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Top 5 Most Egregiously Awful YoYos of All Time

March 6, 2014 By Ed Haponik

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I’m not sure how many yo-yo’s I’ve played since I first picked up a Midnight Special in the late 80’s. In any case, the number has been significant enough for me to feel appropriately entitled to write this article, whether or not my opinion has merit. Though most people know me as a pretty positive (and/or flakey) guy, and it may not seem like the kind of thing I’d say, there really IS such a thing as a bad yoyo. A yoyo can be “bad” in a few distinct ways. For example, it can not perform as intended or as advertised. It can be fragile, breaking into a dozen poorly-designed pieces upon its first tentative throw. It can LOOK or SEEM so hopelessly dorky that even massive dorks will, themselves, wish to eschew yoyoing so as to improve their social standing.

I have no hope of possibly encapsulating everyone’s least favorite yoyo’s in any top 5, as this kind of list could only ever be subjective. In terms of play, I bet the old Bandai/Yomega Firestorm could probably run literal circles around the first Flores models. Does that alone make them “better”? Sweet lord, child, NO IT DOES NOT. You have to consider the historical context, and in so doing recognize that by the time the hopeless Firestorm came out, there was SUCH A THING as an awesome yoyo, making its craptastic qualities shine all the brighter in relief. And keep in mind, that piece of garbage didn’t even make the list!

It’s definitely important to celebrate the good in our community. Honestly, I think we do that quite a lot. However, there’s also a place for pointing out the idiotic, absurd, and downright horrific, not necessarily to jeer (although in this case, I probably will) but to say, collectively “Good lord, how did the world allow that to happen?!” And thus, I present for your consideration my Top 5 Most Egregiously Awful Yo-Yo’s of All Time:

Yomega Panther

So heavy. So terrible.

5. Yomega Panther: This was such a trainwreck on so many levels. I’ll grant you I’ve only played it once, at the home of Virginia yo-yoer Tony Basch, who gingerly presented it as a mad scientist might some medical oddity in a jar of formaldehyde. Anyway, that was plenty. Honestly, it’s kind of like when Gandalf ALMOST touches the Ring of Power and senses the Eye of Sauron’s presence within it. Where true evil is concerned, a touch is all you need. So Yomega wanted to make a wooden fixed axle yo-yo, which given their yeoman’s effort spent popularizing transaxles, I guess, seemed like a no-brainer (PUN!). Unfortunately, they elected to take a brick-like wooden profile, paint it black, and emblazon on an exquisitely boring graphic which looks more like a double-jointed kid’s sock puppet than an actual panther. All this would be forgivable, had Yomega not then opted to slap a pair of rubber rims over the gap’s circumference. Ostensibly, the rims were there to “protect the yo-yoer’s hands”, which is kind of funny since their addition makes the yo-yo snag unpredictably and somehow dart directly for the user’s skull (JUST LIKE A PANTHER!). Even at a time when Yomega dominated the scene and decent yo-yo’s were relatively few and far-between, there was no risk of running into any sane person who would admit to liking the Panther, which legitimizes its position on this list.

Duncan Yoffy

To use a larger picture would be to unfairly add prestige to this pile of crap.

4. Duncan Yoffy: I’m sorry, Drew Tetz. I know you can do awesome stuff with it. Honestly, you could probably do awesome stuff with some bungee cord attached to my idiot beagle who, just like this yo-yo, eats cat poop. Is this even a yo-yo? I dunno. It seems like the manifestation of some marketing executive’s 2-day-old sushi-infused dream. You know how Pizza Hut is always coming up with new things to DO to pizza (the Insider™, the Edge®, the CheesyBites© – HOW BOUT YOU JUST MAKE A GOOD PIZZA)? The Yoffy is basically the yo-yo equivalent of the P’Zone©™®, and was just as gross. I really want to know how the idea was initially pitched. “Ok guys, let me ask you… what is it that kids love more than anything? RAINBOW RIBBONS, right? And we KNOW they love not being able to make a yo-yo work…” It was a marriage made in the putrescent, bile-stinking sewers of heaven. Needless to say, the Yoffy is pretty much an Imperial, but with one of Mork’s suspenders replacing the string. As such, the only hope this thing ever had for redemption was to be picked up by Drew as a novelty. I’m being merciful in placing it at #4.

