I mean major divisions
Even if it’s subjective, I love these conversations.
In terms of competitive dominance over their division, I think it’s pretty clearly Hajime, Takeshi, and Shinji. If you add in other styles for added comparison, then Hajime and Takeshi.
Hiroyuki wasn’t close to as competitively dominant in his respective division as those 3 IMO. Even in the years he won, it was often by a narrow margin and he had other players at, near, of even above his competitive level. 2005 for example, Yuuki made up a routine virtually on the spot and narrowly missed clinching first.
Whereas with Hajime, Takeshi, and Shinji, in most of the years they won, they more or less wiped the floor competitively and their only real possibility of losing was if they significantly messed up their routines. Their dominance is unreal.
Beyond competitively, I think you also see a huge level of progression, growth, and innovation year over year with Hajime and Takeshi. Always so fresh. Whereas I think Hiroyuki never truly leveled up or evolved his yoyoing in big ways past his 04 win, and largely played it safe following his 06 win. (Though I should say that his 04 and 06 routines are two of my favorite freestyles of all time.)
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It’s difficult to answer, but if any name is brought up, that in itself signifies innovation or great talent. I think it’s easier to state great innovators, people who created the tricks that modern play is built on.
Jason Lee
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If we are talking best at overall yoyo play it’s Shinji and it’s really not close at all. He absolutely OWNED his division and he was untouchable in the combined division.
I’ll note that in combined, he was numerically unbeatable BEFORE they even got to the 2A round. He was just that much better than everyone. And yes, we did stop doing it because he couldn’t be beaten.
There are countless moments from his competitive career that stand out, he was truly on a different level.
Many of the others mentioned here might be the best ever at their division, but nobody comes close to his long term dominance and all-round abilities.
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But where would he be without those who preceded him? Top talent in anything is built upon those who came before. Although it is a point, like an athlete who excels at numerous divisions or sports, it’s exceptional.
Yes, yes, but don’t forget a long time ago when you were shipwrecked and you thought you were alone on that island. You fell asleep in the sand but when you woke up, you were surrounded by 10,000 natives.
They were trying to figure out whether to eat you or feed you?
You were sure things weren’t looking good and thought your time was up.
So you stood up and you busted out your yo-yo and you threw that trapeze for maybe the last time in your life.
And not one of those 10,000 natives had ever even seen anything like that
They gave you a standing ovation and then took you to In-N-Out and bought you a double cheeseburger, an order of fries and a strawberry shake.
And they made you their King.
Wherever you are on the trick ladder, your yo-yo skill level is better and higher than 99% of the population of the entire earth.
Yup🤓
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Who told you that story!?! I thought it was a secret!!!
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Jason Lee has been a good customer of mine at the shop I work at and, I just found out yesterday he was Jason Lee 
Really nice guy too.
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Jensen
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In my opinion the one goat is either Zach Gormley or John Ando.
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wrong Tyler 0-0
I cannot be the only one who pictures actor/ skateboarder Jason Lee every time someone mentions ‘01 nats champ Jason Lee lol
Definitely not the same guy, which I was actually kinda hoping hahahaha
My answer to goat:
That’s kinda hard tbh… I think I’ll go with Doc Pop, he has created so many fun things in YoYo, including many awesome tricks, and his style and “aura” with how he presents it all through whatever channel he uses is just so… cool. I hope to meet him some day and chat, just seems like a chill dude.
Also Rei is incredible to watch. What a legend.
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If someone brought up Jason Lee the actor, I would think they meant the yoyo player probably lol
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Personally, I think the GOAT of overall yo-yoing and not just competing has to be Andre Boulay.
The amount of onboarding that YYE alone has done for the hobby has got to be astronomical. The fact that I googled “yoyo tricks” nearly 20 years ago and ended up here to learn a large catalog of tricks, expertly explained, in a one stop shop? Insane. The man truly made a resource to onboard people and catapult them deeper into the world of yo-yo. And not just in a way that is self serving. A business, sure, but this guy isn’t doing DNAs and begging for likes, he’s educating and building a foundation for the next generation of people to find and love yo-yos. And that’s what makes the GOAT to me.
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Takeshi is the goat of yoyo. Retired and still innovating. Jimmy is also the goat tho…hmmm
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This is what came to mind when I read the title. So good man.
Also, his 1a performance was insane too!
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Id probably say takeshi as his innovations have a HUGE impact. Sure, jimmy has insane skills and the titles to boot but takeshi revolutionized competitive 5a, had an impact on SO MANY 1a players.
But tomato tomatoe