Baton twirler Ciaran Muir is winning medals and defying stereotypes.

Perthshire schoolboy comes second in British championships

A Perthshire schoolboy is defying doubters to become one of Scotland’s top baton twirlers.

At the age of just nine Ciaran Muir already has a “six pack” stomach, gained through the hours of training he dedicates to the physically-demanding sport.

He has just returned from British Open championships in Preston, where he gained second place in the freestyle category. He trains with Dardas Diamonds, based in Glenrothes.

One of just three Scottish boys twirling in British Baton Twirling Sports Association competitions, Ciaran picked up a baton almost as soon as he could walk and entered his first competition at just 14 months old.

His mum Sarah, who is a coach with Fair City Baton Twirlers, said: “Ciaran, from a very young age, would play with batons in the house. He later came out with me and when he could walk he would go out on the floor and push the older girls out of the way so that he could have a shot.

“He loves the stage; we call him Billy Elliot in the house.”

She added that he has previously been the target of cruel remarks, which she hoped would not discourage him from achieving his dreams of competing in Europe.

“It’s unusual for a boy to do it here,” she said. “He’s too young for Europe right now, he’s desperate to go but he has to be 12. He’ll be at high school by that time, so hopefully the teasing doesn’t take over and put him off.

“He takes it on the chin but it does bug him sometimes. I think people don’t realise that it takes a lot to do what they do – they need a lot of stamina and strength.”

Ciaran, from Abernethy, added: “I love competing. I’m the only boy I know who does it – it proves that baton twirling is not just for girls, it’s also for boys.

“A couple of people in my brother’s class made fun of me recently but I told them to go away and said ‘I’d love to see you try it’.

He loves the stage; we call him Billy Elliot in the house. MUM SARAH

Brave Ciaran Muir is beating the bullies by becoming brilliant at his chosen sport of baton twirling.

The nine-year-old has loved the hobby since before he could walk and won’t let the barbs of ignorant youngsters put him off.

He is already close to British glory and has his sights set on Europe. The best way to silence his uninformed critics is to show them a trophy cabinet fit to burst.

We have no doubt he will have the last laugh.

Picture: PPA. Ciaran says the sport is physically demanding and keeps him fit.