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YoYo Spotlight – 44RPM Blues

April 20, 2016 By YoYoNews

44RPM Blues

44RPM Blues Specs:

Diameter: 62mm
Width: 44mm
Weight:  66.1 grams (w/o rings)
Weight: 71.5 grams (w/rings)
Response: 19mm pad
Bearing: Center Trac Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)

The 44RPM Blues is the second aluminum release from 44RPM, the start-up company from Drew Tetz and 3x World & National YoYo Champion Hank Freeman. 44RPM launched with a load of “flatpack” toys…yoyos, kendamas, and spin tops that are laser cut from a single sheet of wood and then assembled by the player. The Blues is their signature edition yoyo for co-founder Drew Tetz.

PLAY

The 44RPM Blues is a huge, ridiculous yoyo that is almost guaranteed to be the most fun and unique throw in your entire collection. The huge diameter juxtaposed with a totally reasonable weight means that without the wooden weight rings, the Blues is huge and floaty, and plays in a way that is best described as “round”. Add the included laser cut wooden rings and the Blues picks up a little extra spin time and the play goes from “round” to “fat”. Trust me…once you actually play with a Blues, this all makes perfect sense. Only a yoyo this strange and wonderful could be suitable as the signature model for 2014 Trick Innovator of the Year Drew Tetz.

44RPM Blues

LOOKS

Available in solid colors with art created by Rodrigo “Whip” Yokota, the Blues makes use of laser cut wooden rings to give it a truly unique look. The combination of a rich red anodizing with the burnt wood of the rings makes the Blues look classy and interesting…I can’t speak for how the other colors will look with rings, but I suspect they’ll be fantastic as well.  The anodizing is solid, without flaws, and the art is bold and cleanly engraved.

44RPM Blues

VALUE

The 44RPM Blues retails for $55, which is plenty reasonable for a great playing modern aluminum yoyo, and a total bargain for something that is truly unique in the market. There is no other yoyo available that looks or feels like the Blues, and it’s worth the $$ just to have one handy for the sake of variety.

BUY THE 44RPM BLUES

The 44RPM Blues is available through YoYoExpert.com. 

THIS POST SPONSORED BY 44RPM

Filed Under: Featured, YoYo Spotlight Tagged With: 44rpm, blues, drew tetz, hank freeman, laser cut, rafael matsunaga, sponsored, sponsored post, wood, yoyo spotlight

YoYo Spotlight – YoYoFactory Boss

April 13, 2016 By YoYoNews

YoYoFactory Boss

YoYoFactory Boss Specs:

Diameter: 50.75mm
Width: 41.3mm
Weight: 66.8 grams
Response: 19mm pad
Bearing: Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)

The Boss is the latest entry-level metal yoyo from YoYoFactory, and is designed and intended to be a great first metal yoyo for players who are new to unresponsive play.

PLAY

The YoYoFactory Boss is stable and forgiving, two things that every beginning player needs. The small size makes it a fairly quick player, and the shape is comfy in the hand and easily maneuverable on the string. If you’re used to a full-sized yoyo, it will take a few minutes of play to get used to the smaller diameter and slightly different throw/unwind of the Boss, but once you’re dialed in even an experienced player will find that this is a small, zippy, and really fun knock-around yoyo.

Boss2

LOOKS

Available in solid colors with a simple engraving, the Boss has a clean, simple look. The anodizing is nice and the engraving is clear, and the YoYoFactory Boss is available in Red, Blue, and Black.

VALUE

The YoYoFactory Boss retails for only $30, making it a fantastic deal for any player looking for their first unresponsive metal yoyo or any experienced player looking for a beater they can throw in a jacket pocket and not worry about damage from Walking the Dog to impress the ransoms.

BUY THE YOYOFACTORY BOSS

The YoYoFactory Boss is available now at YoYoExpert.com.

