Becoming world champions in two cheerleading competitions. Expressing emotion and gratitude on the highest stage

 

In April of this year, ICU students represented Japan at two world dance competitions held in Florida, USA, winning gold medals in the open mixed hip hop category at "THE DANCE WORLDS 2025" and the doubles hip hop category at the "2025 ICU World Cheerleading Championships." We spoke to the members, who were crowned world champions, about the joy of victory and how they balance their studies with their sport.

 

What kind of competitions were the two in which you won gold medals?

Niwa: Both are international cheerleading and dance competitions, with THE DANCE WORLDS (hereafter referred to as WORLDS) a competition to determine the world's best club team, and the ICU World Cheerleading Championships (hereafter referred to as ICU) a global competition between countries. The WORLDS Open Mixed Hip Hop division is for mixed teams of 16-24 people, while the ICU Doubles Hip Hop division is for pairs of two people who compete in hip hop dance technique and expressiveness. Our dance team, WORLD WINGS 2WDC (hereafter referred to as 2WDC), participated in this year's WORLDS, and my ICU pair, Shibata and I, participated for the second year in a row.

WORLDS is a team performance, but what are the challenges and joys of dancing with a large group of people?

Niwa: What was difficult was having members of different ages, physiques, and skills continue to practice toward the same goal, and unite their movements and their hearts. Since the judging criteria depended on the harmony of the entire team, it was extremely challenging for each member to suppress their own individual dance style, coordinate their movements, and adjust their position in 10cm increments to make the formation look beautiful. The performance combined four songs, so we had to unify our facial expressions to match the melody of each song and strive for harmony of heart. It's difficult because we have so many members, but the moment everyone's thoughts truly become one, we can make a huge impact on the audience and the judges. I think that's the appeal that only team competitions have.

Takeuchi: In our mixed-gender team, I am particularly short at 152cm, so I was often told to "stand a little taller" to keep the choreography in sync with the others. The choreography involved a lot of acrobatics, so it was physically demanding. However, since I started dancing in junior high school, I had been practicing on my own how to move in order to look taller, so I was able to put that practice to good use.

Please tell us how you felt when you won the gold medal as a team.

Niwa: I was just so happy from the bottom of my heart. At the same time, I felt strongly that it was really worth it that we had practiced for the past year. During the four-day competition, there were small changes to the choreography and structure almost every day, and each time we had to adapt by practicing together as a team. In the final performance, everyone was able to concentrate and deliver a performance with a sense of unity, and I think we can confidently say that this was the best performance in the world. We were able to win the gold medal thanks to the support of not only the members, but also the director, coaches, and everyone who supported us, and it was a moment when everyone's efforts were rewarded.

Nomura: When the results were announced, the teams were called in order from lowest to highest, and when in the end only England and our two teams remained, the tension was incredible, and we all held hands and prayed. The tension was so intense that the moment they called out "Japan!" we were filled with relief and joy. The team's training base is in Osaka, and we practiced as the "Tokyo team," exchanging opinions and supporting each other. The sense of security that came from always having teammates beside us who could compete with each other was a great support and gave us great strength.

Takeuchi: I felt really happy and relieved. Our team had also competed at ICU just before the WORLDS, where we won the silver medal. Of course, I was happy about the silver medal, but I was still disappointed... I think I was able to channel all of those feelings into my performance at WORLDS. I was very happy to be able to show my parents and everyone who supported me our two medals, gold and silver.

Otani: More than the joy of seeing my hard work pay off, I was truly happy to be able to repay the support of everyone who had shown them so much in so many different ways. I think that because each and every member of the team aimed to surpass their own limits, rather than comparing themselves to others, they surpassed the other teams in the "power to convey their feelings" that Niwa mentioned, and that led to the gold medal.

Niwa and Shibata, representing ICU, won the gold medal this year in the doubles hip-hop division, following on from last year's silver medal. How did you feel at that moment?

Shibata: The Thai pair that won the gold medal last year was competing again this year, so we were happy to be able to show each other how much we'd grown and then get revenge. The moment the results were announced, the Thai pair called out "Congratulations!" and we replied with the same words. I was moved that we were able to take first place while maintaining such a strong emotional connection.

