Baton twirling

A baton is a light metal rod that is used for keeping time, twirling, and juggling in marching band, cheerleading, and parade performances, usually by drum majors or majorettes (Drum majors typically use either the larger mace or the smaller military baton.)

Baton twirling is a competitive sport involving the manipulation of a balanced metal rod with the hands and body to a co-ordinated routine, similar to rhythmic gymnastics. A baton routine may run solo or as a team in practiced sets.

Majorettes (as in ZBTHS) are baton twirlers who perform a routine to the music of a marching band as opposed to independent composition. Technically, twirling is a form of Object Manipulation.

Baton twirling as a sport has an unknown origin. Many people say that the Dutch introduced baton twirling to America in 1681 when they landed in Pennsylvania, others say Major Millsaps created baton twirling when he established Millsaps College in Mississippi after the Civil War. The sport has expanded beyond parades and is now more comparable to rhythmic gymnastics (which includes manipulation of ribbons and light objects). In the USA, the top two twirling organizations are the United States Twirling Association and the National Baton Twirling Association Other organizations include Drum Majorettes of America, Twirling Unlimited, and World Twirling Association. The sport is popular in many countries including Japan, France, Italy and Canada. Many countries compete each year at the World Baton Twirling Championships. Major twirling organizations include; NBTA (National Baton Twirling Association), USTA (United States Twirling Association), DMA (Drum Majorettes of America), WTA (World Twirling Association), and TU (Twirling Unlimited) Some people start twirling as young as 3 years old.

The sport is popular in many countries including Japan, Australia, Canada, United States, Brazil, South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Spain, Holland, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and the Seychelles. Many of these countries compete at the WBTF World Championships, held in August every year. Many also compete in the NBTA World Championships, held every 3 years in April.

Twirling Organizations in America

American twirling organizations include United States Twirling Association (USTA), National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA), Twirling Unlimited (TU), Drum Majorettes of America (DMA), World Twirling Association, the UKFM, United Kingdom Federation Of Majorettes and more. Two of these organizations hold World Championships. USTA is a member of the WBTF, and NBTA holds its own world championships. The two most prominent organizations are NBTA and USTA. "Joyful Twirlers" is a youth sports ministy which emphasises building confidence and leadership skills.

Competitive baton twirling

Drum Majorettes of America is a smaller organization, but very similar to the other organizations. It offers the same events (Solo, Strut, Two Baton, etc.) Along with other competitions, nationals is held annually in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. DMA does not offer a world championship.

The National Baton Twirling association is one organization in competitive baton twirling. Throughout the year there are many local, state, and regionals competitions leading up to Nationals (AYOP: America's Youth on Parade) in South Bend, Indiana at The University of Notre Dame every year and a worlds competition every three years in new locations each time. Events include: For Individuals at nationals- Solo, 2-baton, 3-baton, X-Strut, Rhythmic Twirl, Show Twirl, Modeling, and a three part pageant, Miss Majorette including solo, X-strut, and modeling. For Worlds: Solo, Two Baton, Rhythmic Twirl (freestyle), Strut, Duet, and Team

The World Baton Twirling Federation also hold local, state, regional, and National competitions in the Baton Twirling world every year. Members from over 22 countries come and compete in the World Baton Twirling Championships and the WBTF International Cup, which are known as the most prestigious events in the baton twirling world. The 27th WBTF World Baton Twirling Championships were recently held in Rome, Italy, along with the 2nd WBTF International Cup.

Individual Twirling routines include: Solo, Fancy Best Appearing, Military Best Appearing, Fancy Strut, Military Strut, Basic Box Military Box, Dress modeling, Show routines, Multiple baton solo (two, three) and more.

The World Championships have the following events:

Freestyle	Senior Women & Men, Junior Women and Men	A solo event accompanied by a compulsory/short programme event
Pair	Senior & Junior	Made up of men and/or women
Team	6+ members	Men and women can compete together

The International Cup Championships have the following events:

Event	Description	Levels	Age Divisions
Solo 1	one baton solo routine to set music	A and B	Junior, Senior and Adult
Solo 2	second baton solo routine to set music	A and B	Junior, Senior and Adult
Solo 3	third baton solo routine to set music	A and B	Junior, Senior and Adult
Team	6-8 Members	A and B
Group	9+ Members	A and B

Since 2005, the two competitions have been run concurrently over a week. In 2009, the competitions will begin running separately, with the International Cup falling on uneven years and the World Championships on even years. New events such as Freestyle and Pairs across different age levels and divisions will then be added to the International Cup, in a manner similar to the current Solo events.

