YoYo Related News From Around The World
Duncan Toys has released their second Duncan Crew Worldwide video, showing off the talents of their international roster of talent. This second volume features David Bolgarfalvy, Maya Nakamura, Sean Perez, Chris Makita, Mimi Makita, Ondra Sedivy, Adam Hříbal, Alif Izwan, János Karancz, and Gergő Domonkos.
If you missed it, check out the first one here: Duncan Crew Worldwide Chapter 1.
As we gear up for the 2013 World YoYo Contest, we take a step back to appreciate and admire the greats of years past. We will be posting the top 5 in each division in the weeks leading up to the World YoYo Contest.
The mastery of a single style speaks to the greatness of the individual yoyoer; endless hours of practice and innovation are crucial to success. Now imagine doubling that: this is what these five individuals have managed to do at an extremely high level. Being elite in two or more divisions is perhaps one of the most incredible displays of talent possible in the world of yoyo and those who endure the challenges deserve recognition.
5. Shane Karan – 
Shane is the only American to win two divisions at the US National competition in the same year. This feat is very unlikely to ever occur again and thus cements Shane’s spot as a legend of multiple division competition. Additionally, Shane is extremely skilled in 2A remaining competitive in every competition he has entered. Shane’s diverse skill set is why he deserves a spot on this list.
4. Shinji Saito – 
Everyone knows Shinji for his incredible 2A, but not everyone knows Shinji is an overall yo-yo king. Shinji is the only player to ever win the combined division on the World stage which certainly speaks to his multiple division skill; however, Shinji has never out right seriously competed in any division but 2A (which is why he remains fourth on this list) until 2013 where he took 2nd in 1A at the East Japan Regional. It is probable that Shinji could have dominated any division he wanted to–it just so happens it was 2A.
3. John Ando –
John was always known for his 2A. Rarely was he seen without two yo-yos on stage, if at all. He took four 2A National titles home before he even won a 1A title, but in 2008 he burst on the scene taking the top spot at one of Japan’s most competitive regionals, East Japan. From there he immediately took his 1A to the next level and won perhaps one of the least expected 1A titles ever with a routine that changed the entire trajectory of the community.
2. Maya Nakamura –
Maya Nakamura is the only player to take top 2 in two divisions at the World competition in the same year–taking the 5A title home and placing 2nd in 3A. Maya remains a competitive 5A player today but her 3A, which she appears to have retired from, was equally as competitive in the past taking home the National title. Wildly entertaining and amongst the greats of counterweight, Maya is often underappreciated in her contributions to 3A.
1. Takeshi Matsuura-
Takeshi is perhaps one of the greatest yo-yoers of all time. His domination of the 5A division is obvious but his unique double-National title in 2010, which is a feat few have ever accomplished, demonstrates Takeshi is elite in all aspects of yo-yo. Additionally, he is extremely competitive in 1A, managing to make to the finals through prelims at the World competition and placing extremely high at Japan Nationals. Takeshi is the pinnacle of multiple division skill–incredible in three divisions.
Honorable Mentions: All THP greats in both 2A and 1A
Who do you think are the greatest multiple division players of all time? Feel free to post your thoughts below!
As a reminder, these rankings take into consideration competitive players from around 2000 and on.
As we gear up for the 2013 World YoYo Contest, we take a step back to appreciate and admire the greats of years past. We will be posting the top 5 in each division in the weeks leading up to the World Yo-Yo Contest.
Triple A is another style that has roots in the Duncan demonstrators of the 50s and 60s, but it took a modern player to see the potential and bring it into the current day. Early promotional images of Duncan demonstrator Wayne Lundberg show the most rudimentary of 3A play….a Sleeper with one hand, a Trapeze from the other. With the wooden yoyos of the 50s and 60s, this is generally all that was possible, but with the move from fixed axles to ball-bearing axles in the 90s, suddenly the equipment could handle a lot more. In 1998, Mark McBride created the first string trick involving two spinning yoyos, Velvet Rolls. Created as part of a bet with Steve Brown, Velvet Rolls is the trick that served as the catalyst for modern 3A play. From there, McBride worked on dual-mount tricks and kink mounts, while Brown focused on “assisted” 3A tricks…using one yoyo as a slave to create an additional anchor point within a trick. From early tricks like Assisted Suicide (ironically still one of the most difficult single tricks) and Blue Line Rolls came the foundation of modern 3A play; brought from being a “parking lot” division held for fun after established contests to one of the most complicated and difficult divisions in competitive yoyoing, 3A has grown tremendously and is one of the fastest growing divisions today.
5. Paul Yath –
A huge early innovator with concepts that combined 2A and 3A, Paul paved the way to what is now modern 3A. Complex tech tricks, visually appealing mounts and tangler combos, Paul had it all. Capturing a world title in 2006, as well as multiple National titles over some others players on this list, Paul demonstrated why he is one of the greats.
4. Hiroki Miyamoto –
Bursting on the scene at the Central Japan regional competition, Miyamoto brought to the stage tricks that had concepts never before been attempted. His unmistakable methodical style saw him to the top spot in the world of 3A in 2008. Many of his tricks from 2007-2008 would still hold up against todays competition. He injected a level of innovation that took 3A to a whole different level and thus earned his spot as one of the greatest to ever throw the style.
3. Hank Freeman –
With unmatched flow and ease, Hank is quickly cementing his place in the 3A hall of fame. With three National titles and back-to-back World titles, Hank proved what so many knew for so long—he’s incredible. Hank’s personality shines bright on stage with his laid back attitude when performing extremely difficult tricks. If Hank decides to continue competing, he may take over the greatest of all time in 3A.
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2. Kentaro Kimura – /
The single most incredible 3 minutes of 3A yo-yoing belongs to this man. After several previous years of disappointment, Kentaro beamed with confidence after he completed the legendary 2009 routine. Kentaro is perhaps one of the fastest 3A players of all time and innovated a style of 3A that is very popular today. He is undeniably one of the greatest, and with his recent decision to compete again he may have more to add to his list of achievements.
1. Daisuke Shimada –
Daisuke Shimada brought so much to 3A, it is very easy to put him at the top. With four World titles as testimony, his level of play was far beyond anyone at the time; creator of possibly the most visually impressive single trick in Sword Dancers in 2004, Daisuke still blows minds with his trick in 2013. He has proved his influence on the style and inspired many to start. Daisuke is the greatest 3A player of all time.
Honorable Mentions: Yuki Tanami (World Champion), Minato Furuta (World Champion), Maya Nakamura (National Champion), Jun Aramaki (Regional Champion) , Masanobu Iwata (Regional Champion)
Who do you think are the greatest 3A players of all time? Feel free to post your thoughts below!
As a reminder, these rankings take into consideration competitive players from around 2000 and on.
YoYoNews battles return with a Duncan deathmatch! This week, old school 5A hero Maya Nakamura is taking on new school 5A upstart Drew Tetz in a Duncan Crew Deathmatch. Who will survive? Well, probably both of us, but it’s a bunch of exciting tricks so you should definitely check it out and vote. Maya brings the style & grace that we’ve come to expect from Japan’s counterweight queen with two high-level manuevers, one making a cheeky reference to classic trick Rock the Baby and the other a slick new triangle entrance, and I brought out the longest pinwheel/wrap combo I’ve ever done.
Not bad, eh? This battle is especially exciting for me because Maya’s winning 5A freestyle at ’05 Worlds was the first thing that made me want to take 5A seriously. It’s an honor to throw against such a talented & influential player. Vote below, and make sure to tell us who you voted for and why in the comments!
…also, if you wanna see my trick in slow motion you should click here, and if you wanna download the song you can do that here.