Niwa: Last year, when we first competed, I was so nervous I couldn't do anything and it felt like "only nervousness could get the better of me" (laughs), but this year Shibata and I had a lot of fun and we were able to convey to the judges and the audience that "dance is inherently fun." Another thing that was different from last year was that the 2WDC members and Japanese representatives from other divisions were cheering us on from the audience. Having our juniors and important friends from Soka University right in front of us was the biggest source of strength for us.

What did you juniors think of the two of them performing in doubles?

Nomura: Yoshi-san (Niwa) and Takeru-san (Shibata) are seniors that the three of us have admired and watched dance since high school. Their performance this time was so exciting that it made me want to dance along with them, and it really showed 200% of their individuality and personality, which was really cool.

Takeuchi: I had seen them practice in Japan, but their performance on stage was something else entirely. It was as if we, the cheering members, were inspired by their performance and felt motivated to do our best. It was very moving.

Otani: As an audience member, I was also very excited. It was clear that the two of them had poured their souls into making the performance their own, and I felt very proud to be on the same team as them. At the same time, it reaffirmed to me that we too must perform in a similar way.

For the three second-year students, the year they entered university was a year of major changes in their environment. What motivated them to become the best in the world while also balancing their studies?

Ohtani: I decided that I wanted to improve my English skills in college, so I am taking an international program at Faculty of Economics. There are many assignments, but I always finished them on the day they were assigned, and I focused on practicing on Saturdays and Sundays. I felt the difficulty of living alone away from my parents, but I was supported by my desire not to betray my family and friends who continued to believe in me.

Nomura: I joined 2WDC in May of my first year of university, and I actually gave up on joining until April, so I joined various student organizations and clubs right after entering the university. However, when it was decided to enter the 2WDC in May and I had to work on three things: studying, various activities, and dancing, it was really difficult. However, I had a strong feeling that "now that I have entered, I can't cut my hands out," and I think that being able to do all three with all one was a good experience that will be useful in my future life.

Takeuchi: In the spring of my first year, I had just started my university life and living alone, and there were times when I was confused because I was aware that I had to do all my classes and housework. However, I went back to Osaka twice a month for joint team practice, so eating my mother's homemade food at my parents' house and talking with my family at that time was a good change of pace, and I was able to overcome it.

Please give a message to your juniors who are aiming to enter Soka University.

Otani: Since I started dancing in high school, I have had goals and objectives to stand on the world stage and to give back to those who support me. Sodai has an atmosphere of supporting each other for what I am working hard for, and I feel that the mutual support and connection have pushed me towards my goals. If you have goals and objectives, I want to tell them that there is nothing you can't do at Sodai.

Takeuchi: At university, I feel that my own humanity has been honed with the support of advisors and kind friends who can consult with me about my studies and life concerns. By being the best in the world in dance this time, I was able to feel firsthand that "Sodai supports what I want to do." I hope that my juniors will feel that as well.

Nomura: I am studying at Faculty of Education with the aim of becoming an English teacher, and I feel that Sodai has many international students and has a good environment to learn English and international sensibilities. I think Soji University is suitable for those who don't want to end their university life just having fun, who want to seriously challenge something, and who want to grow themselves as a person.

Shibata: As the three second-year students said, the environment of Sodai supports students who want to take on challenges and work hard towards their dreams and goals. Not only that, but I think the wonderful thing about this university is that it supports you to find your dreams and goals, even if you don't have them. Now that I am in my fourth year, I feel once again that the charm of Sodai is that "I value people to the end".

Niwa: Sodai is a university where you can spend your time freely. My friends and I are living a fulfilling student life by challenging our favorite things, such as studying, club activities, clubs, and extracurricular activities. It is also attractive that students from diverse backgrounds and cultures gather. I hope you will meet lifelong friends with different values at Sodai. Also, I would be happy if the number of Sodai friends increased in 2WDC. High school students who are working on dance, why don't you join us and aim to be the best in the world? We look forward to seeing you all!