Brianna Middleton knew basketball wasn’t a sport for her, despite a family with a basketball background, but she became passionate about baton twirling after a neighbour introduced her to the sport.
The Moncton native has been training and practicing the sport that combines dance and gymnastics for over 17 years and has competed internationally six times, including at the Trans Canadian Team event at the 2024 Team Trial held in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Now that all that hard work has paid off, Middleton will travel to Helsingborg, Sweden, this week to represent Canada at this year’s World Freestyle & Rhythmic Twirl Championships.
“Your training and the way you approach it is always different because you have that goal in mind, so once I qualify, it definitely gives me so much gratitude,” said Middleton.
The sport can be seen in national and international competitions but has never been classified as an Olympic sport. Despite that, Middleton hopes to represent the country at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
“Every world championship we have is just one step closer, and I think it’s such a great thing for the sport, and I would love to see it there at the Olympics,” added Middleton.
Middleton will compete in the senior women’s freestyle. Nine other Canadians will join her at the championships, which run from Aug. 1 to 11.
