The IJRU Athlete Council elections will take place from July 1, 2021 to July 12, 2021. If you register to vote by the end of day on June 7, 2021, you will receive an email with a link where you can cast your vote. You must register to vote in order to participate in the election
Meet the candidates
Get to know the candidates for the upcoming IJRU Athlete Council elections. We asked each candidate a few questions to help you get to know them and so that you can make an informed decision when voting.
Anne Jeline C. Salandanan, Phillipines Jump Rope Association
Why do you want to be a member of the IJRU Athlete Council?
Being part of the IJRU Athlete has been my greatest dream the moment I joined jump rope community. It’s really not the position or popularity I might gain because of this nonetheless I just want to embrace my beloved sport. I want to make our community substantial, the same time I want to amplify change in humanity. To set one’s heart in breaking the childish stigma of considering it as a mere fun activity when in fact it is a serious fitness tool or key. Additionally, if I were to go back to the same question of what does jump rope really foretells, this is the time where I’ll let my heart speak of what I want to convey is that “jump rope isn’t just a simple manifestation of a sport or an activity in keeping people healthy physically, but it also involves in keeping ourselves sane in the toughest times of our life”.
Can you explain your involvement in jump rope/rope skipping?
As the world drastically changed from the earthly type of habitat to a secluded area, it is also the time where jump rope changes its mere definition in my head. It saved me from a darkness and cruelty that coexisted alongside humanity. I don’t only hold a piece of rope as I jump, nevertheless, I take every jump and routine as if my life depends on it. This is where I found the missing piece of the puzzle that will took over my life as my wrist sinks with every stomp of my feet. It taught me how to socialize with brimming confidence and esteem – I even attended various jump rope events just to fully involve myself in the growing community. It widens my horizon as an individual not to imprison myself inside the four corners of my room. On top of it, not only I am bonded with different events but at the same time I was able to grab a right set of circumstances of becoming one of the athlete council of Philippine Jump Rope Association.
Are there any fun facts that you’d like people to know about you?
The Philippine Jump Rope Community started to grow since the pandemic started and it will still grow when everything is normal.
Ilyes Debbah, Federation Francaise de Double Dutch
Why do you want to be a member of the IJRU Athlete Council?
To keep going to develop our sport for the actual athlete and future athlete. To give them knowledge and the best communication between the federation and athlete.
Can you explain your involvement in jump rope/rope skipping?
I’m working as coach of fitness for now 7 years and also coach for jump rope all around the world for 10 years. I promote jump rope in school with the French federation, university and everywhere we can do jump rope. I do performance all the year for many events also around the world.
Are there any fun facts that you’d like people to know about you?
I’m funny all the time and everyone know it in Jump rope!
Taylor Nicholson, American Jump Rope Federation
Why do you want to be a member of the IJRU Athlete Council?
Jump rope is currently in a changing state as judging, competitions, and workshops are shifting in new directions. During this change, I would love to use my background to make IJRU an organization that continues to put the interests of athletes first. I will use my 13 years of experience competing, teaching, and organizing camps on the national and international levels to help spread the sport of jump rope around the world. I have held many roles on my national governing body, including being a member of the American Jump Rope Federation Athlete Advisory Council and Communications Committee. I have been a liaison between the athletes, the community, and our NGB. I aim to continue this relationship on the international level. I look forward to working with athletes from different nations to ensure choices are made in the interest of all. Having strong athlete representatives will allow our sport to develop distinguished leaders while working towards worldwide recognition.
Can you explain your involvement in jump rope/rope skipping?
I began my jump rope career 13 years ago on the Avon Aerial Orioles Jump Rope Team, which I continue to coach today. Over the years, I have won several Grand World and Pan American titles in both single rope and double dutch, as well as travelled worldwide to organize and lead camps, perform, and compete internationally in over 5 different countries. I am an active member of the AMJRF Athletes’ Advisory Council, AMJRF Communications Committee, and US National Team, as well as being a certified IJRU judge and US National Team certification judge. With these roles, I create social outreach methods to promote the sport, help direct competitions, host athlete webinars, and create open communication channels between the athletes and AMJRF. I hope to continue my efforts of promoting the sport of jump rope on the international level through the IJRU Athlete Council!
