# Taka Banned from Worlds?
**URL:** https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716
**Category:** Yo-Yo Contests, Clubs, and Events
**Created:** [August 16, 2023, 8:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716 "2023-08-16T20:24:32Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@GTDropKnot](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GTDropKnot)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2023, 8:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/1 "2023-08-16T20:24:33Z")
Yo so I probably shouldn’t be the one to make this topic bc I’m still newish or w/e but I didn’t know if anyone else would make it and I feel like people should know…so buckle up!
For those of you that don’t know, [Takahiko Hasegawa (Taka)](https://yoyo.fandom.com/wiki/Takahiko_Hasegawa) [[Taka’s IG](https://www.instagram.com/taka_spingear/)] was banned from attending the WYYC2023 and alleges they have done nothing wrong to warrant such a drastic action by the [IYYF](https://iyyf.org/), a nonprofit organization and the organizer of the WYYC2023.
Taka is a Japanese National Yo-Yo Master and owner of the [Spingear](https://yoyo.fandom.com/wiki/Spingear) store, located in Japan. Taka also alleged that this banning has to do with a feud/business rivalry between Spingear and [Rewind](https://yoyo.fandom.com/wiki/Rewind). Rewind is partially run by [Hironori Mii](https://yoyo.fandom.com/wiki/Hironori_Mii) and Hironori is one of the three members that make up the IYYF board of directors.
We have not heard a statement about the banning from the IYYF so at this point, we can only speculate based on what Taka alleges, and the fact that Taka is indeed, banned. I would like to hear some sort of a statement from the IYYF. If this banning is warranted, please let us know.
Speculatively, it appears that Hiro has used a position of power to unjustly ban a business rival and that is corruption. To ban someone as historically important and well respected as Taka without reason, totally goes against [the mission statement of the IYYF](https://iyyf.org/about-iyyf/) and appears just kinda sketchy and lame.
It’s a bummer that this is a narrative for the WYYC2023 and I hope we can hear from the IYYF (@unklesteve ) to clarify the situation. I do believe that if there is corruption, people should know about it, so I’m making this topic. Sorry for the bad juju Steve and I think it was insanely sick that you [caught that suicide on-stage and blindfolded.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ogeC5FpMwY)
Thank you and good luck to all those competing!
TL;DR Taka banned, but why tho?
> **Taka's IG story post about it**
>
> 
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### Author:  [@MattC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MattC)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2023, 8:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/2 "2023-08-16T20:33:37Z")
Just following to get the tea.
Taka is a legend. Sad to hear about any kind of problems.
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### Author:  [@hobbygod](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/hobbygod)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2023, 8:50pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/3 "2023-08-16T20:50:06Z")
Taka has always been the man on the business side of things and he loves yoyo more than anyone I know. I’d like to hear why he’s banned as well
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### Author:  [@bheinz63](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/bheinz63)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2023, 8:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/4 "2023-08-16T20:58:04Z")
That’s pretty wild to hear
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### Author:  [@Bobparty](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Bobparty)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2023, 9:07pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/5 "2023-08-16T21:07:38Z")
Man, who would have thought the world of yo-yos would be filled with so much drama
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### Author:  [@unklesteve](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/unklesteve)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2023, 9:18pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/6 "2023-08-16T21:18:20Z")
> [@GTDropKnot](#):
>
> Speculatively, it appears that Hiro has used a position of power to unjustly ban a business rival and that is corruption. To ban someone as historically important and well respected as Taka without reason, totally goes against [the mission statement of the IYYF](https://iyyf.org/about-iyyf/) and appears just kinda sketchy and lame.
Would super appreciate you not “speculatively” accusing us of corruption since you admittedly have no actual detail about what’s happened either from Taka or the IYYF.
It’s worth noting that lots of unpleasant crap happens behind-the-scenes in yoyoing, and hiding it from people isn’t always a conspiracy; usually it’s to try and gracefully offer the problematic parties the opportunity to walk away from the situation without drama and with their reputation intact. Immediately calling it ill-intent and “corruption” assumes an awful lot and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t.
Official statement coming later. Thanks.
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### Author:  [@unklesteve](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/unklesteve)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2023, 9:29pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/9 "2023-08-16T21:29:35Z")
That would defeat the whole purpose of “usually it’s to try and gracefully offer the problematic parties the opportunity to walk away from the situation without drama and with their reputation intact”, wouldn’t it?
Not trying to get snippy with anyone but considering that Taka already deleted all mention of this from his Instagram it’s clear he realized that there’s zero good to come from a public discussion of this, which is exactly what happened anyway.
