[Interview] 2014 WYYC 5A Champion Takeshi Matsuura
[2014 World Yo-Yo Contest Champion Interview]
2014 WYYC 5A Champion Takeshi Matsuura (Turning Point)
Q1. When did you start playing yo-yo?
When I was in 1st Grade in Elementary School!
Q2. Why did you start playing yo-yo?
Because of the 2003 Hyper Yo-Yo [promotion]!
Q3. Who are some of the yo-yo players you respect/admire/look up to?
There are players I admire but I’ll leave it without saying who.
Q4. What made you choose 5A as your main style?
I was shocked to realize “There’s such a division in yo-yoing!” and it seemed interesting!
Q5. Last year you were also the runner-up in the WYYC 1A Division. Other than 5A and 1A, do you plan to enter any other divisions in the future?
I haven’t really decided, but if I start to feel like I want to enter [a division] I will!
Q6. How do you usually practice (where, who with, etc.)?
Usually I don’t play yo-yo in a “practicing” sense. I just kind of do what I want to do at that moment.
Q7. How does that change when you are preparing for different types of contests?
Before contests I rent a room in the community center and practice in a wide-open space.
Q8. Do you have any good stories from before you became a world champion that you want to share with us?
Do you have any good stories from before you became a world champion that you want to share with us?
None in particular.
Q9. How did you feel when you became a world champion?
I was happy!
Q10. Is there anything that changed for you after becoming a world champion?
I received the Global Award from my home prefecture, Saitama, and became a Saitama Goodwill Ambassador!
Q11. How do you feel going into this year’s World Yo-Yo Contest?
This year I plan to make a great effort in not only 5A, but also 1A. I want to do freestyles I can personally feel satisfied with and I aim to win, so please cheer for me!
Q12. What is yo-yo to you?
[Yo-Yo is] Something that continues to broaden my world!
Many thanks to Takeshi Matsuura! We wish him the best of luck at WYYC2015.