Kendama USA

Archive for August, 2017

Kendama World Cup 2017 Recap

The 4th Annual Kendama World Cup took place in none other than Hatsukaichi; the birthplace of Kendama. This year was even greater than the last and seeing more and more players from across the globe shows how Kendama is spreading.  There are so many connections that are made through Kendama and friends seeing each other for the first time or linking back up at the airport and venue is always a warm welcome. The first day is always arduous as the full list of registered players which is always over 100, is whittled down to 35 top finalists which will compete in the next day’s championship round where one winner will be crowned the 2017 Champion. Let’s take a look at what all went down…

DAY 1:

The competition was fierce and by the end of Day 1 KUSA had 4 people moving onto the final round with Nobu of Tribe in the #1 spot.

DAY 1 RESULTS:

01. Nobuyoshi Norioka (JPN – 96)
02. Yutaro Fukushima (JPN – 96)
03. Lukas Funk (USA – 90)
04. Logan Tosta (USA – 90)
05. Jake Fischer (USA – 89)
06. Soma Kanemoto (JPN – 89)
07. Toko Mukai (JPN – 89)
08. Soma Fujita (JPN – 89)
09. So Kanada (JPN – 88)
10. Yuta Satoda (JPN – 88)
11. Yukie Yao (JPN – 88)
12. Nonoka Kyodo (JPN – 88)
13. Nicholas Stodd (USA – 88)
14. Liad Kotlarker (ISR – 87)
15. Kengo Kawamura (JPN – 87)
16. Parker Johnson (USA – 86)
17. Zack Gallagher (USA – 86)
18. Kenta Shikagawa (JPN – 86)
19. Jonney Kress (USA – 86)
20. Yoshiki Goto (JPN – 86)
21. Gavin Harvey (USA – 85)
22. Sho Hanasaki (JPN – 85)
23. Terence Kawamoto (USA – 85)
24. Taiki Tachida (JPN – 83)
25. Carter Justice (USA – 83)
26. Yuji Shimada (JPN – 83)

Wildcards :
- Lau Chun Ho (HKG – 74)
- Antonio Kyan (PER – 61)
- Rodney Ansell (CAN – 58)
- Nozomi Arita (JPN – 78)

Regional Seeds :
- Andrei Goia (ROM – 72; European Seed)
- Nick Gallagher (USA – 91; N. America Champ)
- Bryson Lee (USA – 98; KWC 2016 Champ)
- Wyatt Bray (USA – 70; KWC 2015 Champ)
- Bonz Atron (USA – 52; KWC 2014 Champ)

DAY 2:

So Kanada takes the win and is both the first Japanese and the first unsponsored player to take the championship title.

We love to see Japanese players embracing Freestyle play more and can’t wait where tricks will take us in 2018.

DAY 2 FINAL RESULTS:

KWC Final Score :

