What it feels like to go to Worlds! Part 3

7. The First Round

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The hall is filled with booths run by the makers and yo-yo stores. From items that were announced in advanced, garnering much attention and excitement, to brand new items that appear out of nowhere without any notice, the atmosphere is electric as yo-yo players drool and spend way more than they budgeted.

Usually, once the battle begins, the first day and a half is dedicated to preliminaries and the second evening and third day go to finals. Each year the schedule for which division goes when, but the only players who can ignore the madness of prelims are the seeded champions. Only players who have won their national championships (in recognized countries) and world champions from the previous year are seeded into the final at Worlds.

And thus, the first round of elimination begins; players inevitably will get divided into those who passed through prelims and those who didn't make the cut. This is decided on the merits of the players' 1-minute freestyles. These freestyles aren't judged on a basis of whether you can supass a certain score, but since only a certain number of players can move on, it's the top scorers who go on. With the competition so stiff, a single mistake can be the difference between jumping the hurdle or running face first into it.

Some of the players get consumed by their nervousness. Some hands shake, some can't drink water properly, and some even have difficulty breathing. Sometimes it seems like a miracle that anyone can make it through their freestyle without any mistakes; the level of competition is so high, that only those who have perfected their tricks will move on to the final stage.

For those players who--despite their tireless preparation--failed to move on to finals, the reactions are various. Some players throw a hissy fit, some are dumbfounded as if they've been drugged. It goes without saying that it comes as a shock to these serious players. But they always eventually come around, showing their support for their friends who made the cut. Once out of the running, players are free to enjoy their time at the competition without the pressure to perform, like an olympic athlete who was eliminated before the final event.

So, once the hurdle of prelims are out of the way, players can set their sights on the final stage. The only exception to this is the 1A division, which has a second round of preliminaries. 1A players are forced to go up against each other a second time to thin out the crowd a bit more. This level is already full of national and world champions, so with a single leap the intensity of the competition leaps forward, so even players who passed the first round aren't able to feel at ease as they face the second day of elimination.

8. It's not all about freestyles!

Freestyles are certainly not the only thing to Worlds, although there are plenty to choose from; with six divisions naming a world champion every year (1A-5A and AP). Just like the official JYYF contests held in Japan, there is a ladder division, as well as a mods division and even Spintop and Diabolo freestyles and ladders are given some stage time.

Aside from the competitions, yo-yo workshops are also held for beginners and players who want to dabble in different divisions. General yo-yo gossip and information about new mods are also passed around at the event.

On the first night of the competition, the yo-yo collector Lucky Meisenheimer holds a BBQ party at his house, and late at night there is the Wheel of Penalty game. Even if you don't know English, the language of yo-yo gets the point across. Barbecue and play yo-yo at Lucky's, admiring his amazing collection (indeed, his entire house has been turned into a yo-yo museum of sorts), then go try your luck at the roulette-style Wheel of Penalty.

So as you see, there is something for everyone at Worlds. If you wish, there is never a dull moment at the contest both on and off the stage, and before you know it, it will all be over!

*a bit of a digression, but there's usually a shortage of sauce at the barbecue, so many people brought with them their own personal supply.

9. The Real Deal

After the first day's events, the meeting hall returns to an eerie silence, making it hard to believe how lively it was throughout the day. All that's left are a few players still in preparation for finals, still adjusting their internal clocks, or so wrapped up in their practice that they've lost all track of time.

With an ample water supply and air conditioning, this is a good quiet time to practice for the upcoming performances, on the stage where all the magic happens. Also popular at this time are AP rehearsals, which usually require a lot of coordination and equipment to execute. Sports towels, body wipes and antiperspirant spray* are a good idea to carry, and the nearby 24-hour shop makes midnight snacking convenient without impeding your practice time. There's only one shot at the title on stage, so players make the best of this opportunity. Whether you'll practice up to the last moment, or take a break and relax is up to you, and whether that's a good or bad idea is up to the yo-yo gods.

*antiperspirant spray helps prevent your hands from sweating, which gives you a better feeling as you play. As it's not very common outside of Japan, it's common to hear people asking "what is this? Can I try it?" Remember that for best results, use it immediately after washing your hands.

At this point, it's less about how much practice you've had than about how confident you are in your freestyle. Lots of players at this point will go back to their rooms and use the internet to get in touch with family and friends back home for some last-minute encouragement. Register for internet service at the front desk, for which there is a charge of about $10/day.