THIS POST SPONSORED BY YOYOFACTORY

Filed Under: Featured, YoYo Spotlight Tagged With: boss, sponsored, sponsored post, spotlight, yoyo spotlight, yoyofactory

YoYo Spotlight – YoYofficer Tusk

March 30, 2016 By YoYoNews

YoYofficer Tusk

YoYofficer Tusk Specs:

Diameter: 56mm
Width: 44.49mm
Weight: 65.9 grams
Response: 19mm pad
Bearing: Centering Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)

The Yoyofficer Tusk is the latest mono-metal release from YoYofficer, and this full-sized yoyo brings a ton of play value with a really big feel in the hands and on the string.

PLAY

The YoYofficer Tusk offers a full-sized body with a classic “H” shape, and it’s every bit the big, meaty throw you would expect from a yoyo with these specs. The Tusk is deceptively light for a full-sized throw, and feels big and fast on the string. There’s something more fun about playing with a yoyo that feels larger, and the Tusk definitely brings more fun to your collection. It’s got the spin and stability that you need, with a blasted finish that is amazing for grinds. The open inner cup lends itself well to fingerspin tricks, and the secondary bump inside the cup pushes some weight to the center of the yoyo, giving it a more balanced overall weight distribution and a smoother throw.

YoYofficer Tusk

LOOKS

The Yoyofficer Tusk is available in a nice assortment of splash and wash anodizing. The fit and finish on this yoyo is great, with bright, vivid colors on the anodizing and sharp, clear engraving. The detailing on the inner cup is really nice, and gives some extra depth to the design, especially the detail rib around the cup’s step. Overall it’s a great looking yoyo with some nice color options.

VALUE

The YoYofficer Tusk retails for $40 – $45, making it a highly affordable casual purchase for anyone who likes a beefy “H” shape and is looking to get into the YoYofficer product line. At this price, the Tusk is a great option for players of any skill level looking for something new.

BUY THE YOYOFFICER TUSK

The Yoyofficer Tusk is available now through YoYoExpert.com.

THIS POST SPONSORED BY YOYOFFICER

Filed Under: Featured, YoYo Spotlight Tagged With: featured, sponsored, sponsored post, tusk, yoyo spotlight, yoyofficer

YoYo Spotlight – YoYofficer Shift

March 23, 2016 By YoYoNews

Yoyofficer Shift

YoYofficer Shift Specs:

Diameter: 54.08mm
Width: 45.3mm
Weight: 63.6 grams
Response: 19mm pad
Bearing: Centering Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)

The Yoyofficer Shift is the second bi-metal release from this small Chinese company, and a fantastic throw for the price. With a wide catch zone and a comfortable, semi-organic body shape, the Shift is fun and comfortable throw with all the power you need.

PLAY

The YoYofficer Shift is small and light, but brings a ton of play value to its price range. The soft v-shaped body has a huge catch zone, enough to really facilitate even the riskiest horizontal tricks with ease. The overwhelming majority of the Shift’s weight is in the steel rims, which gives it a solid feel and powerful spin that you wouldn’t expect from something that only weighs in at 63 grams. The slightly rounded rims make the Shift a comfortable throw…the profile is one of the most ergonomic and friendly of the entire YoYofficer line. The Shift ships with a grooved centering bearing that really helps maximize the spin time of the bi-metal design. It’s become cliché to say that any yoyo has long spin times and plenty of stability, but only because modern yoyo design has been dialed in to the point where every reputable company has figured it out. And YoYofficer is definitely a reputable yoyo company, and the Shift definitely has plenty of spin time and stability.

YoYofficer Shift Profile

LOOKS

Available in solid colors with a simple engraving, the YoYofficer Shift keeps things classy with an understated look. The fit of the rims to the body is smooth and clean, the matte finish on the yoyo feels wonderful, and the overall look of the yoyo is elegant and simple. Small touches like the rounded transition to the flat cup, the beveled edge of the rim where the aluminum meets the steel, and the tiny flat detail that transitions the rim into the gap give the Shift a depth of design that becomes more enjoyable the more you look at it.

VALUE

The YoYofficer Shift retails for just $75, making it an incredible deal for players looking to add a bi-metal yoyo to their collection. It’s a solid, simple design with a ton of play value at a great price…what more could you ask for?

