About James Heder
James Heder is a 1A and 4A competitor from Orlando, Florida, sponsored by YoYoFriends. He discovered yoyoing by chance — winning a yoyo from a school math game prize bag, then watching Gentry Stein’s 2019 U.S. Nationals freestyle and getting completely hooked on the sport.
Heder rose quickly through the competitive ranks after making his contest debut at the 2023 Florida State Yoyo Contest, where he won the sport division. YoYoFriends noticed him at the 2024 U.S. Nationals when he was 12 years old and officially signed him at WYYC 2024 in Cleveland. By 2025 he had won the Northeast Regionals and the New York State Championship, placed 6th at U.S. Nationals — exceeding his own stated goal of top 10 — and made the finals at WYYC 2025 in Prague, another goal he had publicly set.
In November 2025, YoYoFriends released the Artifice — Heder’s first signature monometal, making him one of the youngest players to hold a signature model in the modern era. The name, chosen by Heder himself, reflects his approach to the sport: a clever, artful skill. Known for technical and slack-heavy 1A play, he has been described by YoYoFriends as “one of the bright futures in yoyoing.”
In Their Own Words
In a YoYoFriends team Q&A, Heder answered questions about his journey in the sport:
What got you into throwing?
My story is probably pretty different from a lot of people. I was at school and I won a math game, and I happened to pull out a yoyo from the prize bag! I started playing with it for the rest of the day, and the next day I saw Gentry Stein’s 2019 U.S. Nationals freestyle. After that I got hooked!
What is your goal for yourself — yoyo or not?
My main goals are to get top ten at the U.S. National Yoyo Contest and to make finals at Worlds!
What trick are you working on?
I don’t have a specific trick I’m working on but I’ve mostly been working on making my own tricks!
What’s the trick that gives you the hardest time?
Ayumu Kasuga behind-the-head arm hop.
What’s your favorite trick?
Anything techy/slack.
What’s your favorite yoyo of all time?
Currently it’s gotta be the YoYoFriends Sunwing. I love how the yoyo moves on the string and I love making tricks on it!
What’s the most meaningful throw you have?
The most meaningful throw I have is probably the first yoyo YoYoFriends sent me, which is a Peregrine X. It always reminds me of their generosity and how amazing of a sponsor they are.
What does yoyoing mean to you?
Yoyoing to me is something that can be done anywhere, with infinite potential. It’s something that I love, and I’ll try to stay with this community for a long time to come!
What’s your favorite memory from your time in the hobby?
My favorite memory in yoyoing so far was probably winning my first yoyo contest, which was the sport division at the Florida State Yoyo Contest in 2023.
What’s your best advice for people to get better at yoyoing?
Don’t get discouraged if you’re not doing well with whatever you’re trying to do in yoyo, just keep at it and you’ll succeed.
How has the community changed since you started?
I’ve seen that more and more young throwers are entering the community, and tricks are just getting harder and harder. Contests aren’t everything, and I think yoyoing is something that is meant to be fun.
Advice to new players?
If you’re just starting out, you shouldn’t worry about winning contests or having to get sponsored — just enjoy the sport and learn everything you can!
What do you want to tell the world?
I want to thank the community for being so kind and supportive. I’m very glad I stuck with this hobby — the connections I’ve made are incredible!
