It was a busy weekend for the International Cheer Union (ICU) as their season came to an incredible end at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. The 2018 ICU World Championships hosted more Junior divisions than ever, and 80 different nations brought routines with the goal of a podium finish.

The weekend kicked off with an opening ceremony at the new ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Arena and a festive culture exchange, bringing the cheerleaders, dancers, and coaches together before taking the competition floor. The president and founder of the ICU, Jeff Webb, addressed the crowd and deemed the championship underway as athletes representing the countries attending the event took the stage.

WOW! What an incredible day! Special Abilities Unified is bringing back a Gold medal while ParaCheer, ParaCheer Hip Hop and Special Abilities Traditional, are bringing back Silver! #USAcheer #icuworlds2018 ?? pic.twitter.com/dHzTM0LSEy

— USA Cheer (@usacheer) April 27, 2018

Respect, sportsmanship, and camaraderie were mentioned several times throughout the championship, and the athletes and coaches in attendance lived up to the expectation. The competition grows every year as cheer and dance progresses in skill and technique; this year there were almost 20 cheer and dance divisions!

By the end of closing ceremonies on Friday evening, the United States had secured six gold, five silver, and one bronze medal. The Premier Coed Team brought home the three-peat— keeping their winning streak alive after falling short of the gold in 2015. Another crowd favorite, the All Girl U.S. National Team, took second to Finland for the first time in competition history.
(Click here for full results)

There are 116 member countries in the ICU organization and, once teams return home, it's time to start training for another showing at the next World Championships. Mark your calendar for the 2019 ICU World Championships, April 24-26!

Can't get enough of the competition? Find out what it's like to train and compete like the Coed US National Team in the Varsity TV documentary series Going For Gold!