BUY THE YOYOFFICER SHIFT

The Yoyofficer Shift is available now through YoYoExpert.com.

THIS POST SPONSORED BY YOYOFFICER

Filed Under: Featured, YoYo Spotlight Tagged With: bi metal, featured, shift, sponsored, sponsored post, yoyo spotlight, yoyofficer

YoYo Spotlight – Throw Revolution Vertex

March 16, 2016 By YoYoNews

ThrowRevolution Vertex

Throw Revolution Vertex Specs:

Diameter: 56.08mm
Width: 42.47mm
Weight: 65.3 grams
Response: 19mm pad
Bearing: Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)

The Vertex is the first yoyo from Throw Revolution, the new company from 2011 World YoYo Champion (and first champion ever from Singapore), Marcus Koh. The Vertex is very much designed to be a competition yoyo, and is easily one of the fastest playing yoyos we’ve ever laid our hands on.

PLAY

The Throw Revolution Vertex is incredibly fast, and incredibly stable. Those words get thrown around a lot when describing new yoyos, but few models earn it with the kind of ferocity the Vertex does…at times throwing the Vertex almost feels like trying to tame a wild animal. This yoyo is for experienced, serious competitors who are looking to squeeze every possible second out of their stage time. The slightly contoured V profile combined with the extraordinary weight distribution make the Vertex the perfect compliment to Throw Revolution owner Marcus Koh’s fast, technical play style and a must-have for any player looking to hit that level of speed and perfection. The distribution of weight from the stainless steel rims has clearly been well thought-out and agonized over during the design process, and the results are truly stunning.

Throw Revolution Vertex Profile

LOOKS

Available in solid blue or solid red, the Vertex keeps things simple with very basic engraving. But even simple can be wonderful, and the anodizing colors seem normal at first glance, but upon closer inspection are quite tough and incredibly rich. The blue has a high amount of purple mixed in, resulting in a richness and depth that is difficult to photograph and even more difficult to describe. In person the red teeters on the edge of the same color as fresh blood, no doubt drawn from underestimating the speed of the Vertex and cranking yourself in the face. Both colors are more stunning in person.

VALUE

The Throw Revolution Vertex retails for $180, and is not a casual purchase in price or in play value. The Vertex is a serious yoyo for serious competitors, and worth the investment if you’re a contest player who is chasing every possible advantage on stage. The Vertex is a beautifully made piece of equipment and while it’s expensive…it’s worth it.

BUY THE THROW REVOLUTION VERTEX

The Throw Revolution Vertex is available now through YoYoExpert.

THIS POST SPONSORED BY THROW REVOLUTION.

Filed Under: Featured, Sponsor News, YoYo Spotlight Tagged With: featured, Marcus Koh, sponsored, sponsored post, throw revolution, vertex, yoyo spotlight

YoYo Spotlight – Axis Pulsefire

February 1, 2016 By YoYoNews

Axis YoYos Pulsefire

Axis Pulsefire Specs:

Diameter: 55.9mm
Width: 42.88mm
Weight: 64.7 grams
Response: 19mm pad
Bearing: Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)

The Pulsefire is the first release from Axis YoYos, the new company from all-around nice guys James Reed and Tyler Hsieh. The yoyo is stable, fast, and is well-suited for the highest levels of play in 1A, 3A, and 5A styles. The Pulsefire started off as a crowd-funded project on IndieGoGo, and has quickly become a competition favorite that you can find on stage at pretty much every contest in the US.

PLAY

The Axis Pulsefire is an absolute contest-killer of a yoyo. With a wide v-shape profile and perfect weight distribution, the spin and stability on this yoyo are hard to beat. The combination of an ultra-light 7075 aluminum body with the stainless still rims can easily result in slow, clunky play but the Pulsefire has managed to provide extreme rim-weighting with smooth throws and light, fast play. The shape itself is quite comfortable in the hand and handles both standard and horizontal play with ease. It’s hard to describe, but this yoyo feels like the new new. Maybe it’s the slew of young talent that has immediately gravitated towards Axis and the Pulsefire, maybe it’s the speed that this yoyo naturally seems to want to play; either way, the Axis Pulsefire has gotten a tremendous amount of stage time for a new release and it definitely deserves it.

