ORLANDO, FLORIDA — In a moment that will be etched in the annals of cheerleading and collegiate sports history, the Ohio State Buckeyes Cheerleading Squad has been officially crowned World’s Best at the 2025 International Cheer Union (ICU) World Cheerleading Championship — an achievement that sent shockwaves through the global stage and ignited celebration across the Buckeye Nation.
Their final performance — a precise, powerful, and emotionally-charged routine — earned a perfect score from a stunned panel of international judges, leaving audiences in tears and rivals in awe.
> “We’ve never seen anything like it,” said ICU head judge Maria Alvarez. “From the formations to the stunts, the athleticism, and the storytelling — the Ohio State squad didn’t just perform. They told a story, and the world felt every beat of it.”
A ROUTINE FOR THE AGES
The team’s final performance, choreographed to a powerful orchestral remix of “Hall of Fame” by The Script, was a six-minute masterclass in synchronization, strength, and spirit. It opened with a flawless triple pyramid stunt, followed by mid-air basket tosses that drew gasps from the crowd, and closed with a dramatic human flag formation spelling out “BUCKEYES.”
The entire arena — packed with thousands from over 70 nations — rose for a minutes-long standing ovation. Social media erupted in real-time, with the hashtag #BuckeyeLegends trending worldwide within 20 minutes.
AN UNDERDOG STORY TURNED GLOBAL GLORY
While the Buckeyes have always been respected on the national stage, few anticipated they would dominate a global championship in such commanding fashion. Months of training, 4:00 AM practices, and relentless discipline were poured into this moment.
Head Coach Lena McKenzie, who took over the program just three years ago, was overwhelmed with emotion as the team stood atop the podium.
> “We didn’t come here to impress the world. We came here to show the world who we are,” McKenzie said. “These athletes gave everything — heart, soul, sweat, and sacrifice. Today, the world answered back.”
GLOBAL REACTIONS POUR IN
As footage of the performance made its way across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube — with one clip amassing over 40 million views in 24 hours — praise came from every corner of the globe:
Olympic gymnast Simone Biles tweeted, “That OSU cheer squad? That’s Olympic-level talent. Unreal.”
The University of Tokyo Cheer Squad posted a tribute video calling the Buckeyes “the new gold standard.”
Even ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt said on-air, “What the Buckeyes did today will be studied by cheer programs for generations.”
BEYOND THE TITLE — A MOVEMENT
In a bold move, the ICU announced that the Ohio State performance will be included in training curriculum and certification workshops globally, calling it a “blueprint of modern cheerleading.”Back in Columbus
