How many yo-yos do you think could be put into action by one person at one time? Four? Six? Believe it or not, the current world record is nine!
At 11:30 on Tuesday, 26 January, on the Esdevium Games stand at London Toy Fair, Ben McPhee will attempt to smash that record, spinning as many as 12 yo-yos at one time.
“2010 looks like it’s going to be the year of the yo-yo here in the UK,” Ben said, “so it seemed like a good idea to start the year off with a real yo-yo challenge. Pushing the limits. New tricks, new styles of play, innovative yoyo design. That's what gives me passion for the sport.”
| And passion he has: He is the 1998 Australian National Yo-Yo Champion, and has travelled around the world teaching people how to yo-yo. There isn’t another guy on the planet who has visited more countries demonstrating and promoting yo-yos. He now serves as the Product and Brand Manager for YoYoFactory, a maker of high-quality yo-yos that has innovated new yo-yo technologies in recent years. |
Ben is visiting the UK specifically to make this yo-yo record attempt. It’s part of activities to launch the YoYoFactory line of yo-yos in the UK. In fact, Ben will be using a variety of YoYoFactory yo-yos in the attempt, including the company’s flagship F.A.S.T. 201, the world’s first adjustable yo-yo, along with the Velocity and Spinstar models. YoYoFactory’s yo-yos focus on innovative technologies that make yo-yo tricks easy even for beginning players, and these innovations will be key in helping Ben beat the world record.
Current World Yo-Yo Champion Kentaro Kimura, along with Vashek Kroutil (contender for European Champion the following weekend) and Craig Squires (1998 UK National Champion) will also be present to cheer Ben on during his attempt.
The attempt is sponsored by YoYoFactory and Esdevium Games, Ltd., the exclusive UK distributor for YoYo Factory.
The current world record for this feat was set on 4th November 2006, by Eric Lindeen of Sweden, with nine yo-yos. |
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The yo-yo has an interesting history, with technology that has evolved over time. Did you know:
- The yo-yo is thought to have originated in China in 1000B.C. where it took the form of two connected ivory discs on a silk string
- The earliest surviving examples have been dated to around 500 BC; they are mentioned in Greek historical records and can be seen depicted in vase paintings. It is thought this makes the yo-yo second only to the doll as the oldest toy in the world.
- The yo-yo spread across Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming especially popular among the aristocracy of France, Scotland and England. Yo-yos during this period were often extremely ornate and constructed from ivory or glass with polished brass axles.
- The yo-yo craze hit the USA in the 1920s with a man named Pedro Flores and the start of his 'Yo-yo Manufacturing Company' in Santa Barbara, California. Although patents existed for similar toys in the US prior to his arrival, Flores is credited with introducing the Filipino style of yo-yo with the 'looped slip string'. His company was soon producing over 3,000 yoyos an hour!
- Since 2004 YoYoFactory have been making yo-yos employing innovative technology in the bearings and body. The F.A.S.T. 201 yo-yo, for example can be adjusted to different levels of sensitivity, allowing the user to adjust the yo-yo depending on his skill level and the difficulty of his tricks.
Ben McPhee
Hailing from the beaches of Australia, Ben McPhee has put his surfboard wax aside to travel the world as a yo-yo professional. He placed in the top 5 at the world level before transitioning to a development role and also a designer of high performance yo-yos.
He has assembled the greatest collection of yo-yo players on the planet for the YoYoFactory Contest Team. Under his leadership they have taken victories on every corner of the planet using yo-yos Ben designed. These champions have captured World Titles in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
Ben still performs on promotional tours and occasionally takes to the contest arena. In 2010 he aims to visit over 12 international contests, set a new world record and place in the top 5 in at least one major tournament.
For further information, images and samples please contact: Emma Arthur, Esdevium Games Press Office, Norton & Co.
Tel: 01608 812830
Email: emma@nortonandco.com |
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