The next day will see the wrap-up of preliminaries, and then in the evening the first World Champions will be decided. It's those history-making moments in which everyone present can truly taste what it means to be at Worlds.

Question Time!

We asked our Twitter followers if they had any questions about the contest. Here's a couple of them:

Q.

Can players use copyrighted music for their freestyles? (in particular, songs governed by JASRAC)

A.

As long as it obeys the rules regarding language and morality, there is no limit to what music may be used.

Also, JASRAC, as a Japanese agency governing copyright, shouldn't have authority over what happens in a competition held in the US. Just make sure that the lyrics in your song choice don't contain any swear words or racist/derogatory messages.

Q.

How much should we expect to spend to come to Worlds? (including travel expenses, accommodations, food, etc)

A.

Your travel expenses will vary depending on how far you are traveling (from Japan this may cost as much as 200,000 yen/$2,000+). Accommodation should run you about $300-500, assuming you are arriving a day early and sharing a room with someone. Food will probably run about $200-300 at most.

These are rough estimates, and of course, you're probably going to spend a ton on all the swag at the contest, so don't forget to budget for new gear!

What it feels like to go to Worlds! Part 2

4. The Tension Builds

As I said in the last post, on the way from Japan to Florida, you need to transfer to a domestic flight somewhere on the west coast. Since there aren't too many flights throughout the day, you'll probably start running into other yo-yo players along the way, slowly growing your posse as you near your destination, and time seems to move faster.

You might've met the players before in your home country, or at other competitions, or maybe you've only seen them in a trick video online, but you realize that you are headed towards a place that, for the next few days, will be the center of the yo-yo world. as you get closer to Florida. The odds of encountering another yo-yo player shoot up when you arrive at Orlando. You might meet so many Japanese players you'll forget you're in the states. The 16 hour journey comes to an end, but the excitement just keeps building from there. Some people get nervous, others feel their heartbeat quicken, and others can't stop shaking with anticipation!

If this is your first international contest, your watch will be wildly off from the ones on the wall; our first job is to try to fix any jet lag. Your cell phone may alert you that you've changed time zones; it starts to sink in where you are and where you're headed, and for a yo-yo player headed to the mecca of yo-yo players, there's no way you can hide your delight.

You get into a cab and ask the driver to take you to the Rosen Plaza Hotel, showing him the map you printed out in advance. Drop your bags in the trunk and off you go. You watch the trees and buildings pass by the taxi window as you close in on the hotel. You can't see the hotel at first, and find yourself asking "Is this really where the World Yo-Yo Contest is held?"

Rest assured, it is.



After a 15-20 minute ride, the hotel springs out of the wildlife. If you've been here before, a sense of nostalgia washes over you. In every taxi headed to the Rosen today, the chatter of yo-yo players is sure to be heard.

5. New and Old Scenery

You unload from the taxi and walk through the revolving door, stepping into the piercing cold of the marble lobby and sauntering up to the front desk. Undoubtedly, you would have started seeing people playing yo-yo as soon as you stepped out of the cab. The constant chorus of bearings fades into white noise. Long ago you were sucked into the world of yo-yo, but now that community has gathered; it is tangible, right in front of you. Regardless of who you are or where you come from, everyone who comes to Worlds, at some point, gathers in the first floor lobby. You're suddenly confronted with famous players from all over the world! If you can't speak English, you can't help but think "I need to study harder!" Let's face it, English is the lingua franca of yo-yo.

But you may be wondering "so where is the actual event held?" The answer lies a little deeper in the hotel. The stage gets set up a day before the contest begins, in a hall further down the elaborate carpet. You walk past rows of white doors to the entrance of the hall where the highest peak of yo-yo competitions rests, waiting for the world's best players to attempt to reach its summit.



The day before the contest, the hall is opened up for registration, running late into night (out of consideration for the players who've come from very far).

Outside the window you can see the luxurious pool; inside there are restaurants, 24-hour shops, training centers, and gift shops. Everyone eats either at the hotel restaurant or the nearby chains, but many of the Japanese players, weary after an entire day of travel and sick of airline food are already drooling over the thought of the Japanese snacks they'd brought all the way with them.

