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Las Vegas, NV (9/7/2024) - - The World Acrobatics Society (WAS) celebrated its 28th anniversary (1996-2024) at its annual “Hall of Fame” banquet on September 7, 2024, at the Tuscany Casino & Suites in Las Vegas. An audience of nearly 145 people honored the Class of 2024 inductees, who were selected for their high level of accomplishment and contributions to the acrobatic community. “It was an outstanding event!” proclaimed WAS President Scott Crouse as the evening’s festivities concluded.
Including these 9 honorees, the WAS Hall of Fame has inducted 334 individuals from around the world... These outstanding individuals have been selected for their excellence in their specific disciplines, with many continuing to stay involved in a professional and exemplary manner. In addition, they have contributed to society and the growth of acrobatics on a national and worldwide basis.
The 2024 Inductees are:
· ACROBATIC GYMNASTICS – Eva Rucka, played a pivotal role in the sport of acrobatic gymnastics, not only in Poland, where she represented her country winning multiple National titles, but also in the U.S. and Canada as a successful coach, who produced champion athletes.
· ACTION SPORTS – John Heiney, a champion aerobatic hang glider who in 1988 and 1998 broke the Guinness World Record for performing 52 consecutive loops, and now excels in aerial photography and the invention of numerous camera mounts to capture the magic of flying.
· ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS – Vladimir Artemov, a multiple Olympic and world champion in artistic gymnastics who continues to share his knowledge and skills as a coach and mentor to young gymnasts.
· DIVING – Michael Hixon, a two-time Olympic medalist, having won the silver medal with Sam Dorman in the men's synchronized 3-meter springboard event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and the silver medal with Andrew Capobianco at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo in the same event.
· PROFESSIONAL ACROBATICS – Flying Caballero Family, have demonstrated a wide range of expertise in performing trampoline, tumbling, hand-balancing, web, and trapeze acrobatics, and have received many prestigious circus honors and awards. The members of the flying trapeze act have broken several world records performing triple and quadruple somersaults.
· TRAMPOLINE/TUMBLING – Dian Nissen, World Age Group Games champion in trampoline, double-mini tramp, and synchronized trampoline. She became a fitness expert, trampoline safety advocate, WAS Board Member, and the owner of Nissen Trampoline Academy.
· GOLDEN ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Dave Black, a freelance photographer who for over 44 years worked primarily in the sports industry covering both amateur and professional sports. He photographed 12 Olympic Games, the NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR, the Masters, the US Open, the Kentucky Derby, and many more. Plus, is an author and serves as an Ambassador for Nikon USA cameras,
· LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Hardy Fink, a Canadian gymnast and lifelong fitness advocate who became a guiding force in the development of Canadian and international gymnastics coaching, education, judging, gym safety, and competition.
· CHARLIE POND SERVICE AWARD – David Jacobs, a champion gymnast who pursued a successful career in the Life Insurance industry and became a longtime member of the World Acrobatics Society (WAS), serving as President from 2015 to 2019. His commitment and positive contributions have been vital to WAS achieving its numerous milestones and goals.
Established in 1996, the World Acrobatics Society (WAS) is an exciting, growing worldwide not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization whose members share a love of acrobatics. The mission is to advance the education, communication, and cooperation among all individuals and organizations interested in fostering the growth, development and safety of the various acrobatic disciplines along with preserving their histories.
The major acrobatic disciplines recognized by WAS include:
Acrobatic Gymnastics & Cheerleading, Action Sports, Artistic Gymnastics, Diving, Professional Acrobatics, and Trampoline & Tumbling, in addition to the Golden Achievement Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Acrobatic Excellence, and the Charlie Pond Service Award.
Full bios and additional photos are available upon request and can be found at:
REQUESTS: worldacro@gmail.com
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World Acrobatics Society
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