Baton twirling
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A baton is a light metal rod that is used for keeping time, twirling, and juggling in marching band and parade performances, usually by drum majors or majorettes (Drum majors typically use either the larger mace or the smaller military baton.)
Baton twirling is a competitive sport involving the manipulation of a balanced metal rod with the hands and body to a co-ordinated routine, similar to rhythmic gymnastics. A baton routine may run solo or as a team in practiced sets. Baton twirling is said to be the most complex and difficult sport on Earth.
Majorettes are baton twirlers who perform a routine to the music of a marching band as opposed to independent composition. Technically, twirling is a form of Object 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.[citation needed] The sport has expanded beyond parades and is now more comparable to rhythmic gymnastics (which includes manipulation of ribbons and light objects). In the USA, the top two twirling organizations are the United States Twirling Association and the National Baton Twirling Association Other organizations include Drum Majorettes of America, 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 the Seychelles. 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.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] Competitive baton twirling
Drum Majorettes of America is a smaller organization, but very similar to the other organizations. It offers the same events (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 is one organization in competitive baton twirling. Throughout the year there are many local, state, and regionals competitions leading up to Nationals (AYOP: America's Youth on Parade) in South Bend, Indiana at The University of Notre Dame every year and a worlds competition every three years in new locations each time. Events include: For Individuals at nationals- Solo, 2-baton, 3-baton, X-Strut, Rhythmic Twirl, Show Twirl, Modeling, and a three part pageant, Miss Majorette including solo, X-strut, and modeling. For Worlds: Solo, Two Baton, Rhythmic Twirl (freestyle), Strut, Duet, and Team. More Information can be found on this organization at www.batontwirling.com
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 in the university of Limerick, along with the 4th WBTF International Cup. On line information on the even can be found on www.worldbaton2008.com
The World Championships have the following events:
| Freestyle | Senior Women & Men, Junior Women and Men | A solo event accompanied by a compulsory/short programme event |
| Pair | Senior & Junior | Made up of men and/or women |
| Team | 6+ members | Men and women can compete together |
The International Cup Championships have the following events:
| Event | Description | Levels | Age Divisions |
| Solo 1 | one baton solo routine to set music | A and B | Junior, Senior and Adult |
| Solo 2 | second baton solo routine to set music | A and B | Junior, Senior and Adult |
| Solo 3 | third baton solo routine to set music | A and B | Junior, Senior and Adult |
| Team | 6-8 Members | A and B | |
| Group | 9+ Members | A and B |
Since 2005, the two competitions have been run concurrently over a week. In 2009, the competitions will begin running separately, with the International Cup falling on uneven years and the World Championships on even years. New events such as Freestyle and Pairs across different age levels and divisions will then be added to the International Cup, in a manner similar to the current Solo events.
The following cities have previously hosted the competitions:
| 1980 | Seattle | USA |  |
1st World Championships |
| 1981 | Nice | France |  |
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| 1982 | Tokyo | Japan |  |
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| 1983 | Milan | Italy |  |
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| 1984 | Calgary | Canada |  |
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| 1985 | Frankfurt | Germany |  |
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| 1986 | Turin | Italy | |
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| 1987 | Paris | France | |
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| 1988 | Nagoya | Japan | |
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| 1989 | Lausanne | Switzerland |  |
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| 1990 | Texas | USA | |
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| 1991 | Padova | Italy | |
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| 1992 | Paris | France | |
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| 1993 | Den Bosch | Netherlands |  |
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| 1994 | Toronto | Canada | |
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| 1995 | Geneva | Switzerland | |
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| 1996 | Genova | Italy | |
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| 1997 | Hawaii | USA | |
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| 1998 | Lyon | France | |
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| 1999 | Daytona Beach | USA | |
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| 2000 | Den Bosch | Netherlands | |
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| 2001 | Villebon sur Yvette | France | |
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| 2002 | Saskatoon | Canada | |
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| 2003 | Badalona, Barcelona | Spain |  |
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| 2004 | Osaka | Japan | |
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| 2005 | Minnesota/St. Paul | USA | |
1st International Cup begins running concurrently |
| 2006 | Rome | Italy | |
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| 2007 | Hamilton, Ontario | Canada | |
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| 2008 | Limerick | Ireland |  |
last year both competitions will run concurrently |
| 2009 | Sydney | Australia |  |
1st lone standing International Cup |
[edit] Famous Baton Twirlers
[edit] 2007 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: Japan
[edit] 2006 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: Japan
[edit] Current NBTA World Champions
[edit] Senior Women
Solo- Karrissa Wimberley
Strut- Bobbie-jo Solomon
Freestyle- Danielle VanScoyk
Two Baton- Karrissa Wimberley
[edit] Junior Women
Solo- Danielle Cobb
Strut- Danielle Cobb
Freestyle- Danielle Cobb
Two Baton- Chelsea Russell
[edit] Pre-Teen
Solo-Kristen Scali (USA)
Strut- Melissa Cox (USA)
Freestyle- Kristen Scali (USA)
Two Baton-Kristin Scail (USA)
[edit] Juvenille
Solo- Savannah Miller(USA)
Strut-Alexa Wisener (USA)
Freestyle- Rebecca Lantz (USA)
Two Baton- Savannah Miller (USA)
[edit] Junior Boys
Solo- Matt Freeman (USA)
Freestyle- Tihomir Bendelja (HR)
Two Baton- Kevin Vaitilingom (FRA)
[edit] Senior Men
Solo- Gerben Helden van (NED)
Freestyle- Cyril Martin (FRA)
Two Baton- Donovan Sarr (USA)
[edit] 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), Brandy Martin (USA), Jason Lee (USA), Erick Barguet (FRA), Bridgette Bartley (USA), Melissa Marcus (USA)Jennifer Marcus, (USA), Hollie Neilson (CAN), Echosaisis Clark (USA), Noriko Takahashi (JPN), Chiara Stefanazzi (ITA),Marci Papadopoulos (USA), Bertrand Royer (FRA),Alysha Depp (USA), Akemi Kimura (JPN), Kellie Donovan (USA), 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), Savannah Miller (USA), Sébastien Dubois (FRA), Kellie Trouten (USA) Elisa Johnson (USA), Kirsten Brown (USA)
