England's cheerleaders are World Champions

30 April 2017

Team England cheerleaders have flipped and tumbled their way to the top at the World Championships in Orlando.

The all-female elite team beat 13 other nations to bag the gold medal, while the mixed team won silver in their category.

They beat Puerto Rico who came third, while Chile took the gold.

The teams had two-and-a-half minutes on the stage, bringing together hundreds of complicated stunts, to impress the judges.

"These are results we once only dreamed about and making them a reality is amazing," head coach, Tori Rubin, told Newsbeat.

"England are now recognised as a powerhouse country within the sport."

"That is really something, we have worked very hard for and a World Championship title and a silver medal placing is an incredible achievement."

The teams train all year for their two-and-a-half minutes on the floor and it all has to come together at the right moment.

For the 24 women in the team it's something they won't forget.

Tamsyn Kent

"For all-girl it was their difficulty, technique and attention to detail," explained Tori Rubin.

"The girls gave a stunning performance."

The mixed male and female team achieved silver against very strong competition from Chile and beat 17 other nations.

For them, it was a particularly poignant event.

Tamsyn Kent

"A 2016 team member passed away in a road cycling accident last November," said Tori Rubin.

"The performance was a tribute to his memory, so it was a very moving occasion for everyone."

Team England Paracheer - a group of disabled and non-disabled athletes - also aimed high.

They took the world title for their division last Thursday.

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The success of England's cheerleaders reinforces its changing image with it recently being recognised as a sport.

It will also receive funding from the International Olympic Committee, the first step to it appearing in a future Olympic Games.

"We are hoping it [the wins] will push awareness of competitive cheer to new heights," said Tori Rubin.

"It's time that cheerleading was recognised as the incredibly difficult athletic sport that it is."

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