THE steady rise of aerial silks as a competitive sport in the Philippines continues to gain momentum, driven by the emergence of local tournaments such as the Coach A Cup, organized by Filipino aerial silks athlete Janice Velasco-Gruenberg.
Velasco-Gruenberg recently brought international recognition to the country after winning a gold medal at the Pole Sports & Arts World Federation (POSA) Aerial Sport World Championship held last year in Budapest, Hungary.
What began as a modest competition with only seven athletes in 2023 has since grown into a major showcase of the sport, featuring aerialists from various backgrounds—including men, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community—all demonstrating exceptional flexibility, strength, and competitive drive.
. This year’s Coach A Cup attracted over 30 athletes from different parts of the country, with participants coming from as far north as La Union and as far south as Davao.
The event also welcomed international competitors from the United States, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam.
The competition was held on February 1 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of RCBC Plaza in Makati City, underscoring the sport’s expanding reach and growing following both locally and across the region.
“It’s altogether like a circus act. There’s art and dance involved, but it’s also very much a sport. I really see it as a sport. When we established the Coach A Cup, our vision was to focus on the sporting aspect,” Velasco-Gruenberg said.
Since its inception during the COVID-19 pandemic, Velasco-Gruenberg said her goal has been to create opportunities for Filipino aerial silks athletes to showcase their skills on a larger and more competitive platform.
“Aerial silks is my passion, which I started learning in 2018. Before, it was mostly recitals, and eventually the competitive side of the sport grew. The pandemic became a challenge, and many of my aerial friends wanted to experience a live competition. So in 2023, when restrictions were lifted, I hosted a competition at my house. Coach A Cup was named after my husband, Coach Allan, who serves as my trainer and spotter and has been very supportive,” she added.
Velasco-Gruenberg believes aerial silks has strong potential to become a medal-producing sport for the Philippines in both local and international competitions.
“I feel like Filipinos are well-suited for this sport. Naturally, we’re agile and we have a sense of grace. In some sports, height gives you an advantage, but in aerial silks, regardless of your height, you can compete. That’s why I think Filipinos really have a strong chance to win medals in international competitions,” she concluded.
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