TEENAGER Jordan Field is jumping for joy - after winning a national cheerleading competition.
TEENAGER Jordan Field is jumping for joy - after winning a national cheerleading competition.
One of just a few boy cheerleaders nationwide, the 16-year-old from Trimley St Mary outshone all the other competitors with his stunning set of stunts as part of a fast-moving routine which thrilled the judges.
Jordan - who would love a career in showbiz and is also a keen singer and dancer - choreographed his moves and mixes his own music for the performance.
He was taking part in the British Cheerleading Association Western Classic at Newport, Wales, and won the junior solo championship.
A member of the Felixstowe-based Team Spirit cheerleading troupe, he was also a winner with four girls as part of a co-ed stunt team and third in a squad event.
“It was a great event and the first time I had won,” said Jordan, who lives with his mum and dad, Adele and Jonathan, and brother Connor, 12, in Punchard Way.
“I really love doing the cheerleading - it's a mix of dancing, which I love, and gymnastics, with stunts and tumbles, plus you have to do some cheerleading chants.
“I do my own choreography and mix my own music. It is quite unusual for boys to do cheerleading - I am the only one in this area - but it does mean I get lots to do in the routines.
“I have met other boys from around the country but usually there are not many of us in the competitions and we are up against a lot of girls.”
Jordan, a student at Deben High School, does lots of gymnastics training which has improved his strength to allow the troupe to try more difficult and impressive stunts.
His previous best in a competition was last year at Telford when he was second in an international event.
Also last year he reached the semi-finals of the national under 18s freestyle dance championship Dance Mayhem.
His mum said: “He is determined to keep doing well but will be giving competitions a bit of a break for a few months to concentrate on his GCSEs.”
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FASTFACTS: Cheerleading
Cheerleading started in America and is recognised as a sport involving tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers and stunts.
The aim is to support and draw attention to the event they are supporting and get the audience excited.
Around 1.5 million youngsters in the USA regularly participate - probably best known for their routines at the start of major sporting events, such as American college football games.
The sport has been popular in Britain for a number of years and its is reckoned there are more than 30,000 cheerleaders across the country.
Around 2,000 youngsters gather to take part in the big British Cheerleading Association competitions.
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