• Menu
  • Menu
  • Sports
  • Subscribe now
    Digital subscription Print subscription Subscribe to Newsletters
  • Logout
Digital subscription
Print subscription
Subscribe to Newsletters
Trending
UAE holidays 2022 UAE weekend change Golf in UAE MS Talks Year of the 50th
  • Latest News
  • UAE
    • Weekend change
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Government
    • Year of the 50th
      • News
      • UAE's Progress
      • Photos
      • Videos
      • People
      • Culture
      • Milestones
      • Future
    • Health
      • Why Worry
    • Transport
    • Science
    • Weather
    • Ask the Law
    • Games
    • Reader Complaint
    • UAE's Hope Probe
  • Living In UAE
    • Visa+Immigration
    • Housing
    • Phone+Internet
    • Banking
    • Transport
    • Health
    • Education
    • Relocate
    • Ask Us
    • Safety+Security
  • UAE Success Stories
  • Business
    • Banking
    • Aviation
    • Property
    • Energy
    • Analysis
    • Tourism
    • Markets
    • Retail
    • Corporate News
  • Best Buys
    • Electronics
    • Home and Kitchen
    • Offers
    • Consumables
    • Lifestyle
  • Your Money
    • Saving and Investment
    • Budget Living
    • Taxation
    • Expert Columns
    • Community Tips
    • Cryptocurrency
  • Food
    • Cooking and Cuisines
    • Guide to Cooking
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Sudoku
    • Word Search
    • Spell It
    • Play
  • Play Games
  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy & Baby
    • Learning & Play
    • Child Health
    • For Mums & Dads
    • Ask Us
    • Games
  • Discounts
  • Magical Dubai
    • Dubai Life
    • Live the Luxury
    • Culture and History
    • Adventure
    • Staying Connected
  • World
    • Gulf
      • Bahrain
      • Kuwait
      • Oman
      • Qatar
      • Saudi
      • Yemen
      • Games
    • Mena
    • Europe
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
      • India
      • Pakistan
      • Philippines
    • Oceania
    • Offbeat
    • Coronavirus
    • Infographics
    • Games
  • Special Reports
  • Photos
    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Readers' Photos
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Op-Eds
    • Letters
    • Off the Cuff
    • From the Editors
  • Sport
    • UAE Sport
    • Horse Racing
      • Dubai World Cup
    • Cricket
      • IPL
        • Chennai
        • Delhi
        • Punjab
        • Kolkata
        • Mumbai
        • Rajasthan
        • Bangalore
        • Hyderabad
        • Schedule
        • Live Scores
        • Point Table
        • Top Scorers
      • ICC
      • T20 World Cup 2021
        • Schedule
        • Live Scores
        • Point Table
        • Top Scorers
    • Motorsport
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Rugby
    • Golf in UAE
      • UAE
      • World
      • Photos & Videos
      • Course Reviews
      • Eagle Eye
      • Learn to Play
      • Gear
  • Entertainment
    • Hollywood
    • Bollywood
    • Pakistani Cinema
    • South Indian
    • Arab Celebs
    • Music
    • TV
    • Books
    • Theatre
    • Arts+Culture
  • Expo 2020
    • News
    • Photos
    • Pavilions
    • Visit the Expo
    • Experience the UAE
    • Entertainment
    • Videos
    • Buy tickets
  • Going Out
  • Auto
    • News
    • Test Drives
    • Car Culture
    • Auto Care
  • Lifestyle
    • Health+Fitness
    • Community
    • Fashion
  • GN Reach
  • Jobs
  • Tech
    • Electronics
    • Gaming
    • Media
  • Videos
    • How-To
    • Best Of Bollywood
    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Business
    • Sport
    • Community
    • Technology
  • Travel
  • GN Focus
    • Special Features
  • Ms Talks
  • The Kurator
    • Share
    • Dare
    • Flair
  • Bayat Chapters
  • Gold-Forex
  • Notifications
  • Gold/Forex
  • Prayer Times
  • Cinema Listing
  • Buy Expo Tickets
  • About Gulf News
  • Contact us
  • Work with us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Gulf News store
  • Advertise with us
  • Reach by GN
  • GN Focus
  • Gulf News epaper
  • Sitemap
  • Have your say
    • © Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2022. All rights reserved.
    Pompom girls: Japan seniors find joy in cheerleading

    Photos

    Login / Sign Up
    Logout
    Wednesday, January 19, 2022
    Gold / Forex

    Photos Sports

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Readers' Photos
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Sports
    All Sections

    Pompom girls: Japan seniors find joy in cheerleading

    They are currently rehearsing for their 25th-anniversary show, postponed until next year

