Majorettes
Encyclopedia
Baton twirling is an activity involving the manipulation of a metal rod and the human body to a coordinated routine and is similar to rhythmic gymnastics
or color guard (flag spinning). Twirling combines dance
and gymnastics
while manipulating a single baton or multiple batons. It is primarily performed with the accompaniment of music
. Fundamental characteristics of the sport include the handling of the baton to create visual images, pictures, and patterns executed with dexterity both close in and around the body and the release of the baton into the air. The discipline requires the simultaneous blending of these fundamental characteristics, utilizing time and space to display both technical merit and artistic expression.
Baton twirling requires skillful coordination and extraordinary control of the human body. Additionally it requires a great amount of flexibility
in order to properly execute baton, dance, and gymnastics elements. Choreography
for baton twirling is designed to promote expression of the body through dance and movement to create a demonstration of strength, flexibility, physical fitness, beauty, aesthetics, and harmony in coordination with the manipulation of the baton.
Baton twirling started in Eastern Europe and Asia. It is thought it started at dance festivals where the goers used knives, Rifles, torches and sticks to twirl with and toss. The sport progressed into the armies of some countries which twirled with rifles during marches. When the army was parading, they added a rifle twirler to the front of the marchers. The rifle was then switched for a "mace". The mace was much larger than the batons of today and imbalanced. They are still used by some marching bands at parades nowadays. The mace barer or "drum major" twirled the baton whilst leading the army or band. The maces were altered for easier twirling and now resemble the batons. They were given smaller ends of light rubber, made from hollow light metal and balanced to give accuracy to the twirler. It is thought it was the involvement of females ("drum majorettes") and the progression of twirling that prompted the lightening and balancing of the baton. The sport came to North America when Major Millsap’s created baton twirling when he established Millsap’s College in Mississippi
after the Civil War.
While many member countries have their own national organizations, at the world level, three governing bodies are recognized:
the World Baton Twirling Federation (WBTF)/, the World Twirling Association (WTA)/, and The Global Alliance of National Baton Twirling & Majorette Associations (NBTA)/.
The WBTF and NBTA host World Championships and International Cup (WBTF), while the WTA continues to honor the origins of the sport with additional events that WBTF does not include.
Established in 1977, the World Baton Twirling Federation was formed to develop, encourage, and standardize the sport. In October 1979, the Federation representatives met in Paris
, France
to finalize all plans for the first World Championships, bringing together teams of twirlers from ten countries to compete in a spirit of healthy, athletic competition. The United States Twirling Association, Inc. hosted the first World Championships in Seattle, Washington in 1980. Each successive year, one member country has hosts the championships in August.
Current member countries of the WBTF include: Australia
, Belgium
, Brazil
, Canada
, Catalonia
, Croatia
, England
, France
, Germany
, Hungary
, Ireland
, Italy
, Japan
, Netherlands
, Norway
, Scotland
, Seychelles
, Slovenia
, South Africa
, Sweden
, Switzerland
and the United States of America.
Current member countries of the NBTA include: Belgium
, Bulgaria
, Canada
, Croatia
, Czech Republic
, England
, France
, Germany
, Holland, Ireland
, Italy
, Norway
, Romania
, Russia
, Scotland
, Slovenia
, Spain
, Switzerland
, Ukraine
, and the United States of America. Under consideration are: Australia
, Estonia
, Japan
, Slovenia
, and South Africa
.
The events at the World Championships are not the only events in the sport. Thus, the very first International Cup was hosted by the USTA in St. Paul, Minnesota. Additional events offered at the International Cup include: 1-baton, 2-baton, 3-baton, Team and Group.
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
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:
Solo one baton to music,novice beginner intermediate advanced(levels)0-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16+
two baton to music,novice beginner intermediate advanced 0-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16+
Showtwirl multiple batons with a prop and music novice beginner intermediate advanced 0-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16+
basic march novice beginner intermediate advanced 0-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16+
military march novice beginner intermediate advanced 0-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16+
Modeling novice beginner intermediate advanced 0-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16+
(events and age divisions and levels may vary due to baton association.)
This is for athletes that competed at 10+ World Championships. Not all are Champions.
Rhythmic gymnastics
Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which individuals or teams of competitors manipulate one or two pieces of apparatus: rope, clubs, hoop, ball, ribbon and Free . An individual athlete only manipulates 1 apparatus at a time...
or color guard (flag spinning). Twirling combines dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
and gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
while manipulating a single baton or multiple batons. It is primarily performed with the accompaniment of music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
. Fundamental characteristics of the sport include the handling of the baton to create visual images, pictures, and patterns executed with dexterity both close in and around the body and the release of the baton into the air. The discipline requires the simultaneous blending of these fundamental characteristics, utilizing time and space to display both technical merit and artistic expression.
Baton twirling requires skillful coordination and extraordinary control of the human body. Additionally it requires a great amount of flexibility
Flexibility
Flexibility may refer to:* Flexibility , the distance of motion of a joint, which may be increased by stretching* Flexibility , in the field of engineering systems design, designs that can adapt when external changes occur...
in order to properly execute baton, dance, and gymnastics elements. Choreography
Choreography
Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" ...
for baton twirling is designed to promote expression of the body through dance and movement to create a demonstration of strength, flexibility, physical fitness, beauty, aesthetics, and harmony in coordination with the manipulation of the baton.
