| SGCS celebrates the incredible achievements of our students and alumni at the 2025 International Jump Rope Union (IJRU) World Jump Rope Championships held in Kawasaki, Japan. A team of 10 students and four alumni represented Australia on the world stage, competing across multiple events and age groups. Their dedication, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm were evident throughout the event. SGCS Athlete Highlights Double Dutch Pair Freestyle Female 12–15: Ava S, Demi T, Georgia T, Martina D – Rank 5 Female 19+: Jacqueline M, Laura M, Rebekah N, Serena M – Rank 3 Double Dutch Speed Relay Female 19+: Jacqueline M, Laura M, Rebekah N, Serena M – Rank 5 Wheel Pair Freestyle Mixed 16–18: Laura M, Jesse M – Rank 5 Single Rope Speed Relay Female 19+: Serena M – Rank 4 Single Rope Team Freestyle Mixed 12–15: Kaden D – Rank 5 Reflections from the SGCS Community David and Ann Madden (parents of Jesse and alumni sibling Laura) shared: “Families from St George enjoyed supporting our athletes at the competition venue each day and watching entertaining routines from all around the world, sharing sightseeing tips and exploring Tokyo, and having some authentic delicious Japanese meals together. It was great to get to know the other families and siblings better.” They also praised the resilience of the SGCS athletes: “It was so hot—up to 35°C most days with high humidity. Some training venues were not air-conditioned, the warm-up area was hot and crowded, and athletes had to move between two competition floors on different levels. Some had up to nine events in two days, others had multiple events spread across several days.They showed maturity, team spirit, and good sportsmanship. They performed so well under difficult conditions, achieving personal bests, clean routines, and even won some medals!” David and Ann also acknowledged the leadership of Head Coach, Mrs Karen Binns, saying: “Karen did an amazing job managing the many aspects of the St George Skipping team in Japan.” Sophie Koh (mother of Ayden), shared her reflections: “Skipping is such a unique and challenging sport—it combines speed, endurance, gymnastics, and creativity. It’s been amazing to see our children grow in their passion and toil to achieve their goals. This championship is truly a unique experience for Ayden. He is able to get to know other athletes from other countries through practising together and pintrading!” The practice of trading pins with athletes from around the world was a highlight for Ayden, who gained quite a collection. Mrs Koh also noted that Ayden was thrilled to discover he had broken the Australian record for 12-15 Male 2×30 Double Under Relay alongside his teammate, a moment of joy and pride that capped off an extraordinary journey. Adding to the unforgettable nature of the trip, the SGCS group experienced a surreal moment when a tsunami warning siren blasted through Kawasaki City, following an earthquake in Russia. Guided calmly by well-prepared locals, the team felt safe and supported. We thank God for His protection and for keeping everyone safe during what could have been a frightening situation. We commend all our participants for their outstanding representation and look forward to supporting future athletes as they pursue excellence in this dynamic and inspiring sport. To see all the results and highlights, visit the IJRU Results Portal. |
