Travelling the world, twirling a baton

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/9/2017 (1371 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Yonatan Orlov is an 18 year old who travels the world competing in a sport he loves. And that sport is baton twirling.

"I got started in the sport when I was about 11," he says. "I got interested in it through a talent show I watched in Grade 6. I used to be in gymnastics and after I saw that show I thought I would give baton a try."

Shortly after that show, Yonatan set things into action to get involved.

"(First) I had to find a coach. Greendell Community Centre had a baton program (and) the coach said they were having a competition and that I should watch it," he recalls.

"Well, I watched it and I really liked it. The next year I signed up in the Greendell Baton and Dance program. Ever since that day I have been with the club twirling."

A recent graduate of Glenlawn Collegiate, Yonatan now is in his first year of science at the University of Winnipeg.

"I enjoy science," he says. "For now my goal is to eventually go into physiotherapy."

Yonatan and his dad Sergey, mom Olga, and sister Rina live in Sage Creek.

"I am very thankful for my family. My mom and dad have always been very supportive," he says.
Yonatan also has a tremendous relationship with his coach, Dana Peteleski.

"(She) choreographs everything from start to finish. I have spent a lot of time with her in the gym. We are very close. I can talk to her about anything," he says.

Getting the opportunity to travel the world is something most of us can only dream about. For

Yonatan, travelling the world as a teenager competing in a sport he loves is reality.

"I went to Sweden last year at the worlds and finished eighth. This year I went to Croatia for the International Cup and won four medals."

With his humility, Yonatan didn’t mention that those four medals were all gold.

"With my artistic pairs partner, Laura Tymchyshyn, we finished fourth at the International Cup."

Yonatan is now in training and hoping to qualify for the upcoming world championships in Florida. He loves the travel but that’s not what he treasures most about his experiences in baton twirling.

"It’s the friendships I get to have through the sport, friends across Canada and the world. Friends that I have made through the sport I love, that is what I enjoy the very most," he says.

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Troy Westwood is co-host of The Big Show, every weekday morning from 6 to 10 a.m. on TSN 1290 radio. He writes about Winnipeg’s unsung sports heroes every other week in the Canstar Community News weeklies. If you know of an athlete whose story Troy should tell, contact him at: troy.westwood@bellmedia.ca