The following cities have previously hosted the competitions:

1980	Seattle	USA		1st World Championships
1981	Nice	France
1982	Tokyo	Japan
1983	Milan	Italy
1984	Calgary	Canada
1985	Frankfurt	Germany
1986	Turin	Italy
1987	Paris	France
1988	Nagoya	Japan
1989	Lausanne	Switzerland
1990	Texas	USA
1991	Padova	Italy
1992	Paris	France
1993	Den Bosch	Netherlands
1994	Toronto	Canada
1995	Geneva	Switzerland
1996	Genova	Italy
1997	Hawaii	USA
1998	Lyon	France
1999	Daytona Beach	USA
2000	Den Bosch	Netherlands
2001	Villebon sur Yvette	France
2002	Saskatoon	Canada
2003	Badalona, Barcelona	Spain
2004	Osaka	Japan
2005	Minnesota/St. Paul	USA		1st International Cup begins running concurrently
2006	Rome	Italy
2007	Hamilton, Ontario	Canada
2008	Limerick	Ireland		last year both competitions will run concurrently
2009	Sydney	Australia		1st lone standing International Cup

Famous Baton Twirlers

2007 World Champions (World Baton Twirling Federation)

Senior Women: Yumi Iijima (JAPAN)
Senior Men: Tosimichi Sasaki (JAPAN)

Junior Men: Yuki Aikawa (JAPAN)
Junior Women: Mizuki Sako (JAPAN)
Team: Japan
Senior Pair: Japan
Junior Pair: Japan

2006 World Champions (World Baton Twirling Federation)

Senior Women: Chiho Honjo (JAPAN)
Senior Men: Tosimichi Sasaki (JAPAN)

Junior Men: Keisuke Komada (JAPAN)
Junior Women: Tomoe Nisigaki (JAPAN)
Team: France
Senior Pair: Japan
Junior Pair: Japan

Current NBTA World Champions

Senior Women

Solo- Karrissa Wimberley
Strut- Bobbie-jo Solomon
Freestyle- Danielle VanScoyk
Two Baton- Karrissa Wimberley

Junior Women

Solo- Danielle Cobb
Strut- Danielle Cobb
Freestyle- Danielle Cobb
Two Baton- Chelsea Russell

Pre-Teen

Solo- jennifer cali (USA)
Strut- Melissa Cox (USA)
Freestyle- Kristen Scali (USA)
Two Baton-Kristin Scail (USA)

Juvenille

Solo- Shawna Ashmor(USA)
Strut-Alexa Wisener (USA)
Freestyle- Rebecca Lantz (USA)
Two Baton- Savannah Miller (USA)

Junior Boys

Solo- Matt Freeman (USA)
Freestyle- Tihomir Bendelja (HR)
Two Baton- Kevin Vaitilingom (FRA)

Senior Men

Solo- Gerben Helden van (NED)
Freestyle- Cyril Martin (FRA)
Two Baton- Donovan Sarr (USA)

Famous Champions/Podium Finishers

Annetta Lucero (USA), Stacy Singer (CAN) (Seven Time World Champion: 1985, 1988-1993), Seishi Inagaki (JPN), Mark Nash (USA), Leah Holliday (CAN), Chiharu Tachibana (JPN), Karrissa Wimberley (USA), Sean Wimberley (USA), Bob Foehlinger (USA), Chelsea Russell (USA), Brandy Martin (USA), Jason Lee (USA), Erick Barguet (FRA), Bridgette Bartley (USA), Melissa Marcus (USA)Jennifer Marcus, (USA), Hollie Neilson (CAN), Noriko Takahashi (JPN), Chiara Stefanazzi (ITA),Marci Papadopoulos (USA), Bertrand Royer (FRA),Alysha Depp (USA), Akemi Kimura (JPN), Kellie Donovan (USA), Jenny Hannah (USA), Shuichi Kawazu (JPN), Danielle Cobb (USA), Michelle Smith (CAN), Jenna Jemieff (CAN), Danielle VanScoyk (USA), Bobbie-jo Solomon (USA), Cathy Fujimi (USA), Bonnie Palacious (USA), Savannah Miller (USA), Sébastien Dubois (FRA), Kellie Trouten (USA), Hope (Carrell) Ham (USA).

Other Notables: Cindy Goldie (CAN), Elisa Johnson (USA), Kathy Hewitt (ENG), David Doyne (IRE), Jennifer Spooner (AUS), Ilona Van Hogeloon (HOL), Casey Berry (CAN), Angel Escuin (SPA), Sonia Vela (SPA), Chelsea Bissonette (CAN), Xavier Papin (FRA), Brenda Bennett (CAN), Stephanie Hart (CAN),Dale White (USA), Mary Ann Lasseter (USA), Angelique Lambert(FRA), Laetitia Patoullard (FRA)