Cheerleaders win gold at world championships
A TEAM of Welsh cheerleaders have struck gold at a world championship event in Florida.
The Team Wales ParaCheer squad are celebrating after winning the medal at the ParaCheer Unified Freestyle Pom category at the ICU World Championships, and held a showcase event on their return to Pontypridd to mark their success.
The team consists of an integrated team of disabled and non-disabled dancers working together, with the majority of members coming from Pontypridd, Church Village, Tonteg and the Rhondda.
And winning the medal was particularly remarkable as the performance was the team’s debut at the World Championships.
Coach Sabrina Mountjoy, from Church Village, said: “To hear the national anthem being played for the first time ever at the World Championships was an extremely emotional experience, but for this young team to achieve gold at their first attempt was a truly magnificent moment.
“I’m so proud of every one of the girls and what they have achieved together.”
Sisters Isabelle and Eliza Price, also from Church Village, said: “Coming from a gymnastics background this was our first time competing in ParaCheer Pom dance.
“It was an experience of a lifetime – one that we got to share together as sisters and as a family.
“We are so excited for what the future holds and we are all eager to defend our title next year.”
Pontypridd AM Mick Antoniw said: “Team Wales ParaCheer are a fantastic group of people and it was a pleasure to see them perform and give them my support.
“They are a real credit to their community and to Wales. I’m thrilled that they’ve won gold.”
Sabrina added: “I’m delighted that Mick was able to be our special guest at our celebratory showcase event.
“We’re always looking to get more disabled and non-disabled dancers involved in ParaCheer, so having such enthusiastic support from our AM is really appreciated.”