YoYoJam Big Kahuna

It hurts so much.

3. YoYoJam Big Kahuna: YoYoJam is kind of like the Jurassic Park of the yo-yo scene – just because you have the TECHNOLOGY to wrap a yo-yo in purple lightning bolts does not mean you HAVE TO USE IT. Indeed, when running down the list of yo-yo’s which cause me to barf in my mouth a little, roughly half of the offenders are YoYoJams.

The Triple Jam. The JamBoo. The Phat Boy. Oh sure, YoYoJam knows how to make an ugly yo-yo. But unfortunately (for this list), most of their stuff plays pretty well. There have been some fragile models (original X-Con), some horribly named ones (Speed Maker?), and some abysmal players (Evo) in YYJ’s history, but nothing that represents the perfect storm of awful play and aesthetics which would land them the dubious distinction of inclusion on this list… Nothing that is, except The Big Kahuna. This model was released way back in YYJ’s early history, and they’ve certainly righted the ship since. Still, this thing was a sucktastic wrecking ball (or would be, if wrecking balls were thin and cylindrical with heavy, bladelike rims). The Kahuna had no response mechanism aside from its tapered gap, which was so narrow and unforgiving as to snag unbidden more often than not. As a result, the yo-yo would dive-bomb its user at random, bludgeoning his knuckles and palms into a pulpy, quivering mush. Add in the hot-stamped party font and the striking graphic (which may or may not represent a breaking wave), and we’ve got a winner. By which I mean loser. To their credit, YYJ discontinued this guy after just a few months, but that’s still a few months of kids beating themselves about the head and neck with a sharp, ugly yo-yo.

Throw Down Lucha Libre

I had no idea that turds came in “white”.

2. Throw Down Lucha Libre: It’s hard for me to put this on here, because at one point I was sponsored by Throw Down, but the Lucha Libre definitely finds a home on this list. It’s not every day that a yo-yo is released which is so hopelessly bad that it results in the complete obliteration of the company which made it. The Lucha Libre was intended to be a delrin version of the popular Luchador, an angular metal model which sold out in 3 different versions. The first prototype of the LL I received was way too light, but played great. It had one of the enormously thick Dif-e-Yo style axles and recessed silicone response. I was worried that the plastic bearing seat would develop problems, but other models (the Gung Fu and the Silk) had similar guts and were reasonably well-liked. Without consulting its team on the design, however, Throw Down elected to go with a cockamamie, over-complicated design, using a thinner axle, spiked hex-nuts, metal shims, and [most unfortunately] paper-thin walls around the bearing seat. The final version was never tested by the team, and I received a pair of them in the mail on the day after they released at Yoyonation.com. The first one broke within an hour of playing it, cracking in a concentric circle around the hex nut. As became clear to everyone who bought it, the Lucha Libre would fall apart under the lightest contact imaginable, either in the way I experienced or with the bearing seat itself snapping off. I heard of LL’s breaking when they hit the ground, when overtightened, when regular-tightened, when CAUGHT. How does a yo-yo break when it hits your fleshy palm?!?! Throw Down’s owner was a good guy, and he promised to refund or replace any and all broken Lucha Libre’s. Unfortunately, in the span of a few weeks, at least 90% of the run had fallen apart in this way. Financially, Throw Down was just as fragile as its yo-yo’s, and there was no way it could afford to replace an entire run of failed stock. The company folded under the weight of its impossible promise and broken reputation. A sad but cautionary tale to all manufacturers who would try to bypass adequate testing.

Rev G YoYo

All hail the undisputed King of Suck!

