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Interview: Marcus Koh

November 17, 2011 By Rafael Matsunaga

Today we catch up with 2011 1A World Champion Marcus Koh, from Singapore, for our first interview here on YoYoNews. Thanks for joining us, Marcus!

YoYoNews: You’ve been working towards being the World’s #1 for several years, and you even mentioned on Facebook before your trip to Orlando that you were chasing your dreams, how does it feel to actually be the World Champion?

Marcus Koh: Yep! It feels great to be the World champion! I think the best thing about chasing my dreams was about the amount of time and effort I spent for something I love, about falling and getting back up after making mistakes. These things make my yo-yo journey a whole lot meaningful and worth it. Nothing beats putting in effort and achieving success in the end. The feeling is… amazing.

 

YN: At Worlds, you had a couple of yo-yo changes on stage, when that kind of thing happens, what goes through you head? Do you fear you are ruining your chances or do you concentrate on finishing your routine?

MK: Honestly, I was in a state of shock and panic at that moment of time. Everything had to go wrong as those are mistakes that I have never made before during practice. However, the very words which came from my best yo-yo friend Lim Aik Hwee echoed through my head. Those were the words he said to me before I left for worlds. They were “Remember, it’s not the end if you switch yo-yos. You can still win with yo-yo switches. Just do not give up.” From that point onwards, I recollected myself, tried to remain as calm as possible and concentrated on finishing my routine.

YN: The 1A competition in Singapore seems to be quite fierce these days, with you, Christopher Chia and Darrell Mitchell all among the best in the world. How does it feel to compete at such high level even in local contests?

MK: I think it feels pressurizing but yet it feels good at the same time. That is because we are constantly being pushed to the limits and try to outdo each other at each yo-yo gathering / contests. As a result, this leads to more creativity and improvements from us each day.

 

YN: What gives you motivation to win? Is it personal drive? Friends, rivals, family?

MK: It was my childhood dream to be the world champion. Since I was 10, I was amazed by a cartoon TV series called “Super Yo-yo” and I have been working my way up ever since. My family and friends were the ones who were always there for me and they always motivate me to strive harder. So I would say the motivations were my personal drive, friends and family.

 

YN: Both you and Takuto practice hard together even on the contest days. How much collaboration goes between you and other players?

MK: I think there was not much collaboration/interaction before my freestyle as I was busy training for the finals. I do wish that I have had interacted more on a closer level with yo-yo players around the world. However I had to set my priorities right and select 1 thing or the other, I selected training to reach for my dreams. So after the awards, I tried my best interacting and learning from as much people as I can.

 

YN: Tell us about “Kill Everybody”, what’s the story behind your mass-murdering motto? 🙂

MK: To be honest, there is no story behind the motto “Kill everybody” as it does not suit me in real life. So it is only my stage presence. That and I found out that dub-step music really suits my style and this genre of music is something new for yo-yoing as a whole

 

YN: What’s your day like?

MK: My days are waking up early in the morning for school and maybe hang out with my friends after school. Then I will play with my yo-yo for a while when I reach home. That’s pretty much what a normal day is like for me.

Before the world yo-yo competition, my days were to wake up for school and when school ended I would rush back home straight to train for my world’s freestyle . I had to sacrifice going out with friends, social gatherings, etc. in the process. But it was all worth it in the end.

 

YN: Any special breakfast secret for a super bendy body for your behind-the-back tricks?

MK: Ahaha nope, Just lots and lots of practice.

 

YN: What’s next for Marcus Koh? More world titles? Do you feel a bigger pressure now that you carry the title of World Champion?

MK: What’s next? It shall be the same as it will always be. Me inspiring people and people inspiring me. I see myself getting to meet more different and amazing yo-yo players around the world, exchanging tricks, being amazed. Just like how every yo-yo player have experienced when he/she attends a yo-yo event/competition.

About feeling pressured. Not really, as I am sure the future generations in the yo-yo scene will soon take over me one day, and that’s a good thing! The new players in the yo-yoing scene are improving fast. It’s just a matter of time!