1. So Kanada – Japan ( 88 + 1212 ) = 1300
2. Bryson Lee – U. S. A. ( 98 + 1028 ) = 1126
3. Liad Kotlarker – Israel ( 87 + 979 ) = 1066
4. Lukas Funk – U. S. A. ( 90 + 910 ) = 1000
5. Nick Gallagher – U. S. A. ( 91 + 888 ) = 979
6. Jake Fischer – U. S. A. ( 89 + 856 ) = 945
7. Gavin Harvey – U. S. A. ( 85 + 846 ) = 931
8. Nonoka Kyodo – Japan ( 88 + 810 ) = 898
9. Soma Kanemoto – Japan ( 89 + 795 ) = 884
10. Logan Tosta – U. S. A. ( 90 + 791 ) = 881
11. Zack Gallagher – U. S. A. ( 86 + 665 ) = 751
12. Wyatt Bray – U. S. A. ( 70 + 657 ) = 727
13. Carter Justice – U. S. A. ( 83 + 636 ) = 719
14. Yuta Satoda – Japan ( 88 + 620 ) = 708
15. Nicholas Stodd – U. S. A. ( 88 + 598 ) = 686
16. Parker Johnson – U. S. A. ( 86 + 580 ) = 666
17. Yukie Yao – Japan ( 88 + 573 ) = 661
18. Kengo Kawamura – Japan ( 87 + 535 ) = 622
19. Nobuyoshi Norioka – Japan ( 96 + 500 ) = 596
20. Yutaro Fukushima – Japan ( 96 + 481 ) = 577
21. Soma Fujita – Japan ( 89 + 483 ) = 572
22. Sho Hanasaki – Japan ( 85 + 462 ) = 547
23. Terence Kawamoto – U. S. A. ( 85 + 460 ) = 545
24. Jonney Kress – U. S. A. ( 86 + 447 ) = 533
25. Kenta Shikagawa – Japan ( 86 + 423 ) = 509
26. Yoshiki Goto – Japan ( 86 + 394 ) = 480
27. Yuji Shimada – Japan ( 83 + 389 ) = 472
28. Bonz Atron – U. S. A. ( 52 + 388 ) = 440
29. Taiki Tachida – Japan ( 83 + 354 ) = 437
30. Andrei Goia – Romania ( 72 + 359 ) = 431
31. Toko Mukai – Japan ( 89 + 272 ) = 361
32. Rodney Ansell – Canada ( 58 + 254 ) = 312
33. Lau Chun Ho – Hong Kong ( 74 + 199 ) = 273
34. Nozomi Arita – Japan ( 78 + 149 ) = 227
35. Antonio Kyan – Peru ( 61 + 34 ) = 95

 

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Adam Savage and Vsauce’s Michael Stevens Build a Kendama!

VSauce’s Michael Stevens visits Tested’s/MythBusters Adam Savage to build themselves, that’s right, a KENDAMA!
Michael recently started playing Kendama and enlists Adam’s help to make one from scratch that will help optimize his play.
They quickly find out that there is a lot that goes into making one and this one day build vid is one of the longest yet!

Check out the video here:

GET A BLACK CLASSIC KENDAMA LIKE MICHAEL!

Michael Stevens - Kendama USA Black Classic Kendama

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Click Clack Radio S1 Ep. 7 – Miya Song Interview

Miya Song is a Kendama USA Tribe member, living in Oahu, Hawaii.  Not only is she one of best female players in the game, she’s also an artist and is known for her Strawberry mark when signing damas!

Listen & enjoy this mellow & humorous interview with the one and only, Miya Song.

Special thanks:
Molly Harney (null)
Haley Bishoff (null)
Miya Song (@_Miyasong)
Jack Baker – Production (@freewheelinfilm)
KendamaUSA – Premiere Sponsor (null)
Click Clack Radio (null)

Don’t forget to use the code “CLICKCLACK” to get 10% off your order at www.KendamaUSA.com

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Kendama Club Spotlight: MKGA – Mailtand, Florida

MKGA Florida - Kendama Jam Meetup | Maitland, FL

MKGA is a Kendama club in Maitland, Florida which is part of the greater Orlando area. MKGA has over 30 members and was started by Andrew Kokol.
We caught up with Andrew and had interviewed him during an event we held in their area; check out what he had to say!

Q: When did you create the club?
A: December 2016

Q: How many members are in your club?
A: Over 30

Q: When is your next jam and where does your club meet?
A: I’m not sure when our next jam will be, but we are located in Maitland, FL near Orlando and we usually do them at parks.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about Kendama?
A: I love the way that everyone has their own unique way of Kendama and I love all tricks you can do and the possibilities are endless!

Q: Favorite Kendama USA Pro and why?
A: It’s between TJ and Jake. I love how TJ travels everywhere and teaches Kendama and makes everyone love it, but Jake has his own style in Kendama which I love!!

Q: Favorite Kendama USA Kendama?
A: I really like the Kaizen Silks and the Crafts because you guys created it yourself, and I like all different shapes.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
A: “If you are content, you will always have enough.” – Lao Tzu

MKGA Florida - Winter Park Kendama Jam | Winter Park, FL

You can keep up with their club happenings on their Instagram @m_k_g_a and join in if you’re in the area!

Want to start a club in your area? Contact us to get started!
Want your club to be featured? Make sure to tag @kendamausa & #kendamausa on your posts so we can see your club.

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