Axis YoYos Pulsefire

LOOKS

Available in several solid and splash colors, the Pulsefire has come out of the gate looking good. The anodizing is high-quality, with colors and splashes that are chosen and applied well. The fit of the stainless steel rims is perfect, and the seam where the rims meet the body is perfectly smooth and flush. The engraving is simple and clean, and the artwork is outstanding. For a new company to pay such attention to detail and actually show up out of the gate with quality graphic design and a solid brand image is pretty rare, and it’s great to see this much effort and care being put in to the final product.

VALUE

The Axis Pulsefire retails for $120, which is typical for high-quality bi-metal yoyos. The quality construction, anodizing, fit and finish make this worth the price, along with the fact that it can handle any trick you can throw. This is a top-notch competition yoyo, and absolutely worth the price.

BUY THE AXIS PULSEFIRE

The Axis Pulsefire is available now through YoYoExpert.

THIS POST SPONSORED BY AXIS YOYOS.

Filed Under: Featured, YoYo Spotlight Tagged With: axis yoyos, bi metal, featured, James Reed, pulsefire, sponsored, sponsored post, tyler hsieh, yoyo spotlight

Ed Haponik – EH 2015 Release

December 23, 2015 By YoYoNews

TMBR x SPYY x YoYoExpert EH 2015 Ed Haponik

It’s that time again…another year, another glorious special edition wooden yoyo from SPYY x TMBR x YoYoExpert to celebrate everyone’s favorite fixie sage, Ed Haponik! Check out the latest video from Ed and a full description of the yoyo below. YoYoExpert still has a few in stock, but once they’re gone…they’re gone.

In 2012, SPYY team member Ed Haponik took a one year oath to play only a single fixed axle, wooden yo-yo. It was a custom design from SPYY who sponsored him at the time. He completed this goal as of 12/31/12 and documented his efforts on 365yoyotricks.com and in several of his clip videos. Ever since Ed has truly helped to inspire a resurgence in fixed axle play!

In 2015 things have changed. SPYY is no longer around has just re-entered the game with a new Titanium Yo-Yo and Ed is still throwing the best fixed axle tricks around via his Instagram page!

In hopes of continuing this amazing story we decided to approach Ed, SPYY, & TMBR. And again this year, all agreed the story and message behind this great yo-yo needs to live on. The legendary yo-yo he used, The EH, is now re-envisioned once again and available in a limited run.

This year, the limited EH is crafted from WHITE oak. This wood offers a beautiful tight grain that isn’t too porous with an excellent density and smoother feel to the touch. This newest version also comes with one of the coolest axle systems out there – The TMBR Wood Thread Axles! Hand carved by Colin Leland, you will not find anything else like these on the market! After spending some time with the new 2015 EH, Ed thinks it’s the perfect fixed axle yo-yo for tricks like stalls, kickflips, varials, and lunar landings!

The 2015 ‘EH’ is limited to 96 pieces and will not be reproduced. Each EH comes packaged with a special signed note from Ed and one side of the yo-yo features the EH logo engraved with the other left untouched to give it a simple clean look. Play Simply Our Friends!

Start Your Fixed Axle Journey With Tutorials from Ed Haponik HERE!

This post sponsored by YoYoExpert.

