Davis wins 5th world hoop dance title

(Times photo - Leigh T. Jimmie)

Champion hoop dancer Derrick Suwaima Davis, Hopi/Choctaw, of Old Oraibi, Ariz., shows his fancy footwork in the 20th annual Heard Museum World Championship on Sunday, Feb. 14 in Phoenix.

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After taking a four-year hiatus from the tournament, Derrick Suwaima Davis came back to win the world champion hoop dance title.

Not for the first time, not for the second time, and not even for the third. It is the fifth world champion title for Davis.

"I am deeply honored and humbled for the award," he said.

Davis, Hopi/Choctaw, of Old Oraibi, Ariz., beat out last year's winner, Brian Hammill, by 12 points. Hammill came in fourth at the 20th Annual Heard Museum World Championship Hoop Dance Contest.

Although older than the 18- to 39-year-old age range for the adult division, 43-year-old Davis said he didn't want to compete in the senior division, which is meant for competitors 40 and older.

"I didn't want to dance in the (senior) division," Davis said. "I don't feel like a senior."

A dancer of more than two decades, Davis says he was glad to be back in the tournament. The last time he competed for the world title was at the 16th Annual Hoop Dance contest. At that tournament, he came in second place.

"It was very interesting to see new dancers," he said.

A little intimidated at first, Davis said his comfort and confidence levels came back to him as soon as he started dancing to the beat of the drum in front of thousands of spectators.

Davis took home the coveted title in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1998.

Debra Krol, communication manager at the Heard Museum, estimates at least 10,000 people were in attendance. She says the beautiful weather played a huge role in the mass turnout.

"It was absolutely fantastic," Krol said. "Last year, it was raining off and on and that made it difficult, but not this year."

The tournament consisted of 65 U.S. and Canadian competitors spread out into five divisions: tiny tot, youth, teen, adult and senior.

The youngest dancer was a 3-month-old who was held by a parent in the dancer's circle.

Hoop dancers were also featured during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympic games, Krol said.

"It's so great to see these wonderful performers getting all this attention," she said.

When it comes to next year, Davis says he really wants to participate again. He has two little ones at home, ages 3 and 4, and he hopes they will keep the tradition alive for future generations.

Davis scored 240 points to win the title. Second place went to Charles Denny, Cree/Ute, from Ft. Duchesne, Utah, with 236 points. Third was Tony Duncan, San Carlos Apache, from Mesa, Ariz. Fourth was Hammill, Ho Chunk, from New River, Ariz., with 228 points. Rounding out the top five was Quentin Pipestem, Tsuu-Tina, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada who scored 223 points.

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