# The 2019 World Yo-Yo Contest Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Contests, Clubs, and Events\ **Created:** [February 4, 2019, 10:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510 "2019-02-04T22:21:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 27
**Author:** ![beezy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/beezy/32/161690_2.png) [@beezy](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/beezy)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 6:58am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/527 "2019-08-13T06:58:42Z")
> [@MoosaK](#): > > A lot of people say that we should “blame the system” for picking the wrong winner. But honestly, the system is pretty accurate. The people that place highest in contests really are the best players in the world. Every champion truly deserves the win, even if some people complain that they don’t. I like the way comps work, it’s understandable and comprehensive. I appreciate your comment but it’s missing the point of the discussion. The point was about whether the judging system rewards innovative & creative yoyoing or not. ---
**Author:** ![MoosaK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/moosak/32/116955_2.png) [@MoosaK](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MoosaK)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 7:07am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/528 "2019-08-13T07:07:30Z")
Have you ever noticed that most unique and amazing tricks come from players who do very well in competitions? Also, innovative and difficult tech elements do well at competitions. That’s how Janos won. That’s how Zach won. That’s how Takeshi got 2nd. That’s how Ahmad won AP 3 times. A lot of the most innovative players are players who seek to use competitions as outlets for creative and difficult elements. ---
**Author:** ![feryuweryu](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/feryuweryu/32/42092_2.png) [@feryuweryu](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/feryuweryu)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 7:14am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/529 "2019-08-13T07:14:35Z")
> [@MoosaK](#): > > That’s how Takeshi got 2nd And that’s how Takeshi got 2nd(not first), that a great example. Please don’t get start on Takeshi again… there’s already lots of fuss last year. I’ll shut up now. ---
**Author:** ![beezy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/beezy/32/161690_2.png) [@beezy](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/beezy)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 7:41am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/530 "2019-08-13T07:41:36Z")
> [@unklesteve](#): > > People talk a lot about the judging system as though it’s the unyielding monolith that’s blocking innovation when the reality is that it was designed to score players based on what the community felt was the most accurate way to quantify yoyo player, and since those attitudes are always changing the scoring system is constantly trying to adapt to meet new wants and expectations. Thanks for the insight behind the whole process. Again, I’m basing my viewpoint on the outcome - what freestyles take top honors - and I don’t know what is going into coming up with a fair evaluation system. It’s certainly good to know that the scoring system evolves with the times. And hey - if the outcome faithfully reflects the expectations of the community and it happens to not favor the yoyoing I want to see more of, then fair enough. I can also admire some good shred even if it’s not my favorite! ---
**Author:** ![beezy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/beezy/32/161690_2.png) [@beezy](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/beezy)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 7:52am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/531 "2019-08-13T07:52:03Z")
> [@MoosaK](#): > > Have you ever noticed that most unique and amazing tricks come from players who do very well in competitions? That’s exactly it. This is why I care about competitions and why I feel frustrated when pure technique wins out over creative yoyoing. Because, to me, competitive yoyoing is at its best when it encourages creativity. I love seeing the creative players unveil new tricks on stage and execute them perfectly. Maybe technique\>creativity happens because of current trends, and not necessarily because the judging system… taking what Steve said into account. PS apologies for the fragmented replies… responding in between finishing breakfast and taking the metro! ---
**Author:** ![MoosaK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/moosak/32/116955_2.png) [@MoosaK](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MoosaK)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 4:39pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/532 "2019-08-13T16:39:29Z")
You gotta understand that some people focus on different tricks. A behind the back regen is harder than any cool slack element. I think that the difficult elements of the meta represent a mastery of various styles. I think the best freestyles are the ones that combine difficult meta tricks and slower tech and slack tricks. ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 5:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/533 "2019-08-13T17:21:51Z")
If you want to see how competition scoring has changed over the years, check out this documentary: [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/5/1/3/5137bb3d8a9c67e5b962adee456a6afe1cdfab59.jpeg "World on a String - A Yo-Yo Documentary") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54ukx9l81Hs) It is interesting to hear how being a yoyo champion used to mean being the best 2A player (because there was a time when there was no 1A division yet, since “string tricks” were not seen as a serious play style and “creativity” was discouraged in favor of pure technical prowess.) ---
**Author:** ![MoosaK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/moosak/32/116955_2.png) [@MoosaK](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MoosaK)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 5:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/534 "2019-08-13T17:58:25Z")
Getting 2nd at the WYYC is hardly losing. ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 6:00pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/535 "2019-08-13T18:00:39Z")
