In 1998, the World Baton Twirling Federation introduced the Special Athlete's Award of Recognition. Recipients of this very prestigious award are:

Presented in 2008

• Carina van Beers -  The Netherlands
• Joaquin Bermudez -  Spain-Catalonia

Presented in 2007

• David Doyne - Ireland
• Shuichi Kawazu - Japan
• Toshimichi Sasaki - Japan

Presented in 2005

• Akemi Kimura - Japan
• Kathy Hewitt - England

Presented in 2003

• Chiharu Tachiban - Japan
• Kellie Donovan - USA
• Sebastien Dubois - France
• Tamara Hoevenaars - Holland

Presented in 2002

• Elissa Johnson - USA
• Emery Harriston - USA

Presented in 2001

• Bridgette Bartley - USA
• Chiara Stefanazzi - Italy
• Elin Hjartaaker - Norway
• Jenny Hannah - USA
• Mark Nash - USA

Presented in 2000

• Bertrand Royer - France

Presented in 1999

• Christian Altenburger - Switzerland

Presented in 1998

• Celine Tanner-Imhof - Switzerland
• Chiho Honjo - Japan
• Christian De Backer - Belgium
• Kevan Latrace - Canada
• Lucinda McMaster - Canada
•  
• Noriko Takahashi - Japan
• Toshimichi Sasaki - Japan