Clubs & Circles :: Hosei University Cheerleading Team GRANDS

I am involved in cheerleading as a competitive sport," says Ms. Miyazaki. Many GRANDS members have been active in the cheerleading club since high school, and many of them have experience in cheerleading. Miyazaki says with a smile, "The appeal of GRANDS is the atmosphere of cheerful enjoyment of cheerleading, regardless of whether you are an experienced cheerleader, a beginner, or in the same grade as the other cheerleaders.

In cheerleading, roles are divided by position. There is the "top," which stands at the top of the tower; the "endurance" and "base," which serve as the foundation on which people ride and support them; the "middle," which enters the second tier with big moves like the three-tier tower; and the "spot," which assists the base and serves as the overall command post. Each of them fulfills their roles and works on the techniques in unison with each other.

Mr. Tamura, who is in charge of the top, says, "I am a beginner who started at university, so I had a hard time at first. Even after practicing many times, I could not get on top of people properly, and sometimes I cried in frustration. But the people around me cheered me on all the way, and when I was able to perform satisfactorily for the first time, I was filled with emotion," he recalls.

Tajimi, who is in charge of "endurance" and "base," says, "At first I felt gravity, but now I am used to it and don't feel the weight so much. I am happy when people say they feel as if they are on the ground," she says with a sense of dependability.

In addition to performing on stage at university festivals and participating in corporate and community events, the team is also making an effort to participate in competitions. In August, the team competed in the "JAPANCUP 2019 Japan Championship Tournament" ("National Tournament"), which attracts strong teams from all over Japan. Muramatsu, who has been fascinated by cheerleading since junior high school, said, "At the national competition, I was so excited before the show that I was surprised at how easy I was able to move my body. I think I was able to give a more fulfilling performance than at any other competition I have ever participated in," he recalls.

I think I was more fulfilled in my performance than at any other competition I have ever participated in," she said, recalling the excitement she felt. Cheerleading requires trust and unity of feeling. Since there are no outside instructors, the club members teach each other and freely share their opinions," says Tsubouchi, the club's representative.
Everyone nodded vigorously in agreement as he spoke of the club's goal of "making consecutive appearances at the national tournament this year.

(First published in the April 2020 issue of the public relations magazine "Hosei")