Some people are completely wiped out when they arrive, and may even pass out on the hotel floor. Whether it's the journey, or the strong air conditioning in the hotel contrasted with the humid air outside, every year there's someone who breaks down. You try not to let the excitement get to your head, lest it's you this year.

6. And The First Day Hasn't Even Started!

Ahh, the day before the contest, some people just can't keep their hands off their yo-yos. Old friends appear and greet you, if it's your first Worlds you're probably a bundle of nerves. Event organizers and volunteers appear hear and there, buzzing behind the scenes to get everything in order. A majority of players come a day or two early to the event, so by now, almost the entire crowd has gathered, reaching a sort of yo-yo critical mass.

In other words, it's time to brush up on your foreign relations! You may settle into the universal language of sharing tricks with each other, or going out to eat; adding each other on Facebook is more and more popular these days. Competitors waste no time in climbing up on stage, popping in some headphones and practicing for the main event. Since the preliminaries don't start until the following afternoon, many players continue to practice late in the night and arise around noon in an attempt to fix their remaining jetlag. Most players traveling from outside the US have to deal with this time difference, and are constantly battling their internal clocks. The 24-hour shops are stocked with all the fuel a yo-yo player might need, from juice and Gatorade to Red Bull and Alcohol. With the addition of the restaurant, it's possible for you to stay in the hotel and practice... indefinitely! This really is an ideal situation for the contest. However, you should be warned that the A/C in the meeting hall is just as strong as the lobby; don't forget your long-sleeves or you'll regret it!



You carry your extra string and parts down to the stage for practice, abandoning your room solely as a place to sleep, shower and store your luggage. Your day of wandering about the hotel begins. Only 2, 3 days at the most before finals; some players just cannot relax without a healthy dose of practice, and set themselves wholeheartedly to work on perfecting their form. As time runs out, the atmosphere abruptly changes around some of the players. You try not to let it get to you.

For the sake of Worlds, some players devote countless hours to practice, so to practice upwards of 16 hours in the day leading up to the battle is a tireless sacrifice. Due to this practicing frenzy, it's not uncommon for players to go through as many as 100 strings in a matter of a few days. As you get tired, the odds of injury or even breaking your yo-yo increase; you must be vigilant and take plenty of rests to preserve your strength for the coming battle!

So with this ever-increasing tension as the stage draws closer, you take some time to peruse the new products at the makers' booths and catch up on the latest news. You watch the other players, silently comparing them to yourself and each other. Before you know it, you've stayed up almost all night, and it's already day one of the World Yo-Yo Contest.

Question Time!

We asked our Twitter followers if they had any questions about the contest. Here's one of them:

Q.

How many countries participate in the World Contest? In previous years there were something like 18...

A.

This year we have players from (in no particular order): Japan, America, China, Hungary, Russia, Canada, England, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, France, Poland, Spain, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Kuwait, Philippines, and Singapore (18). In addition, we also have participants from Macao and Hong Kong, not to mention other asian countries like Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, and so on. Even more countries are represented at other international contests like EYYC. Altogether, over 25 countries are represented on stage by yo-yo players.

What it feels like to go to Worlds! Part 1

We'll call this article the "Worlds' Corner," where we'll share with you what it feels like going to the World Yo-Yo Contest. From getting ready to the flight back, we'll try to convey to you just what it all feels like, as clearly and detailed as possible. This year's World Contest will be broadcast LIVE, so tune in or you'll be missing out!

Check out the World Yo-Yo Contest Official Site, http://worldyoyocontest.com/

Click Here for the this year's program.

Don't forget to check out the LIVE stream on Ustream:



So let's get started!

Part 1: Getting to Worlds!

1. The excitement before the contest never stops

To be sure, the videos from the World Yo-Yo Contest are the reason a lot of people start getting interested in yo-yo. Even if that's not the case, so many of those videos are engrained in public memory as pivotal moments in yo-yo history. New tricks get performed in competition for the first time, and leave a major impression on the scene worldwide. Let's face it, Worlds is the biggest contest in, well, the world! How can you not get excited about that?

Moreover, "Worlds" are also a major event for yo-yo companies of all types. Makers release new models and exhibit their potential on stage, other new parts and accessories are shown off for the first time, and it creates a very festival-like atmosphere. It's like a really fun convention mixed into the competition as well. It's not going too far to say that Worlds are the pivotal moment each year in the yo-yo world.