Filed Under: Featured, Manufacturer, Players, Sponsor News, Video Tagged With: 2015, ed haponik, eh, featured, sponsored, sponsored post, spyy, tmbr, tmbr toys, wooden yoyo, yoyo tricks, yoyo video, yoyoexpert

YoYo Spotlight – Duncan Bassacuda

December 7, 2015 By YoYoNews

Duncan Bassacuda yoyo

Duncan Bassacuda Specs:

Diameter: 55.96mm
Width: 44.44mm
Weight: 65.4 grams
Response: 19mm pad
Bearing: Dif-e-Yo Konkave Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)

The Bassacuda is the long-awaited signature yoyo for US National Champion, European Open Division Champion and 2-time World Yo-Yo Contest medalist Sebastian Brock. Designed with the Duncan Barracuda as the starting point and then optimized for Sebby’s unique style of play and trick construction, the Bassacuda is a fresh new beast with a totally different feel.

PLAY

The Bassacuda is light, fat, and fast and has a feel that really stands out in the modern yoyo landscape. The fat rims and contoured slope to the gap give the Bassacuda a wide, comfortable feel both in the hand and on the string. The light weight keeps the Bassacuda nimble and able to play incredibly fast, but the wider feel to this yoyo lends itself well to slowing down and giving your tricks room to breathe. It’s a perfect yoyo for Sebby’s style…dense, technical tricks that open up suddenly and pause for air long enough for the entire audience to see and enjoy what is happening. The Bassacuda straddles that line between competition and fun, and is a great all-around throw for any player.

Duncan Bassacuda yoyo

LOOKS

Available in several different editions, the Bassacuda engravings are as unique as Sebby’s tricks. The standard edition has a nautical theme, with a ship’s wheel as the focal point of the side engraving, and with various other icons serving as compass points for a unique engraving in the catch zone of the yoyo, immediately around the response area. There have already been numerous special editions, including an understated and fantastic collaboration with Unknown. The fit and finish are far better than you would expect for a budget metal yoyo, and the various special editions really look great on a yoyo with plenty of real estate for artwork.

Duncan Bassacuda yoyo

VALUE

The Duncan Bassacuda retails for $45 – $50, depending on the edition, and it’s an absolute steal at that price. Great for contests or casual throwing, with enough special editions and colorways that anyone can find something they like, the Bassacuda is the budget metal yoyo we’ve all been waiting for from Duncan Toys.

BUY THE DUNCAN BASSACUDA

The Duncan Bassacuda is available now through YoYoExpert.

THIS POST SPONSORED BY DUNCAN TOYS.

Filed Under: YoYo Spotlight Tagged With: bassacuda, duncan toys, featured, sebastian brock, sponsored, sponsored post, yoyo spotlight

YoYoFactory x YoYoExpert Mystery Box 2015

November 24, 2015 By YoYoNews

2015-YoYoExpert-Mystery-Boxes

The YoYoFactory Mystery Box is back!

In 2010 YoYoExpert joined forces with YoYoFactory to bring you the first ever YoYoFactory Mystery Box! Selling out in seconds we knew each year had to be bigger! By far this is the most sought after release on our site and year after year the mystery boxes are that much more exciting!

The SIXTH ANNUAL MYSTERY BOX RELEASE is here and we promise this is one to be excited about! But which will you choose? Box A or Box B? Regardless of your choice you won’t be disappointed with a guarantee of two yo-yos in the box!


We have a special addition to the 2015 Mystery Boxes. With purchase of a standard Mystery Box you can purchase the new Mystery Product X for just $50! And let’s just say “Good things come in small packages”.

Find Mystery Box A/B Here!

Find Mystery Product X Here!

ALL Mystery Boxes ship FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27TH regardless of purchase date.

These are EXTREMELY LIMITED and will not be around for long. This will NOT BE RESTOCKED either. Please keep in mind a purchase is only completed on the website once payment has been completed. Placing it in your cart DOES NOT reserve it for you. Only completing checkout and receiving an order number via email does. The website generally runs slow during this time due to the number of people attempting to make a purchase at the same time. We appreciate your patience and understanding!

***Limit Two Per Customer Per Type of Box***
***All Mystery Boxes are final sales.
Items received in mystery boxes cannot be returned or exchanged.***

YoYoFactory-Release-Schedule

This post sponsored by YoYoExpert.com.

