Mili and Romi, a pair of young Israeli athletes, stormed into the finals of the ICU European Performance Cheer Doubles Championships in Heraklion, Crete, a result that rewrites what the country can expect from competitive cheerleading.
The duo competed in the Youth Pom Doubles class. They finished among the top 10 from an original field of 31 pairs representing nations across Europe. That alone marks a breakthrough for a country still building its cheerleading infrastructure.
The significance goes deeper. This event represented Israel’s first-ever appearance at the championships since authorities formally recognized cheerleading as a sport. The Israeli Cheerleading Union now operates as the national governing body, a status it secured only this year.
More than 1,100 athletes from 24 countries gathered for the competition. Israel sent four pairs total, split across youth and senior divisions.
Years of organizing, athlete development, and competition framework construction preceded this moment. The sport demands a blend of athleticism, strength, flexibility, precision, coordination, and teamwork. Its footprint in Israel continues to widen.
“This is an exciting and meaningful moment for all of us,” said Dr. Lyudmila Yasinska-Demri, founder and professional director of the Israeli Cheerleading Union.
She noted the organization earned official recognition in the same year it reached a European final for the first time. Mili and Romi’s performance, she said, proves Israel produces athletes capable of competing at Europe’s highest levels.
The final appearance signals early success for the newly recognized union. Its leaders now aim to develop the next wave of talent and lock in Israel’s standing on the international cheerleading stage. Expect more Israeli pairs to chase podium finishes as the program matures.
