Pompoms and Nunchucks: Cheerleading With Chinese Characteristics

BEIJING, July 21, 2008 -- Li Xue cheers with pompoms and megaphones. She can also dance with nun chucks and silk fans . The quintessentially American sport of cheerleading has arrived in China — and Li is high-kicking her way straight to Olympic glory.

Less than a decade ago, cheerleading did not even exist in China. But next month, it will take center stage at one of the most newsworthy Olympics in recent memory.

Inspired by the National Basketball Association, the Chinese Basketball Association replaced amateur dancers with professional cheerleaders to entertain crowds starting in 2002. As with many new phenomena in China, cheerleading began growing exponentially.

When Li Xue began cheering six years ago, the concept of cheerleading was almost entirely unknown in China.

"I saw a bulletin at my university advertising the selection of a national cheerleading team," Li explained to ABC News. "At the time, I wasn't sure what cheerleading was. But I liked to dance and watch basketball so I went to try out. I really had no idea because in China, there was no culture for this."

Li, 24, not only made the national team, but is one of the pioneers of Chinese cheerleading, becoming captain of one of the premier teams in Beijing.

Today, from the capitol of Beijing, to the far-flung deserts of Xinjiang Province, thousands of cheerleading squads have popped up on the sidelines of sports events. The cheerleaders aren't just dancers either. Students, investment bankers, teachers, and former flight attendants make up the cheerleading squads. In August, 600 volunteer cheerleaders, chosen through a competitive selection process, will take their biggest stage yet at the Beijing Olympics.

Go China Go!

To prepare and polish China's Olympic cheerleaders in time for the games, the local organizing committee brought in the experts: the New England Patriots cheerleading squad.

Patriots director of cheerleading Tracy Sormanti knows a world stage when she sees one. Having been a part of three Super Bowl Championships with the Patriots, she believes the Beijing Olympics is a golden opportunity for China's cheerleaders.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Perform with all of your heart and realize how lucky [you] are. Don't take it for granted," Sormanti told cheerleaders in Beijing two weeks ago.

With the Olympic spirit in mind, the Patriots and Chinese cheerleaders spent more than a week together training for up to four hours per day.Energetic and eager to learn, the Chinese teams picked up new routines as if they had been cheering their entire lives, surprising the Patriots cheerleaders and coaches.

"I honestly didn't know they had only been cheering for six years," says Leah Vandale, a veteran Patriots cheerleader.

"If they were in the U.S. in a cheer competition or dance class, I don't think anyone could tell they came from China," says Lindsay Barrows, a Patriots cheerleader who has been with the squad for two years. "They had the ability to match our moves."

At the same time, the Chinese cheerleaders see plenty of room for improvement. Yang Xue, a 20-year-old basketball cheerleader from Shandong Province, agrees.

"The Patriots cheerleaders have so much spirit and enthusiasm. We're working on matching their level," Yang told ABC News between routines.

A Grand Vision for Cheerleading

As China's cheerleaders aim to meet international cheering standards and emulate the Patriots, they are crafting an art of their own as well.

Soojin Cho, hailed as the "cheerleader of Chinese cheerleading," is the president of the Soojin Dance Team, China's premier cheerleading squad. A South Korean who immigrated to Beijing in the early 1990s, Cho has a vision for cheerleading in China that goes far beyond American-inspired pompoms and miniskirts.

"In our performances [for the Olympics], we are combining various different cultures," Cho says.

At her penthouse studio overlooking downtown Beijing, the din of chattering cheerleaders swells to a roar. She yells "quiet!" to the gaggle of twenty-something students and Li, the team captain, begins leading the warm-up. Cho's team practices with traditional Chinese silk fans and nunchucks while wearing outfits inspired by the qipao, a one-piece dress popularized by Manchu women in the Qing dynasty.

"We began implementing Chinese culture in our dances three years ago, like remixed traditional music, a terracotta warriors theme, and even small Chinese rattle drums," Cho told ABC News.

"We have a special style about us and I imagine American audiences would love it. The Patriots cheerleaders did."

Beyond the music, Cho hopes to instill fair and healthy principles in her cheerleaders. Watching them leap across the floor, she says, "I want the environment here to be one where women can feel respected."

Growing up in a Korean culture that prized well-behaved wives, Cho believes she can help young Chinese women find their way as individuals.

"I hope that being on a Chinese cheerleading team means equality and opportunity. Whoever works hard and performs well can be a cheerleader," Cho explained. "It's not about perfect women or big chests or tiny waists … I hope that cheerleading can help Chinese women find themselves."

"I hope forty and fifty year old women can go out there and cheer, too. Even if you're missing an arm, I want them to know they can cheer too."

Cheerleading in China seems like a permanent fixture in athletics.Nicholas Krippendorf, director of Chinese business development for the New England Patriots, views the Olympics as both a foundation and launching pad for cheerleading.

"There's this rising tide of a sports industry and this will encourage people to search for a variety of different sports activities," he says. "With all the new facilities, people will have places to play.

"Just like people's standards for cars, clothes and food have increased, their standards for sports and variety of sports will increase."

Olympic Glory

Next month, team captain Li Xue and Soochin Cho's team will cheer at the two of the most popular events in China: basketball and beach volleyball.

Sun Zheng, 21, who is going into her senior year of college, will be cheering on teams from around the world at beach volleyball matches.

"Our job is to cheer on every team. But if there's an opportunity, I hope we can cheer on China," Sun told ABC News.

"People often say the entire country will attend the Olympics, but the chance to actually be in the Olympics is very special. It makes me proud."

The rapid rise of Chinese cheerleading doesn't mean fans will be allowed to let loose at Olympic competitions. Last week, the organizing committee issued a statement prohibiting fans from bringing banners such as those that read "Go USA!" into Olympic venues. The committee stated that banners violate the fairness principle of Olympic events. Cameras and umbrellas will also not be allowed.

But the cheerleaders will try to make up for the strict rules by wowing the crowds with their moves and spirit with hopes that they'll make a lasting impression.

Li, who will lead the cheers at Olympic basketball games, says, "I hope that in the future when Chinese people attend an athletic match, it'd be weird not to have us out there cheering."