Israeli Youth Cheerleaders Win Bronze at International Competition in Orlando

Israeli youth cheerleaders won a bronze medal at the International Cheer Union World Championships held in late April 2026. The Youth Pom national team, made up of girls aged 12 to 14, secured third place at the International Cheerleading Cup in Orlando, Florida.

This was the first time Israel sent a full contingent to the championships and stood on the podium. The competition took place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The team was coached by Yuliia Hason Journo and Victoria Tomilin. Lyudmyla Yasinska Damri serves as president of the Israeli Cheerleading Association.

During the ICU Annual General Meeting, delegates discussed the admission of five new nations including Ethiopia and Sierra Leone. A request from Iran was also considered. Yasinska Damri voted in favor of Iran's admission. "The vote for Iran’s participation reflects a clear distinction between the Iranian people and a regime of terror," Yasinska Damri said.

"This is a values-driven stance. " The vote occurred days before the team's bronze medal performance.

In the Pom category, judges evaluate uniformity of motion in which 18 athletes must move as one. Precision is required down to the millisecond for every wrist flick, head tilt and breath. Pom-poms serve as markers that highlight any errors in synchronization.

Head coach Yuliia Hason Journo said the team shifted its approach for the 2026 event. "In the beginning, we were just trying to keep up with established nations," Hason Journo said. "But for Orlando 2026, we stopped playing defense. " The routine included fouettés and leaps into full splits.

Athlete Anna Privalova, 22, who competes in Double Pom, trains in Haifa after moving from Russia four years ago. She described the physical demands of the sport. "People see the glitter. They don’t see the bruised ribs, the torn ligaments, or the thousands of times we practice a single sequence until our muscles scream," Privalova said.

The bronze medal represents the first podium finish for an Israeli cheerleading team at the world championships. The Israeli Cheerleading Association supported the delegation's participation and preparation.