Are there any fun facts that you’d like people to know about you?
I love hiking, biking, and all things outdoors! I also love my two dogs, Riley and Oliver.
Noah Mancuso, American Jump Rope Federation
Why do you want to be a member of the IJRU Athlete Council?
I want to be a member of the IJRU Athlete Council to advance the sport of jump rope/rope skipping on the international stage while continuing to grow its influence in local communities. I look forward to collaborating with athletes from other countries to implement new sport programming and to exchanges ideas about the sport. By elevating the athlete voice at every level, we can ensure that jump rope/rope skipping continues to develop into an inclusive and fun sport for all. I will bring my expertise to help with everything from designing innovative competition events, to running international camps and workshops, to hosting athlete webinars for member engagement around the world. I believe this opportunity has so much to offer both within and outside of the sport. I hope to continue to develop my leadership skills for use in my day-job as a global health researcher, while creating opportunities for athletes everywhere to grow with the sport too.
Can you explain your involvement in jump rope/rope skipping?
During my jump rope career, I have won multiple grand national and grand world titles and had the privilege to compete, perform, and teach in over 10 countries as an American Jump Rope Federation (AMJRF) and World Jump Rope Federation (WJRF) ambassador. I am in my third year of service on the AMJRF Athletes' Advisory Council (AAC) and serve as the AAC Chairperson and the AAC representative to the AMJRF Board of Directors.
I started jumping 14 years ago with Jump Company USA in West Virginia. I was on the team through high school, serving as team captain, before moving to North Carolina for university. While studying at UNC Chapel Hill, I helped start Carolina Jump Rope where I was co-president for three years. During this time, I started a nonprofit - Jump Ahead - that combines jump rope and nutrition education to encourage youth wellness. I am now on the Jump Ahead Board of Directors. I am also the co-founder and president of the National Collegiate Jump Rope Association (NCJRA).
Are there any fun facts that you’d like people to know about you?
I love to cook and try out new recipes that my international jump rope friends share. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I was living and working abroad in Malawi. I recently adopted a cat, named Penelope, who I love to spoil.
Thomas Cunningham, Rope Skipping Canada
Why do you want to be a member of the IJRU Athlete Council?
I want to be a member of the IJRU Athlete Council because I want to help drive the sport in the best direction possible for the athletes. The athletes are who make the sport, and they should be in the discussion when approaching changes to rules and regulations. Having athlete involvement with IJRU will be key to taking this sport as far as we all know it can go.
I also think it will be a great way for athletes from around the world to network and spread their own philosophies about the sport.
Can you explain your involvement in jump rope/rope skipping?
Jump has been a part of my life for over 17 years and I have been the Assistant Coach of the Penticton Black Widow Rope Spinners for 11 years now. I have had the opportunity to coach athletes around the world (Bermuda, Austria, USA) as well as across Canada. I have worked hard to become a 5 time Rope Skipping Canada National Champion, and a bronze and silver medalist at the 2016 World Jump Rope Championship in Portugal. Through my experience coaching and competing I have encouraged athletes to create new skills and combinations, as well as promote increasing the number of males in the sport.
Are there any fun facts that you’d like people to know about you?
I usually use the fact that I Jump Rope as my fun fact... So I am going to go with that I love to juggle!
Eri Shibata, Japan Jump Rope Union
Why do you want to be a member of the IJRU Athlete Council?
At the Athlete Council, I would like to provide guidance to prevent athlete injuries and set up an international exchange program. As for injuries, I conducted a study at my university about injuries caused by jumping rope. It became apparent that many athletes have experienced injuries, and it was also found that athletes ages 14 and under tend to injure their ankles and those 15 and over tend to injure their lower back. Therefore, I believe that athletes and coaches need to know how to prevent these specific injuries.
Regarding an international exchange program, I had the opportunity to support an exchange program between Hong Kong, China and Japan. It was wonderful to participate in each country's practices and expect further improvement from each other. It was also a valuable experience to attend events in other countries. I would like to expand this program to a much wider community to accelerate the development of Jump Rope and advance cross-cultural exchange.
Can you explain your involvement in jump rope/rope skipping?