1. Revolution Rev-G: This is so obvious that I’m afraid it may be an anticlimax, but I guess that alone tells you something about the legendary Rev-G. Personally, I have never been more disappointed with a yo-yo than this one, and that includes the Lucha Libre, which ended my first yo-yo sponsorship. I first tried a Rev-G in my local shopping mall around Y2K. Most yo-yo’s were still pretty cheap back then, and its $80 price point put it right up there with the Cold Fusion and SB-2 in terms of “luxury” expectations. And honestly, I’ll admit that my late-90’s ridiculously-wide-jeans, bleached-hair self thought the Rev-G looked pretty flippin’ sweet. For one, it had a carbon fiber body. CARBON FIBER. Like in Formula One cars and the bones of those Avatar aliens! And yet again, it not only had rubber o-rings stretched around the rims, but also came with a protective, adjustable, silicone finger sleeve which further cushioned your squishy hands from that evil bully, yo-yo string. It was like Yo-Tape that you could use again and again… or would have been, if ANYONE had EVER wanted to use the Rev-G more than once. Sadly, this is the kind of product you get when otherwise intelligent people get together to design something they know nothing about. Revolution was a kite company. Know what would happen if I tried designing a kite? Me either, but it would probably involve some kids in a park with subdural hematoma and a whole lotta lawsuits.

There were a couple things wrong with the Rev-G to put it in this echelon of suck. Most notably, it just didn’t work. Like the aforementioned Kahuna, it had a super-thin gap and a huge diameter, making it uncomfortable to hold and difficult to catch. It was “rim-weighted”, sure, but the whole structure was way too light and unstable. Like some horrible belligerent drunkard, it would wobble and convulse and constantly try to pick a fight. And despite its “aerospace” billing and luxury accoutrements, it was easily outplayed by far less expensive yo-yo’s. Most people will buy an expensive yo-yo, and after doing so will attempt to defend it from criticism, even if it stinks. No one wants to feel like a big dummy for being duped into dropping $80 for a carbon fiber paperweight (which is only heavy enough to hold down like 8 papers). Incredibly though, I have NEVER spoken to anyone who has played or owned a Rev-G who had anything good to say about the way it played. (Granted, it’s hard to talk to most of the people who bought one, since they have changed their name and left the country, their reputation in shambles). Over the years, the Rev-G’s legend has only grown, as like a mighty Spartan warrior, it has fought and clambered its way over the corpses of the most atrocious yo-yo’s to sit, unchallenged, atop the throne of ultimate lameness…

And there you have it! Hopefully, I didn’t tick anyone off too bad. I’m actually a big believer in having fun with any yo-yo. Still, I can’t imagine that even in a vast internet world populated by flame-spewers who will say anything for attention, no one will cop to really liking any one of these. And I have to assume that most of the people responsible for their design either inadvertently blew themselves up in a makeshift lab somewhere or else are incarcerated. If nothing else, each of these yo-yo’s certainly represents a “crime against humanity”. Got a problem with my picks? Have a better awful yo-yo in mind? Let me hear it in the comments. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go heat up this P’Zone.

Filed Under: General News Tagged With: big kahuna, duncan toys, featured, lucha libre, panther, rev g, revolution, throw down, top 5, top five, worst yoyos, yoffy, yomega, YoYoJam

Top 5 Multiple Division Yo-Yo Players of All-Time

August 3, 2013 By Patrick Borgerding

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.

Top Five Multi Division

5. Shane Karan – USA_flag

  • 1x National Champion (5A), 1x National Champion (4A), 1x Regional Champion (4A), 1x Regional Champion (2A), 1x State Champion (2A)

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 – japanese_flag

  • 4x World Champion (Combined Division), 8x World Champion (2A), 2x Asia Champion (2A), 2x National Champion (2A), 1x Regional Champion (2A), 1x 2nd Place Regional (1A)

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 – USA_flag

  • 1x World Champion (1A), 4x National Champion (2A), 1x Regional Champion (1A)

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 –  japanese_flag

  • 1x World Champion (5A), 1x 2nd Place World (3A), 1x National Champion (3A), 1x 2nd Place National (5A), 1x Regional Champion (3A)

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- japanese_flag

  • 4x World Champion (5A), 2x Asia Champion (5A), 1x 2nd Place Asia Champion (3A), 5x National Champion (5A), 1x National Champion (3A), 1x 2nd Place Nationals (3A), 1x 4th Nationals (1A), 4x Regional Champion (5A), 1x Regional Champion (1A)

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.

Filed Under: Contests, Players Tagged With: 5a may, contest, john ando, Maya Nakamura, multi division, national champion, shane karan, shinji saito, takeshi matsuura, top 5, top five, world champion

Top 5 1A Yo-Yo Players of All-Time

August 2, 2013 By Patrick Borgerding

As we gear up for the 2013 World Yo-Yo 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.