Filed Under: Manufacturer Tagged With: mystery box, sponsored, sponsored post, yoyoexpert, yoyofactory

YoYo Spotlight – YoYoJam Diamondback II

September 23, 2015 By YoYoNews

YoYoJam Diamondback II

YoYoJam Diamondback II Specs:

Diameter: 55.96 mm
Width: 42.75 mm
Weight: 68 grams
Response: YoYoJam Silicone O-Ring (19mm pad)
Bearing: YoYoJam Speed Bearing Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)

The YoYoJam Diamondback II is a revised version of the Diamondback, re-imagined to meet the more demanding needs of today’s players. While the original Diamondback was an excellent competition yoyo, the Diamondback II revisits the weight distribution to put even more power in the player’s hands.

PLAY

The Diamondback II has a truly distinctive feel in the hand and on the string. The body thickness and profile give this yoyo an amazing ringing sound during play that we’ve never heard from any other yoyo. The result is an absolutely unique playing experience, something that YoYoJam has delivered time and time again over the history of their company. Redesigned by YoYoJam to be the signature model for team member Tylor McCallumore, the weight distribution on the Diamondback II gives the player an incredible amount of spin and stability, making this a top choice for long, involved combos that push your equipment to its limits.

Diamondback2

LOOKS

Available only in black or light blue, the Diamondback two is a visually simplistic yoyo. The heavy decoration of the first model is gone, with the Diamondback II only showing off a simple “TM” logo on the hub for Tylor McCallumore, and some text on a flat wall inside the cup. The contrast of the wide nickel-bronze weight ring against the black anodized body looks fantastic, and the light blue version will be perfect for stage work.

VALUE

The YoYoJam Diamondback II retails for $136, which is average for a high-quality bi-metal yoyo. Not a casual purchase, but if you’re a YoYoJam fan looking for your next contest killer, or just an aspiring contest player looking for something different to get the job done, the Diamondback II is a great choice.

BUY THE YOYOJAM DIAMONDBACK II

The YoYoJam Diamondback II is available now at YoYoExpert.com.

THIS POST SPONSORED BY YOYOJAM.

Filed Under: YoYo Spotlight Tagged With: diamondback II, featured, sponsored, sponsored post, tylor mccallumore, yoyo spotlight, YoYoJam

2016 World YoYo Contest Announced In Cleveland, Ohio

August 23, 2015 By YoYoNews

2016 World YoYo Contest Cleveland Ohio

The 2016 World YoYo Contest location has officially been announced, and it’s Cleveland, Ohio! National YoYo Master and YoYoNews editor Steve Brown will be the lead organizer for the event, with support from the Cleveland Sports Commission, International YoYo Federation, and US National YoYo League.

Cleveland was ranked one of the Top Ten best food cities in the United States by TIME Magazine and Jetsetter, and has been called one of the best cities to visit in 2015 by Travel + Leisure, the LA Times, Fodor’s Travel, and Forbes.

Recently, more than $16.7 billion of public and private investment has been pumped into Downtown Cleveland, including nearly $3 billion of visitor-related infrastructure development. Cleveland currently sees more than 16 million tourist visitors annually.

The event will take place in downtown Cleveland, within walking distance of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and some of the very best restaurants the city has to offer including Michael Symon’s Lola and Jonathan Sawyer’s Greenhouse Tavern. The official venue will be announced soon.

For more information, please sign up for the email list at the official contest website Worlds16.com.

 

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: 2016 world yoyo contest, cleveland, cleveland sports commission, featured, international yoyo federation, national yoyo league, ohio, world yoyo contest

Interview – 2014 WYYC AP Champion Spination

August 5, 2015 By YoYoNews

wyyc2014_ap_1st_spination-1024x682

(This interview appears courtesy of the 2015 World YoYo Contest.)

Interview Key
T: TOMMY (aka Tomiyuki Watanabe)
S: SOUL (aka Yu Kawada)

Q1. When did you start playing yo-yo?

T: In August of 1997.

S: I don’t remember well, but probably around the spring of 1997.

Q2. Why did you start playing yo-yo?