“Second place is the first loser.” – Dale Earnhardt (paraphrased) :wink: ---
**Author:** ![MoosaK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/moosak/32/116955_2.png) [@MoosaK](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MoosaK)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 6:11pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/536 "2019-08-13T18:11:21Z")
“2nd place is hardly losing” -Moosa Khan (not paraphrased) :wink: There’s always next year in yoyoing. It’s Takeshi’s personal choice to stop competing. If he came back with the intention to win, he would fully capable of doing so. ---
**Author:** ![hobbygod](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/hobbygod/32/120997_2.png) [@hobbygod](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/hobbygod)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 6:53pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/537 "2019-08-13T18:53:06Z")
If you aint first, youre last Ricky bobby ---
**Author:** ![MoosaK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/moosak/32/116955_2.png) [@MoosaK](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MoosaK)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/538 "2019-08-13T18:56:17Z")
Fine The point is, Takeshi is capable of winning. If the system was bad for tech players, he wouldn’t be able to win. Forgot to mention: Hirotaka Akiba won JN this year. ---
**Author:** ![Exmime](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/exmime/32/40143_2.png) [@Exmime](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Exmime)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 7:46pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/539 "2019-08-13T19:46:12Z")
[I’m a loser](https://youtu.be/YgSPaXgAdzE) ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 7:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/540 "2019-08-13T19:57:13Z")
So I’m not really up on yoyo competition history. Where did yoyo competitions get their start? Was it here in the U.S.? Were trophies always given out for the top three players in each division? I ask because the notion of awarding trophies to the top three competitors (i.e., “podium winners”) is a European thing and not really an American thing. In the U.S., we only recognize the first place winner, and for the most part nobody remembers (or pays attention to or cares about) the runner-ups. But yoyo contests have adopted the European “podium” standard. How did that come about? ---
**Author:** ![MoosaK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/moosak/32/116955_2.png) [@MoosaK](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MoosaK)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 8:29pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/541 "2019-08-13T20:29:20Z")
@zslane This is pretty helpful: > **[List of yo-yo world champions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Yo-yo_world_champions)** > > List of World Yo-Yo Champions is the list of the competitors who won the World Yo-Yo Contest. This list includes non-championship divisions. > Was known as A or "Single A" from 1998 to 2004. > Was known as AA or "Double A" from 1998 to 2004. Keep in mind that in yoyoing top 3 can be helpful to see who has the highest chance next year. edit: I just added most of the 2019 winners. Missed a couple, might add em later. Editing Wikipedia is hard! ---
**Author:** ![twitch77](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/twitch77/32/60219_2.png) [@twitch77](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/twitch77)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 11:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/542 "2019-08-13T23:21:33Z")
Not sure where to post this…don’t feel like creating a new thread. @AndreBoulay any word on how many strings were in the pitcher? ---
**Author:** ![threebearrries](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/threebearrries/32/42073_2.png) [@threebearrries](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/threebearrries)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 11:25pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/543 "2019-08-13T23:25:32Z")
I’m pretty sure it was 743 strings! He announced it during the live stream right before the YYE trivia at the WYYC. ---
**Author:** ![twitch77](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/twitch77/32/60219_2.png) [@twitch77](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/twitch77)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 11:33pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/544 "2019-08-13T23:33:18Z")
Cool…a lot more than I’d guessed! Someone guessed 742 here on the forums…I wonder if anyone at the contest itself guessed the exact number. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2019, 11:51pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/545 "2019-08-13T23:51:48Z")
Wow if it was 743 then @Phantisee86 probably won per > [@WIN THIS KITTY STRING - 2019 World YoYo Contest](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/win-this-kitty-string-2019-world-yoyo-contest/306471/137): > > I’ll update this list in a couple of days slight_smile No idea why I think this list needs to exist. lol…whatever. I’m bored! stuck_out_tongue URT = 415 MooseCode = 470 gcoomans = 420 threebearrries = 500 vegabomb = 815 FourCorner = 999 yoyoer111 = 217 eternalmetal = 1 Ajolivarez = 555 Cptawesom3 = 512 kksimon = 354 yoyoingFox = 672 abby1371 = 450 TurdFerguson69 = 666 Z\_Car = 600 TheYoyoer27 = 481 Cmac = 482 FrankAmato = 1145 Phantisee86 = 742 mair88 = 344 andy569 = 490 … ---
**Author:** ![YotoyImages](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yotoyimages/32/61972_2.png) [@YotoyImages](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/YotoyImages)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2019, 12:12am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510/546 "2019-08-14T00:12:44Z")
I don’t really care who won in any given division. I just wanted to say Hajime Miura is a YoYoing machine! As others have stated, “He’s changing the Game!” [Previous page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510.md?page=26) [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/the-2019-world-yo-yo-contest-thread/298510.md?page=28)