Although Worlds only lasts for 3 days, really the excitement that has built up over the past year, and our ambitions and hopes for the coming year are all tightly packed into those few days. Even moreso, the moment that the new world champions are announced is truly an incredible moment to behold.

But for the players themselves who are gunning for the grand prize, it's not just a sense of excitement and nervousness, they've devoted countless hours over the past year with this goal in mind, and while it very well may vanish like a popping soap bubble, that apprehension leading up to the moment the winners are announced is a feeling that only competitors may know. And it's all decided by their 3-minute freestyles. Will I make it there safely? Will I pass through the prelims and semi-finals? Will I forget my string or parts? Do I have enough spare yo-yos? These are all the kinds of things that run through a player's mind as they're getting ready to go to Florida. Since it's an "away" competition for most of us, there's a lot more to be worried about!

Worlds is not just a contest, it can have a huge impact on your life, whether you're a player or even a spectator. Everyone takes home cherished memories from Worlds, we'd have to say plainly that if you like yo-yo, you must go to Worlds at least once. As much trouble as it is to attend the contest, you'll be paid back ten-fold in fun and memories.

2. Getting Ready in Various Ways

Worlds are held every year in Orlando, Florida, in a hall at the Rosen Plaza Hotel. Orlando is a popular spot for tourists, and around the hotel are such attractions as Universal Studios, Disney World, Sea World and so on; many players and spectators take advantage of this and go sightseeing before and after the competition. There's also a lot of malls with good shopping, and even the Kennedy Space Center isn't too far away. If you like to travel, this is already a good spot to visit. So in addition to getting there, most people also plan for a lot of non yo-yo related adventures. The schedules fill up pretty quickly.

Since many players hole themselves up in the hotel for nonstop practice, they tend to burn through consumable goods like strings and response pads quicker than normal, so each player usually has quite an arsenal with him. to ensure that nothing goes wrong, many players burn multiple copies of their music CDs and entry sheets. It's not uncommon to have workout clothes for practice. Packing for Worlds isn't like any other kind of trip.

Some players, in order to be better prepared and rested, and free from the effects of jetlag, will try to arrive extra early to the hotel. Some players don't have the luxury of having so much extra time, so they set a strict sleeping schedule for the plane ride, and like other athletes, have sets of exercises and warm-ups to make sure they're well prepared to go on stage. Some players go so far as to bring food from their home to avoid having any trouble adjusting to the local cuisine. The hotel rooms have their own ranges, so players can cook for themselves if they wish.

Some members of JYYF (Japan Yo-Yo Federation) come to worlds to act as official judges. These hard-workers study the contest rules, hold meetings, and consult with judges from all over the world to make sure everyone is on the same page. There is a lot of preparation for the judges to do. Other opportunities for international judges to get together are few, limited to events like EYYC and AP. At these meetings, the judges exchange information on the state of affairs of the yo-yo scenes in their respective countries. Just like the players (after all, judges are all players as well), they'll also trade tricks and yo-yo gossip, and introduce new players to each other. English is the lingua franca, so if it's not your first language, brush up on it!

Lastly, make sure you have the hotel directions and address copied onto your phone, printed out, and tattooed somewhere on your body. It'll make the taxi ride that much easier.

3. Thinking About How to Pass the Long Flight

America is an incredibly large place, and to fly to the east coast from Japan is totally different from flying to the west coast, taking at least 3 or 4 hours more. Florida is THE farthest state from Japan, so we're looking at about 16 hours sitting on the plane, over half of an entire day, creating a sudden time difference that few Japanese people experience.

So, we have to think about what to do on the plane. Depending on their goals for the trip, everyone has different ideas for this. Generally, it's much like any other trip, and time passes with some phone games, listening to music, reading books, watching movies or TV shows, or sleeping. Also, talking to fellow travelers is a great way to make the time pass quickly.

So, finally sitting on the plane on their way to Worlds, many players will kick back and listen to their freestyle music, going over their routine in their heads. Of course, no one can resist the temptation, and everyone eventually disappears from their seat and finds a quiet place to practice.

In addition, as there are no direct flights from Japan to Florida, after a 10-13 hour flight, there are layovers to deal with, usually in San Francisco or Los Angeles. Lots of good duty-free shopping here, so be sure not to spend all of your hotel money at the airport.

See you next time, there's more to say!