theobold is back from representing Australia at the International Cheer Union World Cheerleading Championships with a gold medal hanging proudly around her neck.

It’s the first World Championship win for an Australian team which will see them move up to the top division next year to take on the world’s powerhouses for the major title.

The ICU set-up consists of two divisions, elite and premier, and to be part of the top division you have to first win an elite title, which the all-girl Aussie team just did.

Theobold said it wasn’t a flawless two days for the team, but they did enough to beat out our neighbours from across the Tasman.

“Our first run wasn’t fantastic,” she said. “We did have a deduction, a five-point deduction for a very minor mistake but a critical one because we lost placement after day one.

“But we knew it was a bad run and we were still sitting in second. So still right up there.

“After the day two run in the finals, we knew it was between us and New Zealand because New Zealand’s run was very clean.

“But we ended up winning which was just an incredible feeling. We finished in front of New Zealand who came second and then Japan in third.”

Theobold said the win shows the state of competitive cheerleading in Australia has never been stronger.

“The all-girl team took the gold, and the co-ed team actually took silver, so some really great results,” she said.

“Even New Zealand coming second in the all-girl division is incredible showing that this side of the world is excelling so much, and cheer is being recognised.”

Now Australia has won an elite title, the premier division and powerhouses the United States, Canada and Norway are waiting, but Theobold didn’t guarantee she would be there to take them on next year.

“I think at this point in time my body needs a good break, to be fair,” she said. “But I did say I’d retire last year, and I’ve gone back again this year.

“It’s been an incredible opportunity to be involved in the journey that has allowed Australia to move into the Premier Division.

“What I’m hoping is now that Australia has won the title and is doing so well is that it paves the way for future athletes and the future of the sport in this country.”