My jump rope career started in Hong Kong in 2006, and I spent the first 7 years with experienced coaches. I learned how to practice and got awarded at several competitions. After coming back to Japan, I was forced to practice without any coaches. I could not be objective about my issues and it took 4 years to get awarded again. This experience made me aware of the importance of coaches.
I reached the top at several Asian and World Championships (FISAC-IRSF and WJR). In 2017, I started DDC (performance) style Double Dutch and got awarded at one of the most competitive contests in Japan in 2019. I have a great amount of experience with both IJRU style Jump Rope and DDC style Double Dutch, so I totally understand each different way of thinking.
By practicing with and without coaches and competing both IJRU style – DDC style, I realized how different athletes can be. Therefore, I would like to actively listen to the voices of those who have different environments and ways of thinking.
Are there any fun facts that you’d like people to know about you?
Last year, I finally learned to ride my bicycle!
Taylor Thompson, Rope Skipping Canada
Why do you want to be a member of the IJRU Athlete Council?
I have been a part of the sport of jump rope for the last 17 years. I have competed at several FISAC and World Jump Rope competitions and have seen the sport evolve throughout this time. I have experienced the joy and many hardships that being a part of this sport brings and I believe this experience will make me an asset to the Athletes Council. Currently I am still competing, with different goals but my main focus is on coaching young athletes as well as advocacy for the sport. I work as a mental health therapist for children and adults, and this has led me to merge my two passions (jump rope and mental health). Specifically, I started a mental health and jump rope initiative called mindbodyjump to help enhance individuals mental and physical health through jump rope.
Being a mental health therapist has allowed me to understand the significance of support and advocacy athletes need in order to succeed, especially as the sport of jump rope evolves. Through my training I have learned the significance of validation or “being heard”, the power of effective communication, non-judgement, as well as empathy. With this in mind, I would really like to be a support system for my fellow athletes and represent their voices in the best way that I can. If a part of the athlete’s council, it will allow me to support athletes at the highest level, but also continue to cultivate and lay the groundwork to provide support for those athletes who are just starting out on their jump rope journey.
Can you explain your involvement in jump rope/rope skipping?
I have been involved in jump rope over the last 17 years. My main involvement has been as a coach and athlete for my club team Jumpsations. I have worked with more advanced athletes that were training for worlds, as well as beginning athletes who were picking up the rope for the first time. In addition, I have worked with Kangarope (formerly Jumprope.com) to promote jump rope in school settings, as well as at pro shows for cross fit. This would include doing demonstrations, classes, and selling jump ropes. I work as a Mental Health Therapist for youth and adults. This has more recently inspired me to merge my two passions jump rope and mental health.
I began an Instagram mindbodyjump which aims to enhance the mental and physical health of individuals through jump rope and physical activity. I provide tutorials, private lessons, and would in the future (after covid) like to hold groups for example a self-esteem and jump rope group, anxiety and jump rope group etc. As I continue to get older, I would like to continue to give back to the sport of jump rope that has gave me so much. Being a part of the athlete’s council will enable me to do so.
Are there any fun facts that you’d like people to know about you?
I'm from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Club Team is Jumpsations
I have the 30 second speed Canadian record!
I am currently completing my Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counselling
Elena Astakhova, Russian Jump Rope Federation
Why do you want to be a member of the IJRU Athlete Council?
I want to be part of the Athletes Council because I have been practicing jump rope since its beginning in Russia, I am deeply interested in the further development of sports and I love coaching and I want my students to grow in sports
Can you explain your involvement in jump rope/rope skipping?
I am an active athlete of the Russian National Team constantly improving my skills in this sport.
I’m also a Jump Rope coach (3 years) and an organizer of sports events (camps, championships, festivals). I love communicating with children and practice a creative approach to learning jump rope.
Are there any fun facts that you’d like people to know about you?
I’ve learned about jump rope when I was 18 years! I’m passionate about drawing, so that was my main activity before skipping.
Canoci Chiara, The Italian Federation of Acrobatic and Choreographic Sport
No information at this time.
Nitiben Pandya, Jump Rope Federation of India
No information at this time.
Chu Ting Ho, Hong Kong Rope Skipping Association, China
No information at this time.