Florida boy who learned how to handle fireknife from watching YouTube wins competition
By APFriday, May 14, 2010
YouTube-trained boy wins fireknife competition
LAIE, Hawaii — An 11-year-old boy who learned how to handle the Samoan fireknife from watching YouTube videos has claimed his age division at the 18th annual World Fireknife Championships in Hawaii.
Preston Weber of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has been an enthusiast for only about year, but he was skillful enough to win the 6-11 Junior Division on Thursday night at the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Rex Tiumalu of Orlando, Fla., took the 12-17 Junior Division.
The fireknife dance consists of twirling a sharp knife, with both ends on fire, at high speeds. It stems from a knife dance Samoan warriors performed before battle to frighten the enemy and afterward to celebrate victory.
The adult individual world champion will be crowned Saturday night.