T: A manga called “Moero Spinner” [something like “Burn up Spinner” in English] was being published in Coro Coro Comic magazine and I saw it and thought it was “Cool!”

S: For some reason or another, I picked up a yo-yo from the display on the right-hand side near the entrance of a toy store. That was the beginning.

Q3. Who are some of the yo-yo players you respect/admire/look up to?

T: Yu Kawada – He was the reason the AP Division was established, and he is the only one I will go to for an opinion about my yo-yo performance [and vice versa].
Hironori Mii – He was the person who got me to participate in the World Contest [for the first time] and I wouldn’t be who I am now without him.
Hiroyuki Suzuki – Even while the younger generation keeps moving up, he’s still fighting at the top, and the cleanness of his tricks is on another level.
Takuma Yamamoto & Tsubasa Onishi – I watch their freestyles and think they’re really incredible. Their attitude is like an athlete’s.

S: TOMMY – There is no one who surpasses his ability to express with a yo-yo.
Hiroyuki Suzuki, Kengo Kido, Atsushi Yamada – As well as being yo-yo players, they all have started their own brands and stand out as leaders [in the yo-yo world].

Q4. What made you two come together to form SPINATION?

T: In 2012 I was planning a performance project and I invited Yu and we performed together. After that [we realized] we are both World Champions and are both mainstays of the AP Division! If we join forces we can’t lose!! Then, not only just at Worlds, we started doing real theater and other performances [together].

S: I hadn’t entered the World Contest since 2006, but I began to have some strong feelings about the AP Division itself. The feeling of wanting to enter the AP Division began to overflow [in me]. However, I also felt like there was a limit to what I could accomplish as a solo act.
In my thinking, the power of expression and the number of things one can do can increase with the number of people participating. I came to the conclusion that for yo-yo and the AP Division to get on the same level as other entertainment fields, it was necessary to form a team of high level players and make an attempt at something bigger.
It was there that [I decided] to join up with TOMMY, someone who had been away from the yo-yo world for a while and was working as a professional in the entertainment world, but who had the same high level of thinking [about AP as I did]. SPINATION was formed with the goal of broadening the possibilities of yo-yo and moving closer to first-class entertainment.

Q5. Usually, what kind of performance activity do you do as SPINATION?

T: For the most part, our main focus is on domestic street performance festivals. We also do performances at other types of events. From now on we are also proactively working toward developing theater stage shows.

Q6. I would imagine that there might be some difficulties with practicing together. Can you tell us about some of your experiences?

T: The most difficult thing is that our practice time together is very limited. We are based in Aichi [Prefecture] and Tokyo so it is fairly hard for the two of us to make enough time. In order to practice together, one of us has to travel to where the other is, so the journey itself is rough. Haha…

S: Creating a performance that both of us can be satisfied with is difficult. Together, we have a strong mutual understanding so things often go smoothly, however we don’t always agree on things like choreography, tricks used, or the direction [of an idea]. Thus, doing something new is a difficult process, but we do our best to have confidence in performing each [show] we have produced.

Q7. Do you have any good stories from last year, before you became world champions, that you want to share with us?

T: First of all, last year we had a fairly hard time deciding on our music. We had decided the theme and image [we were going for] first, but neither of us came across the right music and practicing [under those circumstances] was rough… We practiced hard like that for three weeks, but at the end both of us thought,”We can’t win with this so let’s scrap the whole thing.” Haha…
The biggest episode of all was Yu’s sudden health collapse the day before our AP Final performance. We still don’t know the cause, but he experienced more than 24 hours of horrible gastrointestinal issues and was completely unable to eat or drink. He was in no condition to be performing. The night before we were seriously considering withdrawing from the competition. Yu falling down at the end of our freestyle video is real evidence that he had reached his limit in more ways than one.

S: That’s right. I fell totally ill right before our performance. It was the first time in my life that even just standing was painful. Your body is an investment, so it’s really important to take care of yourself, especially when you are in a foreign country. Everyone, please take care! With water and raw foods especially.

