Betty Gallegos was 12 years old when she and her mom stumbled across a yo-yo competition in a park near their home in Mexico City. Gallegos watched in awe as participants whipped spinning yo-yos into the air and looped the strings around their fingers and arms.
Afterward, Gallegos’s mom bought her a yo-yo. She practiced for years to master the stunts she’d seen—and some she came up with herself. Today, Gallegos, now 22, is part of a community of more than 10,000 competitive yo-yoers. They teach tricks using online videos and compete at national and international events.
During competitions, yo-yoers like Gallegos perform routines to music. Judges award points for artistry, difficulty, and execution. It takes a lot of skill and practice. Competitors also get help from specially designed yo-yos. These high-tech devices can spin faster and longer than average yo-yos, allowing for spectacular stunts!