History
Baton twirling started in Eastern Europe and Asia. It is thought it started at dance festivals where the goers used knives, Rifles, torches and sticks to twirl with and toss. The sport progressed into the armies of some countries which twirled with rifles during marches. When the army was parading, they added a rifle twirler to the front of the marchers. The rifle was then switched for a "mace". The mace was much larger than the batons of today and imbalanced. They are still used by some marching bands at parades nowadays. The mace barer or "drum major" twirled the baton whilst leading the army or band. The maces were altered for easier twirling and now resemble the batons. They were given smaller ends of light rubber, made from hollow light metal and balanced to give accuracy to the twirler. It is thought it was the involvement of females ("drum majorettes") and the progression of twirling that prompted the lightening and balancing of the baton. The sport came to North America when Major Millsap’s created baton twirling when he established Millsap’s College in Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
after the Civil War.
While many member countries have their own national organizations, at the world level, three governing bodies are recognized:
the World Baton Twirling Federation (WBTF)/, the World Twirling Association (WTA)/, and The Global Alliance of National Baton Twirling & Majorette Associations (NBTA)/.
The WBTF and NBTA host World Championships and International Cup (WBTF), while the WTA continues to honor the origins of the sport with additional events that WBTF does not include.
Established in 1977, the World Baton Twirling Federation was formed to develop, encourage, and standardize the sport. In October 1979, the Federation representatives met in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to finalize all plans for the first World Championships, bringing together teams of twirlers from ten countries to compete in a spirit of healthy, athletic competition. The United States Twirling Association, Inc. hosted the first World Championships in Seattle, Washington in 1980. Each successive year, one member country has hosts the championships in August.
Current member countries of the WBTF include: Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, Seychelles
Seychelles
Seychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....
, Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
and the United States of America.
Current member countries of the NBTA include: Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Holland, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, and the United States of America. Under consideration are: Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Competitive Baton Twirling
The main events at the first World Baton Twirling Championships were Freestyle and Compulsory Moves. Two new events were introduced: Teams (1981) and Pairs (1993). In 2005, a Short Program replaced the Compulsory Moves for the Senior Men and Women’s divisions.The events at the World Championships are not the only events in the sport. Thus, the very first International Cup was hosted by the USTA in St. Paul, Minnesota. Additional events offered at the International Cup include: 1-baton, 2-baton, 3-baton, Team and Group.
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
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 | 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 - WBTF President Lynda Garland (CAN) retires after 25 years of Service. Sandi Weimers (USA) elected as WBTF president. |
| 2009 | Sydney | Australia |  |
1st lone standing International Cup |
| 2010 | Bergen | Norway |  |
1st lone standing World Championships since 2004 |
| 2011 | Jacksonville, Florida | USA | |
(International Cup) |
| 2012 | TBC | France | |
(World Championships) |
Solo one baton to music,novice beginner intermediate advanced(levels)0-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16+
two baton to music,novice beginner intermediate advanced 0-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16+
Showtwirl multiple batons with a prop and music novice beginner intermediate advanced 0-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16+
basic march novice beginner intermediate advanced 0-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16+
military march novice beginner intermediate advanced 0-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16+
Modeling novice beginner intermediate advanced 0-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16+
(events and age divisions and levels may vary due to baton association.)
Winners by year
- Senior Women - Tomoe Nishigaki (JAPAN)
- Senior Men - Shuichi Kawazu (JAPAN)
- Junior Women - Sakaya Hongoh (JAPAN)
- Junior Men - Naoya Moro (JAPAN)
- Team - Japan
- Senior Pair - Japan
- Junior Pair - Japan
- Senior Women - Yumi Ijima (JAPAN)
- Senior Men - Toshimichi Sasaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Women - Madeline Johnstone (AUSTRALIA)
- Junior Men - Yuki Aikawa (JAPAN)
- Team - Japan
- Senior Pair - France
- Junior Pair - Japan
- Senior Women - Yumi Ijima (JAPAN)
- Senior Men - Toshimichi Sasaki(JAPAN)
- Junior Women - Mizuki Sako (JAPAN)
- Junior Men - Yuki Aikawa (JAPAN)
- Team - Japan
- Senior Pair - Japan
- Junior Pair - Japan
- Senior Women - Chiho Honjo (JAPAN)
- Senior Men - Toshimichi Sasaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Women - Tomoe Nishigaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Men - Keisuke Komada (JAPAN)
- Team - France
- Senior Pair - Japan
- Junior Pair - Japan
- Senior Women - Chiharu Tachibana (JAPAN)
- Senior Men - Seishi Inagaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Women - Tomoe Nishigaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Men - Keisuke Komada (JAPAN)
- Team - USA
- Senior Pair - Japan
- Junior Pair - Japan
- Senior Women - Chiho Honjo (JAPAN)
- Senior Men - Seishi Inagaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Women - Tomoe Nishigaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Men - Keisuke Komada (JAPAN)
- Team - Japan
- Senior Pair - Japan
- Junior Pair - France
- Senior Women - Chiharu Tachibana (JAPAN)
- Senior Men - Seishi Inagaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Women - Haruka Izumi (JAPAN)
- Junior Men - Keisuke Komada (JAPAN)
- Team - USA
- Senior Pair - Japan
- Junior Pair - Japan
- Senior Women - Hollie Neilson (CANADA)
- Senior Men - Seishi Inagaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Women - Haruka Izumi (JAPAN)
- Junior Men - Keisuke Komada (JAPAN)
- Team - USA
- Senior Pair - Japan
- Junior Pair - Japan
- Senior Women - Hollie Neilson (CANADA)
- Senior Men - Seishi Inagaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Women - Yumi Iljima (JAPAN)
- Junior Men - Manabu Kawaguchi (JAPAN)
- Team - Japan
- Senior Pair - France
- Junior Pair - Japan
- Senior Women - Hollie Neilson (CANADA)
- Senior Men - Seishi Inagaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Women - Yumi Iljima (JAPAN)
- Junior Men - Shuichi Kawazu (JAPAN)
- Team - Japan
- Senior Pair - France
- Junior Pair - Japan
- Senior Women - Noriko Takahashi (JAPAN)
- Senior Men - Seishi Inagaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Women - Hollie Neilson (CANADA)
- Junior Men - Shuichi Kawazu (JAPAN)
- Team - Japan
- Senior Pair - Canada
- Junior Pair - Canada
- Senior Women - Noriko Takahashi (JAPAN)
- Senior Men - Seishi Inagaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Women - Hollie Neilson (CANADA)
- Junior Men - Shuichi Kawazu (JAPAN)
- Team - Japan
- Senior Pair - Japan
- Junior Pair - Japan
- Senior Women - Annetta Lucero (USA)
- Senior Men - Seishi Inagaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Women - Akemi Kimura (JAPAN)
- Junior Men - Jason Lee (USA)
- Team - Japan
- Senior Pair - Japan
- Junior Pair - Japan
- Senior Women - Chiara Stefanazzi (ITALY)
- Senior Men - Seishi Inagaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Women - Akemi Kimura (JAPAN)
- Junior Men - Gregory Thinet (FRANCE)
- Team - France
- Senior Pair - Japan
- Junior Pair - Japan
- Senior Women - Noriko Takahaski (JAPAN)
- Senior Men - Seishi Inagaki (JAPAN)
- Junior Women - Aiko Hamada (JAPAN)
- Junior Men - Gregory Thinet (FRANCE)
- Team - Japan
- Senior Pair - Japan
- Junior Pair - Japan
- Senior Women - Noriko Takahaski (JAPAN)
- Senior Men - Mark Nash (USA)
- Junior Women - Alysha Depp (USA)
- Junior Men - Toshimichi Sasaki (JAPAN)
- Team - Japan
- Senior Pair - France
- Junior Pair - Japan
- Senior Women - Stacy Singer (CANADA)
- Senior Men - Kevan Latrace (CANADA)
- Junior Women - Chiara Stefanazzi (ITALY)
- Junior Men - Seishi Inagaki (JAPAN)
- Team - USA
- Senior Pair - Japan
- Junior Pair - Japan
2009
- B Junior Men - Curt Burrows (USA)
- A Junior Men - Matthew Johnson (CANADA)
- Elite Junior Men - Yoshimaru Shirakawa (JAPAN)
- A Senior Men - Jack Giordano (USA)
- Elite Senior Men - Keisuke Komada (JAPAN)
- A Adult Men - David Doyne (IRELAND)
- Elite Adult Men - Schuichi Kawazu (JAPAN)
- B Junior Women - Jamie Hogan (USA)
- A Junior Women - Blinera Sallitolli (CATALONIA)
- Elite Junior Women - Yukako Shingu (JAPAN)
- B Senior Women - Catreena Hale (USA)
- A Senior Women - Ziva Kovac (SLOVENIA)
- Elite Senior Women - Tomoe Nishigaki (JAPAN)
- B Adult Women - Aryn Bigler (USA)
- A Adult Women - Kyla Wilson (CANADA)
- Elite Adult Women - Arisa Tanaka (JAPAN)
Athletes
In 1998, the WBTF introduced the Special Athlete's Award of Recognition. Winners of this award are:This is for athletes that competed at 10+ World Championships. Not all are Champions.
2003
- Chiharu Tachiban - Japan
- Kellie Donovan - USA
- Sebastien Dubois - France
- Tamara Hoevenaars - Holland
2001
- Bridgette Bartley - USA
- Chiara Stefanazzi - Italy
- Elin Hjartaaker - Norway
- Jenny Hannah - USA
- Mark Nash - USA
1998
- Celine Tanner-Imhof - Switzerland
- Chiho Honjo - Japan
- Christian De Backer - Belgium
- Kevan Latrace - Canada
- Lucinda McMaster - Canada
- Noriko Takahashi - Japan
- Toshimichi Sasaki - Japan