Baton twirlers meet challenge for Japanese festival

By Kumiko Takahashi

Do you know what Baton Twirling is? Baton twirling is a performance in which a baton twirler turns a metal stick, which has a rubber weight attached to each end, and throws it into the air. In addition, it’s a kind of sport. Recently it became popular in many countries, including Canada, the United States, Brazil, England, etc.

Is it popular in Japan too? It isn’t popular in Japan yet. But I learned it for two years. When I saw the performance for the first time, I was surprised and impressed. After that I started being interested in baton twirling. Fortunately, there was a baton twirling club in my hometown; and there were very good teachers, so I could start learning it.

My teammates and I choreographed our performances together. Our club participated in some contests and took part in parades and festivals in our city.

One day, we participated in the sports festival of my town, and I’d like to tell you about this.

This festival opened at my alma mater, and there were many people participating in the festival. We usually play baton twirling in a gym, but this festival was in a sandy playground. At lunch time break, it was our turn. First we wore a marching band costume and played percussion. It was difficult to play instruments as we walked. After that we changed our costume and performed baton twirling. There were no marks to show us where to stand, and we were not allowed to drop the baton on the ground. We felt a lot of pressure.

During the performance, we threw a baton into the air and turned it with a hand and a finger. The most difficult part was one big technique with another teammate. We lined up and threw a baton to each other and caught another person’s baton. It was very difficult, but we practiced hard.

Finally, we did it! And the performance at that festival finished successfully.

I like both playing and watching baton twirling very much. I would like to play and learn it again. And I wish that baton twirling would become more popular in the world, especially in Japan.