So the big announcement finally came out. You just heard it on YoYoRadio, and Ondrej Sedivy reached out to me yesterday with an official press release. The International Yo-Yo Federation and the World Yo-Yo Contest have merged. After 14 years, Greg has handed off the World Yo-Yo Contest. This year, Worlds will be in Florida and after that, Czech, then Tokyo. Below is the official statement. It also looks like the official board members for the IYYF have been named. Ondrej Sedivy (CYA), Hironori Mii (JYYF), Rafael Matsunaga (ABI), Thad Winzenz(NYYL), Gregory Cohen (WYYC). This is huge, and will help legitimize our sport!
We are proud to announce that the World Yo-Yo Contest and the newly formed International Yo-Yo Federation (IYYF) are going to merge into one organization, with the IYYF taking over the running of the World Yo-Yo Contest.
IYYF is a nonprofit organization that unites national associations and is designed to become the governing body for yo-yoing as a sport. Starting in 2014 the IYYF will be responsible for hosting the World Yo-Yo Contest. After 14 years as chairman of the contest, Gregory Cohen is passing the torch to the IYYF so that, together with national yoyo associations, the IYYF will host the WYYC in countries around the world. The planned schedule for the next four years is:
* 2013 United States of America (Orlando, Florida)
* 2014 Czech Republic (Prague)
* 2015 Japan (Tokyo)
* 2016 United States of America
The exact locations and dates of these events will be announced when they become available. We will do our best to help the yo-yo community grow, support contests and national associations around the world and much more.
You can find more information at http://iyyf.org and at http://worldyoyocontest.com
Ondrej Sedivy (CYA), Hironori Mii (JYYF), Rafael Matsunaga (ABI), Thad Winzenz(NYYL), Gregory Cohen (WYYC)
#1 by Joe - February 9th, 2013 at 06:36
I know Greg came under a lot of pressure from monied yoyo companies and others who did not like him having control of Worlds. I’m guessing they want an event they can have more control over. I’ve heard some folks do not like Greg and others do, but I feel he did a wonderful job. Exposure of our sport is a great thing, especially if you sell yoyos. Rotating Worlds will allow kids who were not able to attend to go, but will now exclude others who have been going and now will not be able to afford it. The only group who will be able to compete will be a core group sponsored by big companies and some wealthier kids who now attend almost all contests. A lot of regular kids who have worked hard on their skills and attended Worlds will not be able to go. See you in Prague
#2 by stringking - February 9th, 2013 at 07:14
I think this may be both a good and bad thing. On one hand, I t will make the contest truly more global, and more people overall will be able to attendl. On the other hand it will make it harder for others to attend.
#3 by Me - February 9th, 2013 at 12:49
Notice: “* 2016 United States of America”
While the first thing that popped in my mind was “west coast worlds,” Boston or NYC, even Chicago would be excellent choices as well. All in all, this is big news.
#4 by Plankton - February 9th, 2013 at 15:09
This is good. There’s no argument for people that ‘wont’ be able to go to worlds now’ as that’s always true, just not for people that live in the US.
Ultimately it create a more exciting, competitive and grand stage for the top yoyoers who will be there wherever it is.
#5 by Preston - February 9th, 2013 at 18:11
I know it sounds weird, but it would be so dope and expanding for the yoyo community if we moved it one year to the south… now before you think “thats so stupid”, there are not that many yoyoers in the south, especially Louisiana. (where i live) im not saying this just for me. Heck, we could put it anywhere in the south. Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, etc. but as of now there are no contests in Louisiana or anywhere remotely close.
Just some thoughts.
Preston
#6 by Me - February 10th, 2013 at 11:41
No Preston, I’m going to think “thats so stupid” because Orlando is in the South…
#7 by Ben - February 10th, 2013 at 23:20
” The only group who will be able to compete will be a core group sponsored by big companies and some wealthier kids who now attend almost all contests.”
Because America is the only country with local kids? Tokyo and Europe don’t have ANY kids who will be able to compete for the first time because the contest will be near to them?
There is no conspiracy here. This is a good thing.
#8 by Joe - February 11th, 2013 at 06:15
Ben, you are correct, there are kids in Europe and Asia who may now get a chance to attend because Worlds is near them. No conspiracy theory intended, just some thoughts taken from yoyofactory and other facebook posts from kids here.
#9 by Preston - February 11th, 2013 at 17:03
Good point Me,
But it is a 14-16 hour drive to Orlando… And some people cant afford to fly… But you didnt need to get all smart about…