The Single A Division has grown and evolved from the division for people who “couldn’t play two-handed” into the most creative and competitive division in every single yoyo contest in the world. At any given contest, the number of contestants in the 1A Division will outnumber all other divisions combined by 5 to 1. One yoyo, one string, endless possibilities. It was difficult to select only five players for our list…we could easily have filled a Top 20. But the players listed below have proven themselves above and beyond their competition, and have inspired entire generations of players to follow them.

YoYoNews Top 5 1A Players Of All Time

5. Johnnie DelValle – USA_flag

  • 1x World Champion, 1x National Champion, 1x Regional Champion, 2x State Champion

 In 2003 Johnnie DelValle won the big three: Bay Area Classic, US Nationals and Worlds. In his iconic 2003 World routine he was the first to ever incorporate a range of body, finger and arm grinds into his routines. In addition, he had technical slack and a striking stage presence (who could forget the dramatic removal of his over shirt?) that perfectly complimented his style.

4. Jensen Kimmitt – ca-mdflag

  • 1x World Champion, 2x National Champion, 4x Regional Champion, 2x State Champion

Jensen’s run to the world title in 2010 saw a man unbeatable. With an array of US  contest wins at the Bay Area Classic, Pacific Northwest, California State, and twice Japan’s 44 Clash, Jensen dominated parts of 2009 and all of 2010 capped off by his decisive win on the World stage. Jensen was known for his incredible flow and style in combination with his eccentric personality which inspired endless yo-yoers. Jensen remains an inspiring figure in yo-yo today.

3. Tomonari ‘Black’ Ishiguro – japanese_flag

  • 1x World Champion, 2x National Champion

Innovator of some of the most classic string tricks today, Tomonari ‘Black’ Ishiguro was rewarded with a world title in 2001. Many of his trick elements are still in use today and that only speaks to the level of creativity ‘Black’ brought to the table. His unforgettable performances, most popularly his matrix themed routines, demonstrated he was more than just a competitor; now retired, Black is a full time performer and inspiring many more through the theatrical aspect of yo-yoing as well as his wildly popular TED Talk.

 2. Yuuki Spencer –  USA_flag

  • 2x World Champion, 3x National Champion, 4x Regional Champion, 3x State Champion

Another innovator of some of the most classic string tricks today, Yuuki Spencer is undoubtedly a legend in the world of yo-yo. As the only player other than Hiroyuki to win more than one world title in 1A, Yuuki is technically unmatched. His 2002 and 2007 routine both demonstrated his creativity; in particular Yuuki’s 2007 routine injected a level of intensity and energy that was unheard of at any level of yo-yo competitions. Yuuki’s contributions to yo-yo bolster his resume and secure his spot near the top of yo-yo’s most competitive division.

1. Hiroyuki Suzuki – japanese_flag

  • 4x World Champion, 7x Asia Champion, 6x National Champion, 9x Regional Champion

Over a decade of top 3 placing in the World—it is not difficult to place Hiroyuki ‘Mickey’ Suzuki as the greatest single A player. His incredible choreography, ridiculous speed and technically difficult tricks have proven time and time again why he is the best. Capturing his fourth World title after a full eight years after his first, Hiroyuki has managed to maintain an incredible pace of innovation, accuracy and passion. With no signs of slowing down or retiring from competition, he is clearly not done.

Honorable Mentions: John Ando (World Champion), Marcus Koh (World Champion), Jason Lee (National Champion), Paul Han (National Champion)

Who do you think are the greatest 1A 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.

Filed Under: General News, Players Tagged With: 1A, black, featured, GOAT, hiroyuki suzuki, jason lee, jensen kimmitt, john ando, johnnie delvalle, Marcus Koh, tomonari ishiguro, top 5, top five, world yoyo champion, yuuki spencer

Top 5 2A Yo-Yo Players of All-Time

August 1, 2013 By Patrick Borgerding

As we gear up for the 2013 World Yo-Yo 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.

