The Philippines achieved a milestone by winning two bronze medals in the 7th Cheerleading World Championships on Nov. 26 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
It was, by far, the country’s best finish since competing in the international stage in 2007.
The team—composed of pep squads from the University of the Philippines, Centro Escolar University, St. Pedro Poveda College and the Zamboanga City Red Barons—duplicated its bronze-medal finish in 2011.
It garnered an aggregate score of 408.5 points in the Team Cheer event behind defending world champion Japan, which scored 517 points, and host Thailand, which also duplicated its silver-medal finish with 496 points.
The Philippines was represented by Team B whose members included Audrey Muñoz, Donina Ramirez, Aaron Casurao, Leandro De Chavez, Nil Costales and Kim Parra.
Surprise
The squad surprised highly-favored teams from Russia, Slovenia and former world champion Chinese Taipei.
But Russia took home the gold in the Mixed Group Stunts event while Thailand’s Team A bagged the silver.
The Philippine All-Female teams, which were in contention for a bronze medal before the start of the finals, failed to gain momentum and landed sixth (All-Female team, 268.5 points) and fourth place (All-Female Group Stunts, 124.5 points). Japan dominated both events, followed by Germany and Russia.
The Philippine Cheerdance team was behind Poland and Japan on the first day, but couldn’t gain ground as it finished fifth with a total score of 343 points. Russia again flexed its muscle in this event, followed by Germany and Poland.
Inspiration
Nonetheless, the national teams’ respectable performances would provide inspiration for the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines which is celebrating its 50th year anniversary, and the Philippine Sports Commission which is embarking on mass-based programs through the Batang Pinoy Games.
The Philippine Cheerleading teams arrive today and will start assisting in relief and rehabilitation efforts for Supertyphoon “Yolanda” survivors in the Visayas.