More world titles? Haha I can’t come up with a solid answer for now. I’ll see about that.

 

YN: Thanks for the interview, Marcus. Any special parting messages?

MK: Less hate, more Love. Happy Yo-yoing everyone.

Marcus will be attending the Russian National Yo-yo Contest in December, be sure to catch up and say hi!

Filed Under: Interview Tagged With: Marcus Koh, singapore, turning point, world champion

Throw Cancer Away

November 17, 2011 By Rafael Matsunaga

Team YoyoJam’s Mikhail Tulabut, who was diagnosed with cancer one year ago, is working to raise cancer awareness through the Throw Cancer Away project, and started off by auctioning a one-of-a-kind Vigilante prototype, and all proceeding go to the American Cancer Society.

From Mikhail himself:

In November 2010, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. A lymphnode cancer that required an 8 month run of not-so-fun chemotherapy.

A year later, I am now in remission; but remission is still not a cure. This is why I’ve started the “ThrowCancerAway” project. For those who have survived, for those still in the battle, and for those we remember.

Check all the details about the project at the Throw Cancer Away Facebook page and the auction on eBay!

Filed Under: Players Tagged With: mikhail tulabut, throw cancer away, YoYoJam

János Karancz joins Duncan Crew Hungary

November 15, 2011 By Rafael Matsunaga

Hungarian slack-trick master János Karancz was announced today as the new member of Duncan Crew Hungary.

János also seems to be a banjo enthusiast:

http://www.youtube.com/user/jani9494

via Duncan Toys Facebook page

Filed Under: Players Tagged With: Duncan, hungary, janos karancz

AP 2012 Postponed

November 14, 2011 By Rafael Matsunaga

Colin Wan informs that next year’s Asia-Pacific Yo-yo Championships will be postponed:

It is with deep regret that I, along with the AP team, have to inform you that we will not be hosting the Asia Pacific Yo Yo Competition next year.

Despite garnering widespread support and expanding in terms of the number of countries and competitors each year,  the event has unfortunately been running at a deficit for the past few years, and it has been a challenge to secure sufficient sponsors.

Even at a deficit, we still continued to run previous competitions because we were committed to doing so.

Rather than to keep everyone in anticipation of next year’s event, we felt it would be the best and most respectful  thing to do, if we announce the postponement of AP in advance so you may make alternative plans.

The AP team remains committed to the AP competition as we have taken a lot of joy and pride in witnessing the exciting development of spin culture in Singapore and the region. We believe that yo yo as an alternative sport will continue to flourish. We especially see evidence of this positive development in the dynamic talent shown by our and regional players who have triumphed internationally.

Keep up with polishing your skills and we look forward to welcoming all of you to the next AP where we hope to see some fierce and exciting competition.

We thank you all for your understanding and continous support. Lets keep the yo-yo community growing!

Best Regards,

Colin Wan
Chairperson
Asia Pacific Yo-yo Championships Event Committee

via Singapore Yoing

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: ap

44CLASH is around the corner

November 14, 2011 By Rafael Matsunaga

The hottest yo-yo contest of the year is upon us! The fourth edition of the highly anticipated event will take place on November 19th and 20th, in Tokyo!

With top Japanese names like Hiroyuki Suzuki, Tatsuya Fujisaka, John Ando, and Takahiro Iizuka competing against a formidable team of foreigners composed of Hank Freeman, Anthony Rojas, Grant Johnson and many more, this should be an astonishing CLASH indeed!

Check the official 44CLASH website for more information!

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: 44clash, contest, japan

Nate Sutter joins SPYY

November 14, 2011 By Rafael Matsunaga

SPYY announced the addition of Nate Sutter to its formidable team.

Also check Nate’s new video as SPYY team member!

For those not familiar with Nate, he’s the one who came up with Plastic Whip in the early 2000s. Nate had been on Duncan Crew for the past few years and is now a proud member of the Canadian Manufacturer’s team.

Filed Under: Players Tagged With: Nate Sutter, spyy

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