From the earliest days of yoyo demonstrators, beginning with the Flores YoYo Company in the 1920s, two-handed yoyo play was set as the pinnacle of skill. Demonstrators would whip out a pair of yoyos and kids’ jaws would drop and their parents wallets would open…it was the ultimate demonstration of mastery. With the intense development of 1A and the invention and popularization of the alternate styles, two-handed looping has lost its mystique a bit…but the top levels of play are nothing short of staggering. Two-handed looping remains one of the most visually stunning forms of yoyoing, and while the skill barrier for this division gets higher every year, those who have put in the time and work to master it continue to blow minds every year.

YoYoNews Top 5 2A Players

5. Matt Harlow – USA_flag

  • 1x World Champion, 2x National Champion, 1x Regional Champion

Known for his blistering speed which shattered and destroyed many yo-yos and snapped equally as many strings, Matt infamously snapped a string one year and World YoYo Contest judge Dennis McBride took a yoyo at full speed, right in the chest. (In Dennis’ credit, he shook it off and kept clicking, establishing for all time that he was secretly a superhero.) Back when 2A was the measure of a great yo-yo player, Matt took the top spot at the World level. Matt brought a lot to the double looping division when wraps were just being introduced and tangler combos were in their infant stages.

4. Hiraku Fujii – japanese_flag

  • 2x Asia Champion, 2x National Champion, 5x Regional Champion

A staple in the 2A division for almost a decade, Hiraku has taken the top spot at Japan Nationals numerous times as well as consistently winning his Regional competition.  His technical skill and choreography have remained superb for years. Once again, Hiraku could not top Shinji’s dominance, but his longevity in the division, placing third at the World contest in 2012, earns him a spot on the list.

3. Takuma Yamamoto – japanese_flag

  • 1x World Champion, 2x National Champion, 3x Regional Champion

The only person to put a blemish on the list of accomplishments of Shinji Saito, Takuma Yamamoto immediately earned a spot as one of the greatest.  His technical 2A is unmatched today, above and beyond the best in the world right now, and his recent double-digit win at Japan Nationals only proves that notion. With several more National titles to back his 2008 World title in which he beat Shinji, Takuma is still a fiercely competitive 2A player moving forward.

 2. Koji Yokoyama – japanese_flag

  • 2x Asia Champion, 2x National Champion, 5x Regional Champion

Koji will be the highest ranked player to never win a world title—stymied by the greatness of Shinji. But it is undeniable, Koji was one of the most electrifying performers and toughest competitors. With an unmatched eight second place finishes in 2A on the World stage, Koji Yokoyama demonstrated great creativity and passion for the sport while maintaining runner-up for almost a decade and some would argue deserved the top spot in 2007.  Winning the title at Japan Nationals and Asia Pacific only adds to this man’s great legacy.

1. Shinji Saito – japanese_flag

  • 8x World Champion, 2x Asia Champion, 2x National Champion, 1x Regional Champion

Were you expecting anyone else? The single most dominant yo-yo player of all time. His near perfect record only speaks to his greatness. Technically skilled, innovative and overall endlessly entertaining—eight 2A World titles to show for it—Shinji Saito is the all-time greatest 2A player and has a strong argument for the greatest yo-yoer of all time. Period.

Honorable Mentions: Yasushi Furukawa (World Champion), Shu Takada (World Champion), John Ando (4x National Champion), Patrick Mitchell (2x National Champion)

Who do you think are the greatest 2A 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.

Filed Under: General News, Players Tagged With: 2A, featured, hiraku fujii, john ando, koji yokoyama, Looping, matt harlow, shinji saito, shu takada, takuma yamamoto, top 5, top five, yasushi furukawa

Top 5 3A Yo-Yo Players of All-Time

July 31, 2013 By Patrick Borgerding

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.

Top 5 3A Players of All Time

5. Paul Yath – USA_flag

  • 1x World Champion, 4x National Champion, 4x Regional Champion

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 – japanese_flag

  • 1x World Champion, 2x National Champion, 1x Regional Champion

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 – USA_flag

  • 2x World Champion, 3x National Champion, 1x Regional Champion

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 – japanese_flag/ USA_flag

  • 1x World Champion, 1x Asia Champion, 2x National Champion, 4x Regional Champion, 2x State Champion

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 – japanese_flag

  • 4x World Champion, 1x National Champion, 4x Regional Champion

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.

