Johnnie Delvalle

Johnnie Delvalle (often abbreviated to JD) is a world champion yo-yo player whose real name is John Steel. Delvalle is often characterized by wearing sleeveless black shirts. Before moving to become a part of Team YoYoJam, Delvalle was a memeber of Team Spintastics.

In 2002-2004 Delvalle set new 1A play standards, popularizing a style of knot-like complexity, as well as creating grinds, stalls, and freegens (Free Generation, also a term used to define 5A/Freehand Mid-Air Spin Regenerations). These tricks and styles were popularized in freestyles and clip videos made by Johnnie such as Remnant, Grindslave, Hitman: The Final Chapter, and X: The Movie.

He also designed a number of YoYoJam Signature Series yo-yos: the YoYoJam Hitman, the YoYoJam Lyn Fury, the YoYoJam X-Con and the YoYoJam X-ConVict.

Johnnie retired from competition in 2003 after winning BAC, US Nationals and the 2003 World Yo-Yo Contest. He is still however very active in the scene, appearing as a judge and demonstrator at a variety of contests.

For a brief period in 2004-2005 Delvalle operated an online yo-yo store called Yo-yo Best Buy where customers had the option of getting the yo-yo they purchased 'pimped' (shims added and the bearing cleaned) by Johnnie himself.

Johnnie also has used a couple of pseudonyms in the past, including Lionel Drake, first used in the video Lion-Flo. In 2006 Johnnie returned as Lionel at the Redondo Pier Contest, taking 1st place in the 1A division.

Achievements

2001

• California State - 1st Place

2002

• Bay Area Classic - 1st Place
• California State - 1st Place
• US Nationals - 4th Place

2003

• Bay Area Classic - 1st Place
• US Nationals - 1A - 1st place
• World Yo-Yo Contest - 1A - 1st place
• Trick innovator of the year award

2006

• Redondo Pier Contest - 1A - 1st place (Competing as Lionel Drake)

External link

• Yoyofreakz (his personal website)