    Published:  July 27, 2021 13:43 AFP
    1 of 10
    Japan Pom Pom gallery
    Tokyo: Cheering is frowned upon at the virus-postponed Olympics, but training continues at a Tokyo gym for an energetic squad of cheerleaders whose average age is 70. Image Credit: AFP
    2 of 10
    Japan Pom Pom gallery
    To the beat of Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off", Fumie Takino, 89, twirled and waved her pompoms as her fellow cheerleaders showed off their standing splits. Image Credit: AFP
    3 of 10
    Japan Pom Pom gallery
    "Members suffer from leg or back pain, but they're working hard," Takino, who founded the senior cheerleading squad "Japan Pom Pom" when she was 64 years old, told AFP. Image Credit: AFP
    4 of 10
    Japan Pom Pom gallery
    There is a strict selection process for members, who must be over 55, and have to pass an audition and three-month trial period. All applicants must also have "self-proclaimed good looks", the squad stipulates. Image Credit: AFP
    5 of 10
    Japan Pom Pom gallery
    They are currently rehearsing for their 25th-anniversary show, which was postponed until next year because of the pandemic. Image Credit: AFP
    6 of 10
    Japan Pom Pom gallery
    Takino said it was once difficult to share her hobby with others, who didn't see the appeal of senior cheerleading at first. "I couldn't say I was doing cheerleading... I struggled a lot." Image Credit: AFP
    7 of 10
    Japan Pom Pom gallery
    Their original sparkly costumes with a mini-skirt weren't so popular either, she recalls. But as the squad became better known and attracted the attention of local media, views about them changed, Takino said. "There are many other groups like us... I think (senior cheerleading) has started to be widely accepted." Image Credit: AFP
    8 of 10
    Japan Pom Pom gallery
    Japan has the world's oldest population, with around 28 percent of the population aged 65 or over, according to the government. Image Credit: AFP
    9 of 10
    Japan Pom Pom gallery
    Cheerleading is a fun way to stay fit for the "Japan Pom Pom" girls, who get together once a week for a rigorous two-hour practice with almost no break. Image Credit: AFP
    10 of 10
    Japan Pom Pom gallery
    Masako Matsuoka, a 73-year-old member of the squad, said the activity is her "ikigai" - Japanese for purpose in life. "It's fun to do something different in your everyday life," she explained. Image Credit: AFP

    Trending

    • Joss Whedon and Gal Gadot controversy explained

      Joss Whedon and Gal Gadot controversy explained

    • 12 big celebrity breakups from Hollywood, Bollywood

      12 big celebrity breakups from Hollywood, Bollywood

    • 9 skills: These will help you win in post-COVID world

      9 skills: These will help you win in post-COVID world

    • Photos: Saudis enjoy snow at Jabal Al Lawz in Tabuk

      Photos: Saudis enjoy snow at Jabal Al Lawz in Tabuk

    Latest In

    • DAE completes placement of 14 737 MAX aircraft

      4 minutes ago

    • Actor Fardeen Khan tests positive for COVID-19

      7 minutes ago

    • Most popular online courses among UAE learners

      20 minutes ago

    • New Zealand’s white ball series in Australia postponed

      28 minutes ago

    • Pregnant woman, daughter die in Sharjah road accident

      32 minutes ago
    Go back to top
    Network links:
    • Baby & Child
    • Friday
    • Inside Out
    • Watch Time
    • Wheels
    • getthat
    • GN Tech
    • Jobs
    • About Gulf News
    • Contact us
    • Work with us
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Gulf News store
    • Advertise with us
    • Reach by GN
    • GN Focus
    • Gulf News epaper
    • Sitemap
    • Have your say
    Find us on Social
    © Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2022. All rights reserved.
    This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.
    Share on Facebook
    Share on Twitter
    Share on Whatsapp
    Share on Mail
    Share on LinkedIn
    Close
    Gulf News

    Get Breaking News Alerts From Gulf News

    We’ll send you latest news updates through the day. You can manage them any time by clicking on the notification icon.

    Subscribe No Thanks
    Continue reading Gulf News
    Dear Reader, please register to read gulfnews.com

    Dear Reader,

    This section is about Living in UAE and essential information you cannot live without.

    Register to read and get full access to gulfnews.com

    Create your account
    or login if you already have one
    First name is required.
    Last name is required.
    Please enter a valid email address.
    Password should have minimum 7 characters with at least one letter and number
    Passwords do not match

    By clicking below to sign up, you're agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

    Login your account
    New to Gulf News? Sign up now
    Please enter your email address.
    Please enter your password.

    Forgot password

    or