About Hajime Sakauchi
Hajime Sakauchi is a Japanese competitive yo-yo player specializing in 2A (two-handed looping), representing Japan under sponsorship from Duncan Toys and UTmed. He became the youngest player to reach the 2A finals at the World Yo-Yo Contest when he debuted on the world stage in Cleveland in 2019 at age 16, placing third with a score of 65.3—a result that immediately established him as one of the division’s most promising competitors. Duncan Toys noted at the time that his “fast and efficient style of 2A play” set him apart from players with more established track records.
After a period of consistent development on the Japan circuit—placing third at Japan Nationals in both 2020 and 2022, and second at the Online WYYC 2022—Sakauchi broke through decisively in 2023. He won the Japan National Championship in the 2A division, then went on to claim the 2A World Championship at WYYC 2023 in Osaka, Japan. He defended that title in 2024 at WYYC 2024, becoming a back-to-back world champion. He also won Japan Nationals again in 2024 (his second national title) and again in 2025 (his third).
At WYYC 2025 in Prague, Sakauchi placed second in the 2A final, with Arata Imai taking the world title. Across six documented World Yo-Yo Contest appearances, Sakauchi has finished in the top three each time: one third, one second (Online), two first places, and one second in 2025. His competition record makes him one of the most decorated active 2A players in the world.
Sakauchi competes using the Duncan Hornet, a bearing looper co-developed with input from Duncan’s international team. A dedicated Hajime Sakauchi Edition Hornet colorway—translucent in appearance—has been available through Duncan’s retail channels since at least 2023. He is listed on the Duncan team’s main roster page alongside other international athletes, and the Duncan brand has featured his performances in both their 2022 and 2023 product catalogs.