Filed Under: General News, Players Tagged With: 3A, daisuke shimada, featured, hank freeman, hiroki miyamoto, kentaro kimura, mark mcbride, masanobu iwata, Maya Nakamura, minato furuta, paul yath, steve brown, top 5, top five, triple a, yuki tanami

Top 5 Offstring Yo-Yo Players of All-Time

July 30, 2013 By Patrick Borgerding

As we gear up for the 2013 World Yo-Yo 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.

This time we take a look at the history of the offstring (4A) division.  The inception of the style can be traced back to the 1950 Duncan instructors pushing the limits of yo-yos. Rumor has it that Duncan demonstrators would sometimes show the kids a single offstring trick—a front mount, and high toss—at demonstrations; it was intended to be just enough for the kids to try, break their yoyo, and buy another one. It wasn’t until 1990 when Dale showed a group of people the concept and Jon Gates took the style to a whole new level by introducing diabolo and Single A concepts but most importantly: the offstring bind. Later Jon collaborated with John Higby, and with the popularization of ball bearing axles and rubberized rims, Jon was able to push the boundaries another step further. After Jon led the Japanese Hyper Viper tour of 1998, which featured offstring, the style spread like wildfire. With the ground work established, players like Hironori Mii and Sky Kiyabu began to add offstring tricks to their routines. Due to the unprecedented nature of the style, offstring was initially accepted within the Single A division before being moved to the X Division and then eventually being granted its own dedicated division. Today offstring is one of the most intense divisions—any mistake can end up with a yo-yo flying off the stage. Regenerations, solo-ham, technical, whip catches and so much more—the growth from a challenge among friends to a highly competitive world-wide division remains a testimony to the creative possibilities of yo-yo and the ingenious minds who foster it.

Top Five Offstring Players

5. Bryan Figueroa – USA_flag

  • 6x National Champion, 12x Regional Champion, 4x State Champion

One of the few players on these lists to not have a World title, Bryan’s six straight National titles are impossible to overlook. Dominating—which is perhaps a dramatic understatement—an extremely tough 4A division in the United States for six years, Bryan is clearly one of the greatest to play 4A. Bryan is known for his technically difficult tricks and extreme accuracy—rarely does he lose a yo-yo. With two near victories at the World stage, Bryan is a World title away from cementing his legacy further.

4. Naoto Okada – japanese_flag

  • 2x World Champion, 3x National Champion, 4x Regional Champion

One of the four players on our list to own two World titles, Naoto is the ultimate performer. His on-stage persona is more artistic than anything else, taking yo-yoing in a direction that highlights its expressive beauty. With a number of near flawless routines to cement his extreme professionalism, Naoto never seems to disappoint. Even in the midst of a less than perfect routine, Naoto maintains his composure—something only a true performer can do.

3. Rei Iwakura – japanese_flag

  • 2x World Champion, 1x Asia Champion, 3x National Champion, 8x Regional Champion

The curse of 4A World Champion—no one has ever won back-to-back 4A World titles and after taking the top spot at Japan Nationals, Rei has perhaps the best chance ever to accomplish this feat. And with it, he will certainly have an argument for the greatest of all time. Already one of the most out-of-the-box thinkers in yo-yo, and now incorporating his brilliant Artistic Performance routine concepts into his 4A routines, Rei is truly a master of offstring. With no end in sight after taking the top spot over Naoto and company at Japan Nationals, he only seeks to climb the list.

 2. Tsubasa Onishi – japanese_flag / USA_flag

  • 2x World Champion, 2x Asia Champion, 3x National Champion, 2x Regional Champion

Tsubasa holds the interesting feat of winning both US and Japan Nationals. Not to mention his two World titles, his resume is only to be expected with the creativity he exhibits year after year. One of the few to make full combos that incorporated his ears, Tsubasa is undeniably one of the most ingenious offstring trick creators. Add in his arm stand whips & jump behind the back whips and it is clear Tsubasa belongs among the greats.

1. Eiji Okuyama – japanese_flag

  • 2x World Champion, 1x Asia Champion, 1x National Champion, 2x Regional Champion

The first ever to capture two world titles, Eiji is the original offstring superstar. Creator of the classic trick which bears his name, Eiji Regeneration, Eiji pioneered offstring and pushed it to levels unheard of. With his signature extremely long string, Eiji was at the top of the offstring division for many years. Incorporating full arm grinds, long regeneration combos and intricate string tricks, Eiji was diverse in his repertoire; Eiji also had an aura of confidence and swagger which emanated on stage. All of these qualities came together to cement his place at the top.

