Focus on the BIG picture.
Friday, May 09, 2025

Brisbane Twins to Compete in 2025 World Jump Rope Championships in Japan

Grace and Sophia Thao will join over 4,000 participants representing Australia at the event in Kawasaki.
Grace and Sophia Thao, 12-year-old twins from Brisbane, are set to represent Australia at the 2025 World Jump Rope Championships in Kawasaki, Japan, scheduled for July.

They will be part of a contingent of 141 Australian athletes, known as the Ropearoos, who are expected to compete alongside over 4,000 participants from more than 30 countries.

The twins, of Hmong descent, recently joined their local jump rope club, Crestmead Super Sonics, in 2023, where they have practiced diligently, participating in various events including speed relay and freestyle.

"Jump roping is fun; it helps us stay healthy and enjoy sport," Sophia stated.

The competition marks their first appearance at a world-level event.

Jump rope has evolved beyond a simple recreational activity into a competitive sport internationally.

Athletes at these championships compete across various categories, including freestyle, single and double Dutch speed skipping, and team events.

Claire George, head of the Australian delegation and representative of Skipping Australia, expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform well, noting that the championships will also include the Junior World Championships and International Open Tournament being held concurrently.

George highlighted the accessibility of the sport, stating that jump rope can be enjoyed by individuals across all fitness levels.

However, she pointed out that participation varies by region, with some states such as South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania lacking representation.

The Crestmead Super Sonics, led by president and coach Cherie Duffy, have sent eight athletes to join the Ropearoos team, marking a significant milestone for the club, which was established as part of a community initiative five years ago.

Duffy emphasized the importance of self-belief in her athletes, sharing that the sport provides lessons beyond physical skills.

Australia has a strong track record in international jump rope, having secured 52 medals, including 15 gold, at the 2023 World Championships held in the United States.

Although Australia is recognized as a leading nation in the sport, George noted the competitive landscape posed by countries such as Hong Kong, Japan, Belgium, China, and the United States.

There is a concerted effort spearheaded by the International Jump Rope Union to have the sport included in the Olympic program, with the 2032 Brisbane Games being a target for potential inclusion.

Despite some state government funding support, securing national infrastructure funding remains a challenge for promoting growth in the sport.

As the twins prepare for their upcoming championship, they also aspire to inspire other members of their Hmong community.

Their mother, Maisy Thao, supports their ambitions while balancing their educational commitments.

She stressed the importance of parental encouragement in nurturing their interests, asserting that sacrifices made for their sporting pursuits are worthwhile regardless of the outcomes at the championship.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Historic Papal Conclave Set to Commence in Rome
Huge Copper, Gold, and Silver Discovery in Argentina and Chile — But the Profits Go Abroad
The Road to Freedom: She Protested Putin, Escaped House Arrest, and Survived a 2,800-Kilometer Journey
Prince Harry is pleading for reconciliation — but the royals are just as sick of his victimhood as everyone else
OpenAI's Flip-Flop: No Longer Going Commercial, Back to Nonprofit, After Musk Lawsuit and Backlash
First From China: Zhao Xintong Wins the Snooker World Championship
Nvidia Faces Billion-Dollar Losses – Warns: China Is on Its Way to Becoming an AI Superpower
Trump Rules Out Third Term, Names JD Vance and Marco Rubio as Potential Successors
Mexico Says ‘No’ to U.S. Troops: President Sheinbaum Rejects Trump’s Offer to Fight Cartels
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK Storms the Map, Wrecking the Two-Party Monopoly
DOGE: Reimagining Government Operations with AI
EU Hits TikTok with €530 Million Fine Over China Data Transfers
Beijing Says U.S. Is ‘Reaching Out’ for Tariff Talks Amid Soaring Trade Tensions
U.K. Court Rejects Prince Harry’s Final Appeal Over Police Security
Warren Buffett to Step Down as Berkshire CEO After Nearly 60 Years
Prince Harry’s Heartfelt Outburst Rocks the Royal Family
Trump Shares AI-Generated Image of Himself as… Pope, Prompting Outrage Reaction
Transgender Swimmer Secures Five Gold Medals at U.S. Masters Championship
Prince Harry: “I Want Reconciliation with My Family”
Germany's Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has now been officially labeled “right-wing extremist” by the federal office for the so-called “protection of the constitution.”
Amazon Launches Satellite Internet Service Amidst Competition with SpaceX
Transformative Changes in Women's Wrestling: The Rise of WWE Superstars
The Rush to the White Gold: Global Investment Surge in Natural Hydrogen Exploration
This is a day in Spain without electricity and internet
180-Year-Old Christian University in South Carolina Announces Closure Due to Unmet $6 Million Fundraising Goal
Brazilian Woman Jailed for Fourteen Years for Writing “You Lost, Idiot” on Statue During Protest
Trump Administration Removes National Security Adviser Mike Waltz Amid Signal Chat Controversy
Huawei Ramps Up Testing of Powerful New AI Chip in Challenge to Nvidia Amid U.S. Sanctions
Dutch Politician Eva Vlaardingerbroek Receives Spyware Threat Alert from Apple
Paramount Board Considers Settlement in Trump’s $20 Billion Lawsuit Over "60 Minutes" Interview
U.S. Economy Shrink in Trump’s First Quarter as Tariff Policy Raises Questions
U.S. and Ukraine Poised to Sign Strategic Critical Minerals Deal Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Sweden Grapples with Deadly Gun Violence: Suspect Arrested After Three Young Men Killed in Uppsala Hair Salon
Walz Reveals Why Harris Chose Him as Her Running Mate and Reflects on Democratic Losses
Spain Restores Power After Unprecedented Nationwide Blackout
Carney Secures Liberal Mandate in Canada’s Federal Election
Death Penalty Sought as Luigi Manion Pleads Not Guilty in CEO Murder Case
President Trump contacts Jeff Bezos after reports of Amazon considering listing tariff surcharges; company clarifies no such plan for main platform
Spain and Portugal Recover from Massive Blackout
Liverpool Clinches Record-Equalling 20th English League Title Under Arne Slot
Massive Raid on Underground Nightclub in Colorado Springs Yields Over 100 Arrests
Singapore Politicians Warn Against Foreign Interference in Election
Driver Ploughs into Vancouver Festival Crowd, Killing Nine
Depression, Fear of Defamation, and a Tragic End: New Details on Virginia Giuffre’s Suicide
“Sharia for UK, Allah Akbar!”
China Warns Nations Against Trade Deals Harmful to Its Interests
Malaysia Revises Growth Outlook Amid US Trade Talks
Massive Explosion at Iran's Bandar Abbas Port Linked to Suspicious Chemical Shipments
Wild Courtroom Chaos: FBI Arrests Milwaukee Judge for Helping Illegal Immigrant Flee from ICE Agents!
Pakistani migrants to Danish man: “ “We have 5 children while you have 1 or 2. In 10 years, there will be more Pakistanis than Danes here.“
×