Pompoms rustle and silver shoes flash as "Japan Pom Pom" practices, moving to a lively cheer dance beat. With members ages 60 to 89, they're no ordinary squad. But don't you dare call them grannies. Originally started with five people 26 years ago after Takino saw an overseas senior cheer squad in the news, the group now has 17 active members. Members, all older than 55, must pass auditions. Now the group is featured in government pamphlets about active seniors, appears periodically in TV reports, and performs in popular charity shows. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY SEARCH "KYUNG-HOON CHEER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Pompoms rustle and silver shoes flash as "Japan Pom Pom" practices, moving to a lively cheer dance beat. With members ages 60 to 89, they're no ordinary squad. But don't you dare call them grannies. Originally started with five people 26 years ago after Takino saw an overseas senior cheer squad in the news, the group now has 17 active members. Members, all older than 55, must pass auditions. Now the group is featured in government pamphlets about active seniors, appears periodically in TV reports, and performs in popular charity shows. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY SEARCH "KYUNG-HOON CHEER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

A camel looks over the Giza Pyramids of Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, October 9, 2018. Picture taken October 9, 2018. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

A women enjoys a sunny winter day on Leopoldsberg in Vienna, Austria, February 28, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

A supporter for Nicolas Sarkozy, former head of the "Les Republicains" political party, attends a political rally for the French center-right presidential primary in Nice, France, November 15, 2016. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

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2016 Rio Olympics - Beach Volleyball - Women's Semifinal - USA v Brazil - Beach Volleyball Arena - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 17/08/2016. Spectators wear masks of Queen Elizabeth as they watch the women's semifinal match between Brazil and U.S.A. on Copacabana beach. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Recent refugee from Syria Sandy Khabbazeh cheers on the Indian Hills Braves high school football team in Oakland, New Jersey, November 20, 2015. Picture taken November 20, 2015. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

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Hamilton Tiger-Cats Brandon Banks scores a touchdown past B.C. Lions Rolly Lumbala during the first half of their CFL football game in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, August 15, 2015. REUTERS/Mark Blinch

A Montreal Alouettes cheerleader cheers during second half CFL football action against the Toronto Argonauts in Montreal, August 1, 2014. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Fans of Team Canada watch as a cheerleader performs during the men's preliminary round ice hockey game against Austria at the Sochi 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 14, 2014. REUTERS/Jim Young (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT ICE HOCKEY)

Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders perform before the Jaguars met the San Francisco 49er in their NFL football game at Wembley Stadium in London, October 27, 2013. REUTERS/Andrew Winning (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Competitors of "Queen of the Elderly 2013" beauty contest perform together on stage in a theatre in Monterrey August 14, 2013. 18 finalists will be chosen to compete in the final event on August 23. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril (MEXICO - Tags: SOCIETY)

Louisville Cardinals cheerleaders perform during the NCAA men's Final Four basketball game against the Wichita State Shockers in Atlanta, Georgia April 6, 2013. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

Warren Baxter from Oakville Ontario cheers for the Toronto Blue Jays as they play the Cleveland Indians in the second inning of their opening day MLB American League baseball game in Toronto April 2, 2013. REUTERS/Fred Thornhill (CANADA - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Chicago Bulls' cheerleaders perform during a time out in the second half of the NBA basketball game between the Chicago Bulls and the Golden State Warriors in Chicago, Illinois, January 25, 2013. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

The Sun City Poms cheerleader dancers rehearse in Sun City, Arizona, January 7, 2013. Sun City was built in 1959 by entrepreneur Del Webb as America?s first active retirement community for the over-55's. Del Webb predicted that retirees would flock to a community where they were given more than just a house with a rocking chair in which to sit and wait to die. Today?s residents keep their minds and bodies active by socializing at over 120 clubs with activities such as square dancing, ceramics, roller skating, computers, cheerleading, racquetball and yoga. There are 38,500 residents in the community with an average age 72.4 years. Picture taken January 7, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: SOCIETY) FOR BEST QUALITY IMAGE SEE: GF2E9BM1CD201

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Cheerleaders dance while Russia plays Slovakia in their preliminary round game during the 2013 IIHF U20 World Junior Hockey Championship in Ufa, December 26, 2012. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (RUSSIA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY)

Calgary Stampeders cheerleaders dance during a break in play during the first half of their CFL football game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Calgary, Alberta, September 14, 2012. REUTERS/Todd Korol (CANADA - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders stand on the goal line before the start of the Philadelphia Eagles versus the New York Jets NFL preseason football game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 30, 2012. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak (C) sings a patriotic song during the National Day celebrations, marking the 55th anniversary of the country's independence, at Independence Square in Kuala Lumpur August 31, 2012. Performers are seen shaking their pompoms in the foreground. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad (MALAYSIA - Tags: ANNIVERSARY POLITICS SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

NBA basketball player Kobe Bryant of the U.S. poses with an electric guitar during a charity basketball game in Shanghai August 18, 2012. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (CHINA - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

U.S. pop singer Madonna performs on stage during her MDNA tour at the National Stadium in Warsaw August 1, 2012. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel (POLAND - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

A Britain fan, with her face painted in the style of the Union Jack, smiles while attending the men's Group A football match against Senegal at the London 2012 Olympic Games in Old Trafford, Manchester, northern England July 26, 2012. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER SPORT OLYMPICS)

Boca Juniors' cheerleaders perform during halftime of their Argentine First Division soccer match against Argentinos Juniors in Buenos Aires, April 7, 2012. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci (ARGENTINA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)

Florida State Seminoles' cheerleaders perform during their game with Cincinnati Bearcats during their men's NCAA third round basketball game in Nashville, Tennessee, March 18, 2012. REUTERS/Harrison McClary (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