Q8. How did you feel when you became world champions?

T: I was so happy we repeated our championship!

S: So glad!!!

Q9. Is there anything that changed for you after becoming world champions?

S: Nothing has really changed, but I would like to make movement toward holding the AP Division in Japan [Translator’s note: we think he means at Japan Nationals].

Q10. How do you feel going into this year’s World Yo-Yo Contest?

T: We will definitely win for the third consecutive time! We hope that we will be able to pull off a performance that will make you think “It’s just like SPINATION [to do something like this]!” Please cheer for us!!

Q11. What is yo-yo to you?

T: It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that it’s my “Partner in life.” Haha…
It is also like a part of my body, as well as the thing that gave me infinite possibilities of expressing myself.

S: It is one aspect of my own possibilities.

Filed Under: Interview Tagged With: Interview, spination, tomiyuki watanabe, world yoyo contest, yoyo performance, yoyo tricks, yoyo video, yu kawada

YoYo Spotlight – Rebellion Butcher

August 5, 2015 By YoYoNews

YoYoRecreation Rebellion Butcher

Rebellion Butcher Specs:

Diameter: 55.03 mm
Width: 42.98 mm
Gap: 4.50 mm
Weight: 68 grams
Response: 19mm Slim Pads
Bearing: Konkave Size C (.250 x .500 x .187)

The Butcher is part of the first wave of releases from Rebellion, a budget line of yoyos created by Kengo Kido and Piotrek Smietana of YoYoRecreation.

PLAY

The Butcher is a budget-friendly aluminum yoyo, based slightly on the design of the YoYoRecreation Mr. Butcher. Featuring a slimmer profile than the rest of the Rebellion line, the Butcher is ideal for ultra-complicated 1A play that requires fast movement through a lot of string segments, or 3A play which is always helped by a slightly narrower yoyo. Fast, stable, and long spinning, the Butcher is also dead smooth, to the point that it’s hard to admit it’s a “budget” model. Considered among plays to be one of the best all-around players of the Rebellion line so far, the Butcher can handle all your tricks and more.

LOOKS

The fit and finish on all of the Rebellion models are excellent for a line of budget yoyos. Available in solid colors only, the Rebellion line is meant to be a solid value with a simple aesthetic. Packed in a stamped cardboard box, the Rebellion line features only a simple engraving with its name and the brand’s flag icon.. Simple and straightforward, this model is meant for players.

VALUE

The Rebellion Butcher retails for just $56, making it an amazing value for the serious player on a budget. With high quality manufacturing and great play value, the Butcher is unbelievably good and meets or exceeds the value of most other yoyos in this price range. The Butcher looks, plays, and holds up like a far more expensive yoyo, and should serve you well.

BUY THE REBELLION BUTCHER

The Rebellion Butcher is available now at YoYoExpert.com.

THIS POST SPONSORED BY REBELLION.

Filed Under: YoYo Spotlight Tagged With: butcher, featured, rebellion, sponsored, sponsored post, yoyo spotlight, yoyorecreation

Duncan Toys IYYC Profile – Hank Freeman

July 28, 2015 By YoYoNews

Duncan Toys International YoYo Championship

Duncan Toys is hosting their second International YoYo Championship on Saturday, August 8th at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California!

RSVP for the event on Facebook, and join the Duncan Crew and other fantastic yoyo players as they compete for thousands of dollars in cash and prizes! There will also be special appearances by LA Lakers basketball player Jordan Clarkson, and the Laker Girls!

ESPN and Duncan Toys have co-produced a series of player profile videos of the Duncan Crew to promote the event; check out this profile of 3x World and National YoYo Champion and Duncan Crew member Hank Freeman.

THIS POST SPONSORED BY DUNCAN TOYS.

Filed Under: Contests, Sponsor News Tagged With: anaheim, disney land, downtown disney, duncan toys, featured, hank freeman, international yoyo championship, jordan clarkson, laker girls, lakers, sponsor news, sponsored, yoyo contest, yoyo tricks, yoyo video

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