Official statement coming later. Thanks.
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### Author:  [@GTDropKnot](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GTDropKnot)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2023, 10:11pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/10 "2023-08-16T22:11:58Z")
I tried to go out of my way to give y’all the benefit of the doubt. I tried saying allegedly and acknowledging this is speculation. I wasn’t like, “yo this is corruption.” Blame Taka for putting it on IG. Look forward to seeing that statement and deciding how I feel about the whole thing.
> [@unklesteve](#):
>
> considering that Taka already deleted all mention of this from his Instagram it’s clear he realized that there’s zero good to come from a public discussion of this
I don’t know how we could know why he posted that and then deleted it. He’s still got the banned profile set up so he’s still putting it out there. Maybe he just didn’t want to deal with the bs.
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### Author:  [@yoyospirit](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyospirit)
#### Post date: [August 16, 2023, 10:54pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/11 "2023-08-16T22:54:49Z")
Ooohh yo-yo drama.
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### Author:  [@JeiCheetah](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/JeiCheetah)
#### Post date: [August 17, 2023, 12:53am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/12 "2023-08-17T00:53:55Z")
Considering all the contributions Taka has done for yoyoing literally for over 25 years, and the fact that the scene in Japan would not be what it is today without his influence and work, I’m definitely needing to see a full statement as to why this happened.
Taka is not some random person in the yoyo world, this is literally banning one of the most influencial and big community influences we’ve ever had.
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### Author:  [@JeiCheetah](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/JeiCheetah)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2023, 5:22pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/13 "2023-08-18T17:22:11Z")
Hoping we hear something soon. Obviously worlds is happening in full swing now, but it’s super sad to see what has happened and that there couldn’t be something worked out
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### Author:  [@UnluckyOwl53](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/UnluckyOwl53)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/14 "2023-08-19T17:43:25Z")
@unklesteve was able to write a full length blog post this morning but still no response on the taka situation.
Let the people know!
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### Author:  [@mkmavvl](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/mkmavvl)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2023, 9:20pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/15 "2023-08-19T21:20:20Z")
I’m waiting.
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### Author:  [@Shwa](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shwa)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/16 "2023-08-19T21:39:01Z")
Why do you always feel the need to press the “button”. No one owes us anything. Let life happen man! What Steve does with his time is his business.
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### Author:  [@Juno](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Juno)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2023, 9:42pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/17 "2023-08-19T21:42:48Z")
Pretty sure that there will be a statement soon after worlds. Steve will be bussy enogh running the contest right now. Guess the blog post was to ease his mind? I think everybody should chill a little. It’s easy to criticize/bash someone without knowing what happened. Same story as this whole music thing before worlds.
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### Author:  [@SR1](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SR1)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/18 "2023-08-19T21:44:02Z")
Writing a personal blog post is a hell of a lot easier and quicker than crafting a statement about why a VERY respected, long-time figure in the community is banned from the sport’s biggest event, that will also likely be scrutinized and picked apart by people regardless of whether he deserved it or not. Steve is also not the only person in charge of this, involved in this decision, or situation. This is super easy to see man, you GOTTA relax.
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### Author:  [@Shwa](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shwa)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2023, 9:47pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/19 "2023-08-19T21:47:38Z")
> [@SR1](#):
>
> Steve is also not the only person in charge of this
Ditto. He just happens to be the one answering our questions.
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### Author:  [@GTDropKnot](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GTDropKnot)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2023, 12:20am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/20 "2023-08-20T00:20:37Z")
> [@Juno](#):
>
> Same story as this whole music thing before worlds.
Well, were it not for the community speaking up about the music rules, those might have taken effect and we would have had a much worse worlds. Or maybe they would have changed it without people speaking up. Who knows?
I agree that we most likely won’t get a statement before world ends and I’d like to spend my energy enjoying the final day as well. This is my first time following the worlds competition and all in all, it has been really fun! Production is fantastic and it shows how great Yoyo can look when it’s presented well! Eventually we’ll find out what happened and I can wait until then.
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### Author:  [@aminalcollective](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/aminalcollective)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2023, 12:26am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/21 "2023-08-20T00:26:53Z")
why do people take yo-yoing so seriously it’s so weird
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### Author:  [@basecramp](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/basecramp)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2023, 12:32am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/taka-banned-from-worlds/382716/22 "2023-08-20T00:32:44Z")
the community generally LOVES to discuss the current drama. I’m guilty
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