World Champion hula hooper in a spin over win
Sporting competitions across the globe have been opening up in the last few weeks, but there was one competitive discipline that held its World Championship online during the lockdown and a Cavan entrant secured a top spot.
Globe Fit are the founders of the UK and World Hula Hoop Championships. With the world coming to terms with the COVID-19 pandemic, the first event of its kind took place on April 6, 2020, at Fareham College in Hampshire (England), although the results weren't announced until recently.
Organised by Globe Fit's Hannah Murphy and Play Tone's Obie Pearl, the competition was open to hoopers of all ages and abilities worldwide. The 2020 event was hosted online via the organiser's social media channel. The winner of the 18-40 Intermediate/Advanced Category was Cavan hooper Nicole Beck.
Nicole was elated with the announcement at the start of August that she secured the top spot in her category: “It's a competition for hula hoopers all around the world. It's a really great competition. There are a range of categories, with divisions based on age and ability. There are from U12 to over 40s. The range of categories is great, because everyone will find a level that they can compete at.”
In the citation the judges described Nicole's winning performance as “quirky and fun”. Nicole says she has been engaged in the hobby for a number of years now: “I am a member of a Facebook page called Irish Hoopers that is a contact point for hula hoopers around Ireland. It has lots of news about hula hooping, videos and tips. People use it to meet other hulla hoopers and go for a jam. Someone put up the details of the World Hula Hoop Championships and the fact that it was online, because of the restrictions.”
Nicole sent in her entry: “Because they were taking video submissions, I was able to enter. Realistically I would not have been able to travel to England to take part in the competition if it was held in the traditional way.”
Nicole says that videoing the performance was challenging but it only took her three takes: “It was a bit weird. I really, really, really react to an audience. They add a certain gusto to the performance.”
As the now reigning world champion in the 18 - 40 Intermediate/Advanced Category, Nicole is looking forward to defending her title in 2021: “The news of my win came by email. I'm not sure what the plans are for next year. It may be online again, but if it is a live one I would like to go to it.”