Honorable Mentions: Hironori Mii (World Champion), John Narum (World Champion), Lim Aik Hwee (4x Asia Champion), Kazuaki Sugimura (2x National Champion)

Who do you think are the greatest offstring 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.

Filed Under: General News, Players Tagged With: 4a, bryan figueroa, eiji okuyama, featured, hironori mii, john narum, naoto okada, offstring, rei iwakura, top 5, top five, tsubasa onishi

Top 5 Counterweight Yo-Yo Players of All-Time

July 29, 2013 By Patrick Borgerding

As we gear up for the 2013 World Yo-Yo 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.

Today we rank the Top 5 Greatest Counterweight Players of All Time. Since our very own Steve Brown debuted his idea at the Bay Area Classic nearly fifteen years ago, the style has evolved tremendously.  The evolution bred countless tricks that have brought a certain level of magic to stages across the world. From ‘astro’ to sideways counterweight, finger grinds to slack combos, counterweight play opened many doors in the world of yo-yo and gave these five individuals a medium to create an enduring legacy.

YoYoNews Top 5 Counterweight Players Of All Time

5. Rafael Matsunaga – small_brazil_flag

  • 1x World Champion, 1x National Champion

The first player outside of the United States and Japan to win a World title in the modern era, Rafael is a legend of counterweight. Innovative in the early stages of counterweight at the World level, much of the mounts and concepts are indebted to Rafael.  Promoter, entertaining and organizer, even since retiring from competition, Rafael has remained an important figure in yo-yo.

4. Makoto Numagami – japanese_flag

  • 1x World Champion, 1x National Champion, 3x Regional Champion

Makoto won every major competition to be won: regional, national, continental and world. Highly competitive in the X-Division era and capturing his own World title in 5A in 2004, Makoto was one of the biggest competitors of the early decade. He was highly theatrical in his performances and brought a lot of energy and passion to the stage in his routines. Makoto will always be remembered for his contributions to freehand in its early development.

3. Tyler Severance – USA_flag

  • 1x World Champion, 2x National Champion, 18x Regional Champion, 13x State Champion

Tyler took home the World title in 2007—the last before the Takuma-Taskeshi era. Just recently winning his second National title, Tyler is still actively competing and seeking to add to his absolutely massive list of accomplishments. Tyler is well known for his intricate tangler and wrap combos which transcend counterweight influence; his creativity is undeniable with a resume to back it up and thus earns a spot as one of the top counterweight players ever.

2. Takuma Inoue – japanese_flag

  • 1x World Champion, 2x National Champion, 4x Regional Champion

The only person to even come close to Takeshi—losing by less than a point in 2012—Takuma is a legend of 5A. With his own World title in 2010, Takuma is a loveable performer known for exclaiming ‘THANK-YOU’ during his performances. Takuma is a highly dedicated competitor. His tricks are all extremely high risk and his accuracy when performing them is just one reason why he is one of the greatest 5A players of all time.

1. Takeshi Matsuura – japanese_flag

  • 4x World Champion, 2x Asia Champion, 5x National Champion, 4x Regional Champion

Not even a teenager and Takeshi had begun cementing his legacy. The youngest to ever win a World title at the age of 11, Takeshi was not done there. Recently capturing another Japan National title, he seeks his fifth World title going into the 2013 World contest. Takeshi is a performer in the fullest and his tricks, often performed to near perfection, compliment every aspect of his routine—every time.  Takeshi is and will remain the greatest 5A player of all time for the foreseeable future.

Honorable Mentions: Maya Nakamura (World Champion), Steve Brown (counterweight play inventor), Miguel Correa (4x US National Champion), Sterling Quinn (top US competitor).

Who do you think are the greatest counterweight 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.

Filed Under: General News, Players Tagged With: 5A, 5a may, counterweight, featured, freehand, makoto numagami, miguel correa, rafael matsunaga, sterling quinn, steve brown, takeshi maatsura, takuma inoue, top 5, top five, tyler severance

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