Jake Elliott shows off his high-speed tricks during the World Yo-Yo Contest in Tokyo. yoyovideoarchive/YouTube video screenshot

TOKYO, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- A pair of young U.S. performers were dubbed world champions of yo-yo after impressive showings at the 2015 World Yo-Yo Contest in Tokyo.

Colorado resident Zach Gormley, 19, came out on top in the "1A" category, which requires participants to have their yo-yos attached to their fingers, while fellow U.S. resident Jake Elliott, 20, of Michigan took the top spot in the "5A" or "freehand" category, which involves attaching the yo-yo to a counterweight instead of the performer's hand.


Gormley's winning routine involved a dizzying flurry of tricks performed in rapid succession along with music and choreography.

The Colorado resident's routine elicited numerous "oos" and "ahhs" from the audience.

Elliott's routine similarly featured dramatic music and choreography, but his freehand style of yo-yo allowed him to demonstrate even more speed.

Elliott narrowly defeated six-time world yo-yo champion Takeshi Matsuura, who has dominated the category since 2008.