Interview – 2014 WYYC 5A Champion Takeshi Matsuura

Q1. When did you start playing yo-yo?

When I was in 1st Grade in Elementary School!

Q2. Why did you start playing yo-yo?

Because of the 2003 Hyper Yo-Yo [promotion]!

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

There are players I admire but I’ll leave it without saying who.

Q4. What made you choose 5A as your main style?

I was shocked to realize “There’s such a division in yo-yoing!” and it seemed interesting!

Q5. Last year you were also the runner-up in the WYYC 1A Division. Other than 5A and 1A, do you plan to enter any other divisions in the future?

I haven’t really decided, but if I start to feel like I want to enter [a division] I will!

Q6. How do you usually practice (where, who with, etc.)?

Usually I don’t play yo-yo in a “practicing” sense. I just kind of do what I want to do at that moment.

Q7. How does that change when you are preparing for different types of contests?

Before contests I rent a room in the community center and practice in a wide-open space.

Q8. Do you have any good stories from before you became a world champion that you want to share with us?

Do you have any good stories from before you became a world champion that you want to share with us?
None in particular.

Q9. How did you feel when you became a world champion?

I was happy!

Q10. Is there anything that changed for you after becoming a world champion?

I received the Global Award from my home prefecture, Saitama, and became a Saitama Goodwill Ambassador!

Q11. How do you feel going into this year’s World Yo-Yo Contest?

This year I plan to make a great effort in not only 5A, but also 1A. I want to do freestyles I can personally feel satisfied with and I aim to win, so please cheer for me!

Q12. What is yo-yo to you?

[Yo-Yo is] Something that continues to broaden my world!

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Many thanks to Takeshi Matsuura! We wish him the best of luck at the 2015 World YoYo Contest.