SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — With the American Jump Rope Federation’s (AMJRF) National Championship coming to Sioux Falls in 2025, that begs the question, what is competitive jump rope?
During a press conference on Monday, September 30, members of the AMJRF spoke on the different kinds of competitive jump rope. Kenzie Christensen, communications chair for AMJRF, said there are roughly 13 different events jumpers can compete in either individually or as a team.
“There are speed and freestyle events,” Christensen said. “Speed events are as fast as you can go for a certain number of seconds, there is 30-seconds or 3-minute, which is an endurance one, there is also Double Dutch with two ropes going and speed is when you alternate from your right foot to your left foot.”
In speed events, a jumper alternates their feet with the rope going around the jumper every time one of their feet hits the ground for 30 seconds, one minute or three minutes. The jumper is judged on the number of times they alternate their feet.
Christensen said freestyle jumping is the more creative side of jump roping.
“You get ahold of a jump rope and you get to think of whatever you can do with this rope and say ‘I’m gonna try and come up with something,’ every competition you get to see something you have never seen before,” she said.
The championship is expected to bring up to 300 jumpers from all over the country to compete and upwards of 1,000 people in Sioux Falls to watch the competition, a press release said.
Freestyle events are where athletes complete a set of skills with or without music in front of a panel of judges. Freestyle events are categorized into four areas: Single, Pairs, Double Dutch and Team.
Jump Rope is under consideration for the next Olympic Summer Games. Anita Gabel, Chairperson for AMJRF, said they are currently working with the International Olympic Committee on their trials.
“You might have seen they had some jumpers doing demos at the Olympics in Paris and we will also be doing demos at the one that will be hosted here in 2028, but we are hoping for 2032,” Gabel said.
Christensen noted that anyone from any age can jump rope and compete.
“We start out in our clubs and kids can start in that as young as 5 or 6 years old,” she said. “That can be programming, that can be after-school programs or clubs inside the schools. That goes all the way up, our oldest person who is a contestant is 81 years old. It’s every age group so everyone can participate.”
The National Championships will be at the Elmen Center at Augustana University from June 28 through July 3rd, 2025.
