1992 Suzuki World Cup - aerobics competitions

American Fitness, July-August, 1992

The 1992 Suzuki World- Cup winners represented a United Nations of aerobic talent. Organized by the International Aerobic Federation (IAF), the Suzuki showdown was hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Sendagaya, Japan. Over 2,000 people attended the two-day event last April.

The host of competing nations almost doubled in size since the Suzuki World Cup premiered in 1990. The 27 countries represented included Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cook Islands, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States and Westem Samoa.

The 91 participating athletes competed in three divisions-men's individuals, women's individuals and mixed pairs. Top place in individuals went to Marcos Irwin, an instructor from Australia, and Marosa Garcia-Planas of Spain, an instructor and mother. The pairs division title went to Kiyofumi and Masuyo Yamamoto of Japan - a husband and wife team, who are both P.E. instructors.

The United States championship team was represented by Theresa McCabe, who placed second in women's individuals, Sue Dale and Michael Morton, who placed sixth in mixed pairs, and Brett Kelly, who took seventh place in men's individuals.

Competitors' routines were scored on the basis of strength, flexibility, rhythm, technique and showmanship. In addition, pairs were judged on synchronization and partnership. The two-minute freestyle routines were Odged by an international panel of 13 IAF officials headed by Marti Steele West, AFAA'S senior vice president of education and business director of the IAF. Each routine was followed by an instant replay and point totals televised on the arena's electronic scoreboard.

Event activities included the Suzuki World Cup's Memorial Open Exercise. Led by three of Japan's top instructors, more than 300 aerobic enthusiasts participated in the 45-minute aerobics session. The Mizuno Corporation also sponsored a fitnesswear fashion show at the competition.

The Tone Aerobics and Fitness Challenge, directed by AFAA, is the only qualifying competition recognized by the IAF in the United States. The challenge takes place in seven U.S. regional markets and continues through the national finals in October where the 1993 Suzuki World Cup competitors win be determined. For more information on how you can become involved in competitive aerobics on national and international levels, contact the AFAA special events department at (800) 446-AFAA.

And the winners are...

MEN'S DIVISION

1st Place: Marcus Irwin, Australia 2nd Place: Ken-ichiro Nomura, Japan 3rd Place: Brett Fairweather, New Zealand 4th Place: Tsutomu Itokawa, Japan 5th Place: Mark Flannigan, United Kingdom 6th Place: Marcio Oliveira, Brazil

WOMEN'S DIVISION

1st Place: Marosa Garcia-Planas, Spain 2nd Place: Theresa McCabe, United States 3rd Place: Marie Schwarts, Sweden 4th Place: Junko Fukunaga, Japan 5th Place: Chie Miyoshi, Japan 6th Place: Arlene Thomas, New Zealand

MIXED PAIRS DIVISION

1st Place: Kiyofumi and Masuyo Yamamoto, Japan 2nd Place: Chris Kemp and Lisa Osborne, Australia 3rd Place: Jordi Bertran nd Susi Salvana, Spain 4th Place: Ken-ichiro Nomura and Chie Miyoshi, Japan 5th Place: Kane Harnett nd Leah Fletcher, New Zealand 6th Place: Michael Morton and Sue Dale, United States