Gold in twirling-NK for Jara de Groot from Schiedam

Jara de Groot in Almere is top notch; Photo; secretly

Schiedam – Jara de Groot, MD, of the Liberty Association in Barendacht, won a gold medal at the Dutch Championships of the National Baton Spinning Association (NBTA) last weekend.

The eighteen-year-old from Schieddam won Almere in the First Stick division. De Groot also won a bronze medal in the dance section.

Twirling or twirling is a combination of rhythmic gymnastics, gymnastics, ballet and mugirette, always with a so-called “baton”. These sticks are rotated frequently, hence the name rotate. It is similar to what we know as a Majorette; This is more about show and dance, while spinning is about sports and gymnastics.

Spinning originated from a combat sport that was popular in the Samoan Islands in the Pacific Ocean. From these islands the sport spread and developed in America, where national competitions and championships were soon held. The original combat equipment (large wooden sticks) was replaced by metal sticks with rubber tips.

In Schiedam there is a rotation in The Yellow Rainbows, part of the Harpe Davids Music Society, and also by Schiedamsen at the Adencia in Vlaardingen.