NFL cheerleaders perform during the opening ceremony of the NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii January 29, 2012. REUTERS/Hugh Gentry (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Soldiers participate as professional cheerleaders entertain troops at Camp Virginia in Kuwait December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Caren Firouz (KUWAIT - Tags: CONFLICT MILITARY ENTERTAINMENT)

A BC Lions cheerleader performs inside BC Place Stadium before the start of the CFL's 99th Grey Cup football game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Vancouver, British Columbia November 27, 2011. REUTERS/Todd Korol (CANADA - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

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Baltimore Ravens cheerleaders perform during the Ravens NFL football game in Baltimore, Maryland August 25, 2011. Cheerleader talent is strong along the east coast and candidates drive to Baltimore for team tryouts each March hoping to join the squad. Hundreds of competitors face three intense days of sudden-death eliminations against returning team members expecting to make the squad. Picture taken August 25, 2011. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT)

San Diego Chargers cheerleaders perform during a break in the NFL football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs in San Diego, September 25, 2011. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL ENTERTAINMENT SOCIETY)

A Calgary Stampeders' cheerleader dances in the smoke at the beginning of the CFL football game against the Edmonton Eskimos in Calgary, Alberta, September 5, 2011. REUTERS/Todd Korol (CANADA - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

A Calgary Stampeders cheerleader dances in the rain during the first half of their pre-season CFL football game against the B.C. Lions in Calgary, Alberta, June 15, 2011. REUTERS/Todd Korol (CANADA - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

New England Patriots cheerleaders perform before the NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Massachusetts December 19, 2010. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Costumed cheerleaders for the San Diego Chargers perform during a break in play against the Tennessee Titans during their NFL football game in San Diego, California on Halloween October 31, 2010. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

Washington Redskins cheerleaders perform during the NFL football game between the Redskins and the Houston Texans in Landover, Maryland, September 19, 2010. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL ENTERTAINMENT IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Male cheerleaders perform during the Gay Games VIII in Cologne August 2, 2010. Some 10,000 gays and lesbians competed in 35 kinds of sport during the 8-day event, which aims to promote self-confidence of homosexual communities around the world, the organiser said on its website. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: SPORT SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Members of a seniors' cheerleading group called "Japan Pom Pom" perform on stage at the All Japan Cheerleading and Dance Championship in Chiba, east of Tokyo, March 27, 2010. Japan may have little to celebrate with its economic recovery still fragile, so some cheerleaders are hitting the streets and stages to pep up the mood - including one pom-pom squad whose average age is 66. Picture taken March 27, 2010. To match Reuters Life! story JAPAN-CHEERLEADERS/ REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN - Tags: SOCIETY SPORT)

Tennessee's cheerleaders flip during the player introductions before their first round NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament game against San Diego State University in Providence, Rhode Island March 18, 2010. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL IMAGES OF THE DAY)

New York Knicks' Nate Robinson celebrates after dunking the ball with Pom Poms from the Dallas Mavericks cheerleaders as he competes in the Slam Dunk contest on his way to winning the event during NBA All-Star weekend in Dallas, Texas February 13, 2010. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

New Orleans Saints cheerleaders lie in confetti as they perform their routine after their team defeated the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL's Super Bowl XLIV football game in Miami, Florida February 7, 2010. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES)

Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders stand on the field during pregame ceremonies for the NFL's Super Bowl XLIV football game in Miami, Florida, February 7, 2010. REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity (UNITED STATES)

Cheerleaders perform outside the stadium before the NFL's Super Bowl XLIV football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints in Miami, Florida, February 7, 2010. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (UNITED STATES)

Cheerleaders dance before the Men's European Handball Championship second round match between Germany and France, in Innsbruck January 24, 2010. REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski (AUSTRIA - Tags: SPORT HANDBALL)

New England Patriots cheerleaders perform during the Patriots NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Foxborough, Massachusetts December 13, 2009. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders enter the field before the start of the NFL football game between the Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania October 11, 2009. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATES SPORT FOOTBALL)

Calgary Stampeders cheerleaders perform during the first half of the Labor Day Classic CFL football game against Edmonton Eskimos in Calgary, Alberta, September 7, 2009. REUTERS/Todd Korol (CANADA SPORT FOOTBALL)

Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders line up in the end zone before the start of the Eagles versus the New England Patriots NFL preseason football game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 13, 2009. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATES SPORT FOOTBALL)

A cheerleader celebrates a goal by Italy against Uzbekistan during their preliminary water polo match at the World Championships in Rome on July 19, 2009. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh (ITALY SPORT WATER POLO)

Cheerleaders dance before the German basketball championship final between Baskets Oldenburg and Telekom Baskets Bonn in Bonn June 23, 2009. REUTERS/Ina Fassbender (GERMANY SPORT BASKETBALL SOCIETY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

The mascot of the European women's basketball championships entertains spectators in Liepaja June 7, 2009. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins (LATVIA SPORT BASKETBALL)

Cheerleaders dance during the break in the Men's World Handball Championship gold medal match between Croatia and France in Zagreb February 1, 2009. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj (CROATIA)

Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders take the field before the Cowboys' final regular season NFL football game at Texas Stadium, against the Baltimore Ravens in Irving, Texas December 20, 2008. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES)

Members of the New Orleans Saints'cheerleading squad perform during the first half of the NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers at Wembley Stadium in London October 26, 2008. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN)

Members of the New Orleans Saints' cheerleader squad perform during the first half of the NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers at Wembley Stadium in London October 26, 2008. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN)

A supporter holds up his sign as Republican vice presidential nominee Alaska Governor Sarah Palin speaks during a rally in Henderson, Nevada October 21, 2008. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA)

High school cheerleaders compete in the Japan Cup 2008 cheerleading competition in Tokyo August 23, 2008. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN)