‘A creative outlet’: National yo-yo championships held in Calgary

Some of Canada's finest yo-yo players were in Calgary for the long weekend to compete in the championships.

Some of Canada’s finest yo-yo players were in Calgary on the long weekend to compete in the national championships.

About 40 competitors took part at the Central Library.

There were two divisions: the championship division, which focusses on traditional yo-yo, and an open division, highlighting different styles of yo-yoing.

Judges were looking for showmanship and how well competitors interacted with their chosen music.

Competition organizer Jungyo Choi explains what judges were looking for: “Trick complexity, what types of trick complexity, difficulties, originality, and their overall body composure also matters too.”

Competitor Ian Sadio has been yo-yoing for about 14 years.

“It’s one of those things that has kind of grown with me over the years,” he said. “It’s a creative outlet, and just something really fun to do.”

Winners from the competition will go to Japan for the world yo-yo contest later this year.