NYYL Recognition Awards

Every year the National YoYo League recognizes exceptional accomplishments among competitors, judges, organizers, and industry leaders.

Industry Excellence Award

For quality innovation, production, or promotion that advances the sport.

2026Tyler Hsieh
2025Mark Diehr
2024Gentry Stein
2016–2023 · not awarded
2015Hironori Mii
2014Patrick Mitchell
2013Ernie Kaiser
2012Chris Mikulin
2011David Metz & Shawn Nelson
2010Steve Buffel
2009Ben McPhee
2008Valerie Aaron
2007Mike Burke
2006Frank Difeo
2005Hans Van Dan Elzen
2004Steve Brown
2003Gregory Cohen
2002Dale Bell
2001Dale & Valerie Oliver
2000Brad Countryman
1999Alan Amaral
1998Tom Kuhn

National Achievement Award

For effort that improves the sport, and positively influences the industry.

2026Seth Peterson
2025Dave Adams
2024Colin Beckford
2016–2023 · not awarded
2014Augie Fash
2013Steve Brown
2012Brandon Jackson
2011John Higby
2010Chris Allen
2009Stu Branoff
2008Andre Boulay
2007David Capurro
2006Eric Wolff
2005Mo Chavez
2004Dick Stohr
2003Lucky Meisenheimer
2002John Stangle
2001Richy Nye
2000Cliff Coleman
1999Don Watson
1998Stuart Crump

Sportsmanship Award

The Mark Sitton Award — for personifying the best in sportsmanship as an example to others.

2026Katie Thompson
2025Eric Koloski
2024Michelle Dauer
2016–2023 · not awarded
2015Alex Hattori
2014Ed Haponik
2013Patrick Borgerding
2012Joseph Harris
2011Daniel Dietz
2010Paul Yath
2009Alex Berenguel
2008Augie Fash
2007Nathan Crissey
2006Takeshi Kamisato
2005Andre Boulay
2004Adam Dennehy
2003Patrick Mitchell
2002Paul Han
2001Dave Bazan
2000Dave Schulte
1999Paul Buethe
1998Hans Van Dan Elzen

National League Merit Award

For who best serves and supports the league as contest promoter or facilitator.

2026Todd Rollenhagen
2025Chris Ananda
2024Graeme Steller
2016–2023 · not awarded
2015Matthew Wright
2014Andre Boulay
2013Brian Cabildo
2012Stu Branoff
2011Jon & Rona Gates
2010Jake Maloney
2009Mark McBride
2008Nathan Crissey
2007Jack Finn
2006Joe Mitchell
2005Dave Bazan
2004Dave Schulte
2003Thad Winzenz

Most Inspirational Player Award

Conferred by the judges to an individual who proves an inspiration in this year’s National Contest.

2026Justin Dauer
2025Hunter Feuerstein
2024Aliyah Tan
2016–2023 · not awarded
2015Philip White
2014Tylor McCallumore
2013Ky Zizan
2012Ben Conde
2011Alex Hattori
2010Colin Leland
2009Patrick Mitchell
2008Andrew Bergen
2007Bryan Figueroa
2006Joseph Harris
2005Yoshi Mikamoto
2004John Bozung
2003Rob Kitts
2002David Noonan
2001Jennifer Kouri

Best Junior Player Award

Presented to the highest placing player aged 12 or younger in this year’s National Contest.

2014Nicholas deValpine
2013Angelo Aguirre
2012Ian Lawson
2011Michael Stecz
2010Alex Hattori
2009Gavin Lent
2008Not presented
2007Grant Johnson
2006Grant Johnson
2005John Narum
2004John Narum
2003Michael O’Connell
2002Ross Yonomine
2001Alexander Jacobs

Best Female Player Award

Presented to the highest placing female player in this year’s National Contest.

2015Tessa Piccillo
2014Tessa Piccillo
2013Stephanie Haight
2012Tessa Piccillo
2011Ann Connolly
2010Ann Connolly
2009Ann Connolly
2008Not presented
2007Not presented
2006Farrah Siegel
2005Farrah Siegel
2004Mina Tanikawa
2003Sharyn Miyaji
2002Not presented
2001Jennifer Kouri & Nana Sakamoto

Trick Innovator of the Year Award

Presented by past recipients to an important developer of creative and influential new yo-yo tricks.

2015Riccardo Fraolini
2014Drew Tetz
2013Zach Gormley
2012Daniel Ickler
2011Steve Brown
2010Jensen Kimmett
2009Not presented
2008John Ando
2007Jon Robinson & Jake Bullock
2006Jesse Garcia
2005Yuuki Spencer
2004Jason Lee
2003Johnnie DelValle
2002Paul Escolar
2001Doctor Popular