Bussting a move overseas

was the fact he was the only Aussie to be chosen in two nationally selected ICU teams.

crazy – it’s nothing like the comps we have here in Australia… it made me very nervous.”

“People were even chanting my name, it was surreal.”

South Penrith teenager Riley Busst is still doing backflips and jump splits after a very successful trip to the United States competing in both cheer and dance.

Not only did the 16-year-old pick up several medals during his stint in Orlando, Florida last month, but he was also bestowed the honour of being Australia’s flag bearer at the International Cheer Union (ICU) World Cheerleading Championships.

Riley represented Team Australia in Elite Cheer and Hip Hop at the World Cheerleading Championships, which was live streamed around the world on the Olympic Channel.

Making his selection even more remarkable

Riley and his Australian teammates were outstanding throughout the Championships, placing second in the world for Elite Cheer and fourth in the world for Hip Hop.

Their routines have already racked up thousands of views online, with people sending Team Australia their praises from all corners of the globe.

Speaking with the Weekender, Riley said it was a dream come true to represent Australia in a major international competition.

“It was an incredible feeling to make the team,” he said.

“It was very exhausting. It was over a week of competing and we had to do training while we were over there. But the competition was

Before the competition got underway, Riley got the surprise news that he would be Team Australia’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony. Voted by his peers, the Year 11 St Marys Senior High School student said the honour was made even more special as it was his 16th birthday as well.

“I got to experience the opening ceremony on the day of my birthday, so people from different cultures and different countries were singing me ‘Happy Birthday’ in their language, which was really cool,” Riley said.

“I didn’t expect to be the flag bearer whatsoever… it was so exciting! Getting to stand up there, watching all the countries come through, it was so incredible.

On top of Riley’s feats with the Australian Cheer Union, he also performed in Orlando with local studio Reign Elite at The 2023 Dance Worlds.

Riley danced with two Reign Elite teams, picking up a bronze medal as well as a ninthplace finish in two very difficult and highly competitive divisions.

Dancing since he was just three, Riley said he thoroughly enjoyed competing with some of his closest friends from Reign Elite.

“We’ve always dreamed of performing at Worlds, so all of us just had so much passion and drive to get there,” he said.

“It was a great experience getting to do that with my closest friends.”