Singapore's yo-yo scene spins back to life with young fans

On stage for the first time, little James Liew steeled his nerves, took a deep breath and blocked out the cheers from the crowd.

- Calista Wong

At the beat drop, the seven-year-old unleashed the yo-yo that was resting in his palm, and his moves morphed into a blur of rapid movements and smooth tricks.

That evening in July, James placed ninth among 13 participants in the junior division at the Singapore Yo-yo Championships. The division featured players aged 16 and under.

For James, though, the placing did not matter. Just competing on stage at the Foochow Building in Jalan Besar, in front of almost a hundred people, was a milestone in his yo-yo journey. He picked up the activity in February 2024, and it has since grown into one he practises with zealous devotion.

The Primary 2 pupil, who turned eight shortly after the competition, told The Straits Times: "The best part is learning new tricks and showing them to my family and friends. It makes me really happy and I never get bored with it."

James is part of a group of peppy young players fronting a refreshed wave of interest here in the decades-old hobby.

Since August 2024, he has regularly attended yo-yo meetups, where about 30 other enthusiasts - most of whom are aged from seven to their 20s - band together to practise routines, and share tips and tricks.

The monthly sessions are organised by Mr Marcus Koh, 32, founder of yo-yo company Throw-Revolution.

While the yo-yo is a popular pastime enjoyed by generations, hype around the "modern" yo-yo - featuring sophisticated parts like ball bearings - landed in Singapore in the 1990s, buoyed by the popularity of the ProYo by American maker Playmaxx.