On Tuesday, November 3 (a national holiday), the junior and senior high school members of our Baton Twirling Club participated in the "48th Kansai Baton Twirling Championships," held at YMIT Arena in Shiga Prefecture. Both the junior and senior high school teams won Gold Awards and finished second in their respective divisions at the Kansai Championships, securing places at the National Championships.

The junior high school team performed a routine inspired by "Medusa," a figure from Greek mythology. Through powerful movements and perfectly synchronized formations, they drew the audience into the mysterious world of Medusa's story.

The senior high school team presented a performance themed "Van Gogh: Emotions Entrusted to Sunflowers, Beyond the Starry Night." Through baton twirling, they expressed the passion, inner struggles, and emotions that the painter Vincent van Gogh poured into his works. Their flawless, beautifully synchronized performance captivated the audience.

Although both teams still have areas to improve, we believe their performances conveyed the emotions behind their routines and the joy of artistic expression, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

On the day before the competition, the teams also performed at school, where many teachers and students gathered to show their support. The warm applause and encouragement they received provided tremendous motivation for our club members. We sincerely thank everyone for their support.

The National Championships mark the beginning of another new challenge. Building on the confidence gained from this experience, while also working diligently to address the areas that need improvement, all club members will continue practicing hard to deliver even more polished performances on the national stage.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the parents, coaches, and everyone who continually supports our activities. We sincerely appreciate your continued encouragement and support for the Ritsumeikan Uji Baton Twirling Club.