All!
Today I am proud to present the world champ, Mir Kim!!!
What got you into throwing, how did you find the hobby?
Back in 2015, my father first bought me a yo-yo. It was a Modified shaped yo-yo for beginners. I soon began to like it and became totally absorbed in landing tricks and feeling the sense of accomplishment. That’s how I started yo-yoing.
What is your goal in 2025 for yourself? Yo-yo or not!
My goal is to do my best for World Yo-Yo Contest so that I will be satisfied with my performance. As for outside yo-yoing, I’d like to complete some short stories and novellas.
If you could only have one yo-yo for the rest of your life what would it be?
My answer is the Miracle 2025, my signature yo-yo:) It is the one that is most fit for me.
What trick are you working on currently?
I am making some new tricks inspired by literature. I will read books, and transform what I feel into physical movements.
What’s the trick that gives you the hardest time?
I think Horizontal tricks and Hooks are most difficult. Especially for Hooks, I have to practice over and over again everyday.
What’s the most meaningful or favorite throw you have?
The original Miracle. It’s my first signature yo-yo. I was very surprised by its quality when I first threw it. I owe a lot to that yo-yo.
What’s your worst habit with yo-yos?
Thinking of new tricks when I have to repeat what I have for a contest. I tend to make new tricks everytime when I get bored, and that can have a negative effect on my performance.
What’s kind of things are you into outside of yo-yos?
I really love reading books, especially history and fiction. I like reading works by classic authors, such as Virgil, Homer, Shakespeare, Goethe and so on. As for more modern authors, I like Hemingway and Charles ■■■■■■■■ Also I like writing fiction and visiting art museums. I am a huge fan of Renaissance paintings and sculptures. These are what I am into.
What song best fits your personality?
Songs that are exciting. I think songs with exciting mood are best for my yo-yo style.
Favorite restaurant and order?
My favorite is by far Italian restaurant. But I also like Chinese and Japanese restaurant. My favorite foods are Margherita Pizza, lasagna, and Bistecca alla Fiorentina(florentine beefsteak). As for Chinese and Japanese, I like Dumplings and Sushi.
Favorite movie and or Book?
My favorite movies are the Robert Langdon and the Jason Bourne series. Especially ‘Angels and Demons’ and ‘Inferno’, since Rome and Florence are my favorite cities and I am really into Renaisance.
My favorite books are The Iliad, The Aeneid, The Parallel Lives, the tragedies by Sophocles, The Divine Comedy, The Old Man and the Sea, Julius Caesar and some others. It is impossible for me to choose just one!
What does yo-yoing mean to you?
It means art. Many think yo-yoing is a mere hobby, but I think it can transcend that sphere. It can be heightened to art. And I want to make people know it as something above toys.
What’s your favorite memory from your time in the hobby ?
The most wonderful memory is when I first won the World Yo-Yo Contest in 2023. I achieved it after 8 years’ yo-yoing, and it was the most fantastic moment.
What’s your biggest accomplishment yo-yo or not?
I think it’s Two World Yo-Yo Champion titles.
How has the community changed since you started? Where do you want it to go?
I think yo-yoing has become more difficult over the years. People upgrade their tricks everyday. Many new tricks are already out, so it adds to the difficulty of becoming creative. But, unfortunately, yo-yo populations has declined. Also, there seems to be a little bit of less creativity among yoyo players now. I hope more and more people will engage in this community and there will come out more innovative tricks.
If you never picked up a yo-yo - what would things look like now?
Yo-yoing is helpful to me in various fields. To love and do well at something is a great experience for the next step. I became more confident in making other attempts.
Advice/ words of wisdom to new players?
My advice is different according to their aim.
If you want to enjoy yo-yoing, and have no desire for competition, you can play from time to time, make new tricks and get ideas from other yo-yo players. Yo-yoing is also good as a refreshment.
But if you aim to win competitions, set records, and be an unique player, I would tell you a lot of endeavor is necessary. You should sometimes say to yourself, “The fault is not in the stars but in ourselves”, and push on. But, as eric hoffer wrote, “it is the stretched soul that makes music.” If there is no conflict within you, there will be no music, that is, no great performance. Through your endeavor, you make an art of you. And later, you will deeply rejoice at what you have achieved.
Whats you want to tell the world?
If you want to fulfill yourself, if you are bored with television, SNS, games and other virtual hobbies, if you would like to explore a new field, yo-yo is for you. One of the unique aspects of yo-yoing is that spectators and players are one. There is no definite distinction between them. You can applaud players’ performances and be one of them at the same time. You are in for a treat!