Cheerleading is a sport?

Yes and no. If it's competitive cheerleading, then yes. If you're working towards a competition. I'd say it's not a sport when you just cheer for the sake of cheering, if there's no chance or desire to compete....then, no.

The main criteria for an activity being determined a sport is physical skill AND competition.

It is athletic but I wouldn't call it a sport. Things that are judged rely too much on personal opinion to be considered sports IMO.

nah, i think cheerleading ismore of anart form than sport

I think it's definitely a sport, there is a big cardio factor, plus there is of course the dance portion, and not to mention the complex and often breathtaking lifts that have to be constantly practiced. I find it awfully sad the rep that many cheerleaders get because of media.

Yes. It is a form of dancing, and dancing is a sport.

IF cheerleading isn't a sport do me a favor and try it: Lift someone above your head and keep them sturdy while they twist their body in pretzel forms and smile at the same time, stand on someone's hands extended above them and keep up smiling and confidence while they throw you and you spin in one or two circles on the ground. Build up your strength until you pass out and then do it once more. Run, Yell, dance, make it perfect, stunt, jump, tumble, and smile all at the same time. Get your homework finished then stay up late [even if you are tired] perfecting every motion, just for that extra ounce of wow. Practice that tow touch, pike, dance, facial, herkie, stunt counts, back handspring, back tuck, layout, full, and everything until every ounce of sweat is out of you. But then keep going. Be there for your team, give it your all, never quit, work through tears, and forgive. Take elbows, hands, fists, feet, and shoes to the face, stomach, legs, neck, eyes, and shake it off and then keep going whether in the heat or the cold but STILL give it your all. Pop every motion just for that extra tenth of a point, keep your cool, tumble until you drop, occasionally spraining or breaking something. Give your absolute all, all at the same time and then when you do all that, you can tell me cheerleading is not a sport. :)

It's as much a sport as synchronized swimming, bowling, darts, baton twirling or kickball...

The argument is REALLY all about the definition of "sport", isn't it?
Some believe the element of "competition" must be present. Even when it is pointed out that the competitions are held separate from the sidelines "Cheer LEADING" aspect many still say its not a "sport", because it is "judged". By that token then, what of other judged events like skating, diving, ice dancing, gymnastics and so on. And if those ARE sports, then what about cheerleading competitions?

So the two positions have to iron out what the full definition of "sport" will be. And don't "make it up". Use dictionaries and so forth to iron it out. THEN it should be easy to decide where Cheerleading fits.
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here is just ONE Dictionary definition---
like- "a physical activity (such as hunting, fishing, running, swimming, etc.) that is done for enjoyment"
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By a dictionary definition, the competive aspect is NOT required for sport. It is any activity that is done for no productive reason, it is done for the enjoyment.

So sure, cheerleading IS a sport. It is not a GAME, but it IS a sport.

Just look at Jamie Andries.

You have to compete with other teams, you have to be in good shape to perform it, and you can win awards and medals for it. So yes I do believe it is a sport. However it is a sport that aims to encourage football to do well. Which I believe is in fact sexualizing and demeaning to the people performing but that choice is all theirs. I am not a girl, I was never in cheerleading, and I do not know any cheerleaders currently. I based this souly on the facts of the sport. Nothing I feel personally for the sport.