GLOBAL NEW QUEEN CONFIRMED: Ohio State Cheerleading Officially Crowned World’s #1 Cheer Team After Unforgettable Championship Performance

In a spectacle that shook the foundation of competitive cheerleading and captured the admiration of fans around the globe, the Ohio State University cheerleading squad has officially been crowned the No. 1 Cheer Team on the planet. ESPN made the announcement following a jaw-dropping, show-stopping performance at the 2025 International Cheer and Dance Championship.

There are victories, and then there are moments that transcend competition—moments that redefine standards, that inspire generations, that engrave names into legend. What Ohio State delivered in the finals wasn’t just technically flawless or emotionally powerful. It was seismic. It was unforgettable. It was iconic.

Held in Tokyo, Japan, this year’s International Cheer and Dance Championship brought together elite programs from six continents. From powerhouse American squads to dazzling entries from Japan, Canada, Brazil, Germany, South Korea, and Australia, the level of competition was fierce, the routines electric. But even among such greatness, the Buckeyes stood singular—shining, soaring, and stunning in ways no one could have imagined.

Their theme? “Unbreakable.” Their mission? To make the world feel it.

And feel it, we did.

The energy in the arena shifted the moment Ohio State hit the mat. Drenched in scarlet and gray, the team unleashed a storm of synchronization, athleticism, creativity, and raw emotion. A blend of elite tumbling passes, gravity-defying stunts, and heartfelt choreography left judges speechless and competitors in awe. This wasn’t simply a performance—it was a proclamation.

“They didn’t just cheer,” said former Olympic gymnast and ESPN commentator Laurie Hernandez, “they told a story. They made us feel something deeper. That was world-class art.”

Ohio State scored a near-perfect 99.4, breaking the previous all-time championship score record of 98.9 set in 2019 by the University of Kentucky. Beyond the numbers, it was the reaction from the international crowd—roaring in standing ovation for over five full minutes—that confirmed what many had already begun whispering during prelims: this team was something extraordinary.

Social media exploded immediately. Clips from the performance lit up TikTok, Instagram Reels, and X (formerly Twitter). Within hours, “#GlobalQueens,” “#OhioStateCheer,” and “#CheerRoyalty” were trending in 14 countries. Celebrities from Simone Biles to Zendaya shared praise. Even LeBron James, a proud Ohio native, tweeted, “LEGENDS!!! 👑🔥 Way to represent the Buckeye spirit on the WORLD STAGE!!! #BuckeyePride”

So what made this team so undeniably dominant?

It starts with preparation. Head coach Brianna Templeton, in her sixth year at the helm, is known for demanding both perfection and purpose. “We train our athletes to be champions in body, mind, and message,” Templeton told ESPN in a post-victory interview. “This year, we knew we had something special. But to be No. 1 in the world? That’s a testament to their belief in each other.”

This belief was evident throughout the season. Despite battling injuries, academic pressures, and the heavy weight of expectations, the Buckeyes never wavered. Senior captain Janelle Brooks said it best: “Every setback was a setup. Every bruise reminded us that we were alive, that we were meant to rise.”

Brooks herself delivered one of the most iconic moments of the championship routine, executing a full-layout twist basket toss mid-sequence before landing into a flawless pyramid formation. It was grace and grit personified—and symbolic of the team’s season-long narrative.

From freshman phenom Kylie Navarro’s fearless aerials to veteran base Simone Daniels’ sheer power in keeping towering stunt structures unshaken, every member of the squad brought fire and finesse. But more than individual skill, it was their unity—their almost telepathic connection—that elevated them above the rest.

“We didn’t just train together,” said sophomore flyer Mila Hart. “We breathed together. We moved as one heartbeat.”

That heartbeat echoed around the globe.

In the days following their win, Ohio State Cheer has received invitations to perform at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, appear on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” and take part in a Netflix documentary series chronicling their rise to world champions. Brands from Nike to Red Bull have expressed interest in endorsement partnerships, while universities worldwide have requested joint clinics and cultural exchanges.

Closer to home, the Ohio State campus in Columbus erupted in celebration. A spontaneous rally drew thousands to the Oval, where the team returned from Tokyo to raucous cheers, hugs, and even tears. President Kristina M. Johnson declared July 13th as “Ohio State Cheer Day,” with a proclamation emphasizing their embodiment of “unrelenting excellence and the global spirit of the Buckeye family.”

What this moment means for the sport of cheerleading cannot be overstated. For decades, cheer has battled stereotypes and marginalization—seen by some as a sideline act rather than the demanding, acrobatic sport it truly is. With this world title and the attention that followed, Ohio State has not only won gold but cracked the global ceiling.

“This is about more than a trophy,” Coach Templeton reflected. “This is about respect. About representation. About every little girl and boy out there who dreams of flying—on the mat, in life.”

Indeed, the team’s motto this year—“Shine On”—was not just a slogan but a promise. And in every jump, twist, and chant, they delivered.

In one particularly emotional post-championship video, senior team member Kiara Jennings is seen holding back tears as she says, “We didn’t come here just to win. We came here to change the game. And we did.”

As the sun sets on this historic victory, one thing is clear: Ohio State Cheerleading is no longer just a collegiate team. They are a movement. An international symbol of passion, perseverance, and power.

They’re the Queens of the Mat. The Soul of the Sideline. The Standard of the Sky.

And as they shine, the world watches in wonder.

So here’s to the Buckeyes—who didn’t follow the waves.

They made one.

Shine on, sweet Ohio.

You’ve earned your crown. 🌍👑🔥