Good reason to cheer in Lodz, Poland

13 countries vying for title of World University Champion 

LODZ, Poland – As the World University Championship calendar for 2018 is nearing its end, one of the most exciting Championships begins in Poland on Friday, 5 October. The best university cheerleaders from around the world have converged in Lodz, to compete for the title of World University Champion.

The competition schedule runs over two days and will see a number of disciplines including pom, hip-hop and jazz. There are 13 countries in total that are participating, namely: Australia, Belarus, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Hungary, Japan, Poland, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, USA, Thailand and Mongolia.

There are certain disciplines like the ‘Pom Doubles’ that will feature teams of two, while other the ‘Large Coed’ that will see bigger groups of up to 20 participants. Let’s hear what they have to say before competing on Friday and Saturday.

Judyta Nowak, Poland, Team Performance Cheer Pom Double: Getting a chance to participate in the World University Championship is a great honor and a dream come true for every athlete. To meet people from another countries, with whom you share the same passion, can exchange knowledge and experience – this is what this kind of events are made for. Moreover, this year the 1st WUC Cheerleading is taking place in Łódź and is organised by the University Sports Association from my university, by people I know, so I am 100% sure that everybody, who is taking part in this event, as an athlete, a judge or a fan, will leave this place with only great memories of an incredible competition.

Maxwell Speer and Madelene McDonald, Australia, Premier Large Coed: The best thing about cheerleading is that it takes so many people to put up one stunt – and we’re all talking to each other, encouraging each other – it’s a great thing to do. To be here for the first World University Cheerleading Championship, it means a lot. It’s so good to be here with the whole team after having worked so much – blood sweat and tears, three nights a week. The venue is amazing. This place is incredible, so professional, vaguely intimidating but it’s so much fun to be in. We also love the atmosphere – everyone is really friendly and coming up, chatting, asking where you’re from. It’s a really fun environment to be a part of.

Natalie Bruno, Canada, Premier All Female: The best thing about cheerleading is the team aspect of it. Having a family as my team, just getting so close with all the people on the team, they’re like my best friends. All the girls on the team just became so close and we get to travel the world. That’s just been amazing and doing what we love together is awesome. It hasn’t really hit us yet what a crazy and amazing opportunity being at the 1st World University Cheerleading Championship is. When there’s more FISU World Cheerleading Championships, we’re gonna realise what a big deal it was, that we were the first team Canada to be at this event.

The entire competition schedule can be found .