Born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, Saki Sensui's journey into the world of diabolo began during his high school years in 2016 when he was 16. Introduced to the art by a friend who invited him to join the juggling club, he embarked on a path that led him to become a skilled diabolo player. Inspired by Hiroki Kamei's performances on YouTube, he made the decision to pursue diabolo with dedication.
Saki achieved notable success in the diabolo world, including winning the Osaka International Diabolo Competition in 2017, earning a special award for his remarkable progress in just one year and four months. His achievements continued with a 3rd place finish at the Asia International Diabolo Championship in 2019, a 2nd place at the Osaka International Diabolo Competition in the same year, and a 3rd place at the Diabolo Malaysia Open Competition also in 2019. His triumphs culminated with a 1st place win in the Japan Open Diabolo Competition's vertax division in 2020, which took place during the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saki is a member of both the "Infinity" team at Waseda University and the ADC team in Taiwan. His journey from a high school enthusiast to a competitive diabolo player reflects his dedication and passion for the art.
Saki's finesse and mastery of Vertax
Saki's Interview
1. What do you like about vertical diabolo ?
バータックスのどこが好きですか
There are a lot of flashy techniques and it is interesting to see the diabolo move around the body and in the air in three dimensions.
2. How often do you usually practice ?
普段どのくらいの頻度で練習しますか?
Before competitions, I practice almost everyday, but otherwise I practice when I feel like it or when I come up with a technique. I don't have consistent sessions, such as once or three times a week.
3. What is the most difficult trick you have done ?
あなたがやった中で最も難しいトリックは何ですか?
This was really difficult. I named this trick “Iron Tail”, innovation trick (genocide) from my back and catch the stick on my back. All of Iron Tail’s tricks are difficult.
4. Can you describe your creative process? What do you take inspiration from?
あなたの創造的なプロセスについて説明していただけますか? 何からインスピレーションを得 ていますか?
Inspiration comes from many sources, such as horizontal tricks and other juggling stuff. For example, I see a move with horizontal diabolo and I ask myself if that is possible in vertax. That technique has an A element, but I wonder if it could be possible to add other elements such as a B or C? I sometimes start thinking from a vague image of "a technique to catch with the back through the back". I try to visualise it, to figure out the actual structure, and I try it over and over again. Then I can create a new visual trick.
5. What do you think about diabolo competition events ?
ディアボロの競技イベントについてどう思いますか?
I feel that competition is important for creating new techniques and expanding the possibilities of diabolo. In Japan, there are many people who are particularly positive about competitions, but recently I feel that the people who participate in competitions are always the same. I want players who are not yet confident in their skills to participate in competitions, even if they do not win. I'm sure they will have a good experience and know their goals. It's never too early to take the first step.
6. What do you think about the diabolo community in Japan ?
日本のディアボロコミュニティについてどう思いますか?
The communities are formed in regions, such as university groups. Each community has different technique trends and styles. The competition is almost the only time communities can interact. I think the entire diabolo community would be more active if there were opportunities to interact with people far away and outside of competitions.
7. Which diabolo model / bearing axle do you think is best for vertical diabolo ?
バータックスにはどのディアボロ モデル/ベアリング アクセルが最適だと思いますか?
The combination of Sundia Soarin hard type and Magforce axle is the best. Although it is heavy, the diabolo's movement is stable and the spinning is kept strong. The long axle makes it easy to hold with my fingers and to stabilise tricks.
8. What are your diabolo goals for the future ?
ディアボロの将来の目標は何ですか?
I want to become a player that someone admires, like Hiroki Kamei for me when I started diabolo. Even if one day I quit diabolo, I want to be a player that everyone remembers.
Youtube: Saki Sensui
Instagram : @sen_vertax
Hiroki is a 32 years old diabolo player living in Nagoya, Japan. He started at the age of 8 and was a pioneer in the idea of using two pairs of sticks with vertax.
Hiroki's Interview
1. How did you start diabolo?
ディアボロを始めたきっかけは何ですか？
Souvenir from the amusement park
2. How often do you usually practice ?
普段どのくらいの頻度で練習しますか?
Usually once a month.
Before a competition, once a week.
3. Can you describe your creative process? What do you take inspiration from ?
あなたの創造的なプロセスについて説明していただけますか? 何からインスピレーションを得
ていますか？
I get an idea out of the blue when I'm not practicing and write it down.
Then I try it out in practice once a month.
4. What do you think about diabolo competition events ?
ディアボロの競技イベントについてどう思いますか?
It is very good that if you fail, no one will bother you but yourself.
5. What do you think about the diabolo community in Japan ?
⽇本のディアボロコミュニティについてどう思いますか?
The current competition has developed since around 2012 and everyone is very close.
Thanks to Tetsunori Saito, who is the president of the Japan Diabolo Association, and many great players.
6. Which diabolo model / bearing axle do you think is best for vertical diabolo ?
バータックスにはどのディアボロ モデル/ベアリング アクセルが最適だと思いますか?
Sundia G3 5-B series.
But currently I am using Sundia Magforce.
7. What are your diabolo goals for the future ?
ディアボロの将来の⽬標は何ですか?
To compete in the team division with my loving wife and son.
My son is now 3 years old.
8. What do you think about Saki Sensui ?
泉水サキについてどう思いますか？
After the OIDC 2023, he said "I am retiring as a diabolo player".
But I believe that for diabolo players like him and me, there is no concept of retirement.
Come back whenever you feel like it.
I'll beat you.
9. What advices can you give to the younger generation ?
若い世代に何かアドバイスをいただけますか？
Fight me in competitions.
IJA video by Hiroki Kamei
