They’ve got talent, and it’s creating a buzz
Print Edition
CHEERLEADING looks so easy, but it is actually hard work that requires precision and stamina.
On the popular “China’s Got Talent” reality TV show, the East China Normal University’s All Star Cheering Squad from Minhang thrilled audiences with its aerial feats and synchronized movements.
Although the squad didn’t make it to the final round of the competition, its performance certainly had viewers holding their breath in awe.
Though quite common in sporting events elsewhere in the world, cheerleading is a rather new phenomenon in China.
Formed four years ago, Minhang’s squad began as an aerobics team of about 20 members. “We didn’t have many members, but all of them were cheerleading maniacs,” said team adviser Zhou Yan, himself a gymnast.
“At that time, cheerleading was just being introduced into China,” he said, “and the students were very sensitive to new things. I saw some students started to train by themselves, but it was obvious they were having trouble grasping the important points. So I asked them if they were willing to form a team with me.”
The students agreed with enthusiasm. At first, the squad lacked both a venue and a professional choreographer. But it didn’t lack passion or energy.
The squad initially practiced three times a day on a playground at the university. They used a CD player and mini stereo for the background music, cotton cushions as ground protection and videos of foreign cheerleading squads.
Half a year later, the original team expanded by 10 as the excitement spread on campus.
“We actually didn’t think much about the drawbacks we faced, “ said Jiang Erhu, an original member of the group. “We were relatively naive at that time. We just knew it’s what we loved doing.”
Their efforts were not in vain. In 2008, the team was invited to participate in the China Aerobics Championships. As the team gained confidence, its performances improved. What a thrill it was to be invited by the Universal Cheerleaders Association in the United States the same year to participate in the International All Star Championship. Competing next to people they once imitated gave the team a shot of adrenalin.
The team didn’t win any prizes in the US, but they learned a lot about competitions and the gap they needed to close with more advanced cheerleading teams.
“Many girls cried at our loss,” team member Lou Peng said. “But the experience steeled our determination to win the next time.”
Supporting guys
From then on, the frequency of practice increased to whenever members were free. They spent weekends and holidays working on their routines.
“Many team members ended up dating one another, and those relationships actually helped routines where guys were supporting their girl friends doing aerial somersaults,” said Lou.
“Apart from school work, we talked endlessly about skills and formations,” she added.
Two years later, the team returned to the United States for the championships. With a higher level of stunt difficulty and improved coordination among members, the team came in runner-up.
“The girls cried again, but, of course, this time they were tears of joy,” said Lou.
Team member Shi Deli attributes the team’s achievements to dogged persistence. During a 2012 contest, a team member hurt his wrist when supporting a girl in the air, but he didn’t falter and made it to the end of the routine.
“Every time a new member wants to join the team, I tell them that story,” said Shi. “It’s not that every member on the team is required to be so heroic, but we want them to know that cheerleading can involve some pain.”
Apparently, pain is not a deterrent for the dedicated. The team today numbers more than 80, and some of the leading members are treated as stars on campus.
“But they don’t act like stars, which is good,” said Zhou. “To them honors and awards aren’t as important as the performing experience. They all share disappointments and achievements.”
Zhou said the team was very enthusiastic about participating in “China’s Got Talent.” Its failure to win any prizes was mitigated by the enthusiastic response to their performance from judges and audience.
Actress Vicki Zhao, one of the four judges, said the team’s performance would light up anyone’s day.
“I felt exuberance watching the performance,” she said on air. “It’s vibrant and appealing, and I can see the happiness you convey to people who watch you.”
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