Grant Johnson, a high school sophomore from Manhattan Beach, Calif., has been described by those who know him as the yo-yo champ with the Ferris Bueller attitude. And indeed, all the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies, buttheads; they all adore him. Johnson, 15, won the U.S. National Yo-Yo Contest on Oct. 2 in Chico, Calif, with a series of moves you won’t believe. But in case you think that this is kid’s stuff, please note that Johnson — like many of the top yo-yo specialists — has his own sponsor.
Video following the jump.
From the Los Angeles Times:
Johnson’s “Revolution” — manufactured by YoYoJam, his sponsoring company — is emblazoned with a red fist and comes complete with an “all-new ‘Solid Spin’ high-grade aluminum axle system,” according to the promotions. It can be had for $48, though performance yo-yos often cost over $100 and custom jobs as much as $400.
“It was designed with my style in mind,” said Johnson, who has strutted his stuff on national TV and has an upcoming in-store commercial at a chain of hip clothing outlets.
Chico, apparently, is the yo-yo capital of the world; people actually attend Chico State to be close to the National Contest, and the city’s yo-yo reputation.
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Grant Johnson, yo-yo king [Los Angeles Times]
