StickHeroes201812

Chen is a sticks coach in Taiwan. She won first place at the Taiwan Sticks National Competition. She has excellent contact skills.

Name:

Kuan-yin Chen

Age:

26 years old

Nationality:

Taiwanese

Place of living:

I live in a place that is a great mixture of urban metropolis and nature. The community is warm and friendly.

Job:

Sporting goods store manager, sticks coach

How many years have you been juggling with devilsticks?

I started contact sticks in my third year of college, and now I have been practicing for 5 years.

The number of devilsticks you have:

At least 10 sets of sticks.

Your juggling achievements:

First place at the Taiwan Sticks National Competition; third place at the Hong Kong Youth Juggling Cup.

Are you a member of any team/group/club/association?

I am a member of the Chinese Taipei Sticks Sports Federation, a government-funded non-profit organization that promotes stick sports in Taiwan. It was founded 5 years ago and holds regular seminars and courses. I work as a lecturer and flowerstick teacher, and I am occasionally invited to perform on TV shows.

Why did you choose this juggling tool, and where did you first encounter it?

In my third year of college, I met a coach and started learning sticks out of curiosity. Many children in Taiwan are highly skilled, so elementary school students became my teachers.

Where did you learn to play with devilsticks?

At the school club.

What are your favorite tricks?

Tricks where the stick rotates in the hand or on the foot.

What is the most difficult trick you would like to learn?

Using more than three sets of sticks at once.

In what style do you play, and what other styles do you like?

I enjoy the gorgeous, fancy style. For performances, I wear a fancy skating dress.

What do you do in a typical day, and how many hours do you practice?

When I train intensively, I practice at least 4 hours a day.

Do you teach juggling?

I teach flowersticks to students of all ages: elementary school, middle school, college, and adults.

Why do you like devilsticks?

I enjoy the many playing options and the creativity they allow.

What are your strong and weak points regarding juggling?

There are very few female jugglers in Taiwan, so being a girl is an advantage. A downside is that my work sometimes interrupts my practice.

How is the juggling scene in Taiwan? Are devilsticks popular?

Devilsticks are very popular because the government and associations work together to promote the sport and train more players. Many schools teach stick skills, and both teachers and parents are very supportive.

What are your goals related to devilsticks, and what is a challenge for you?

My goal is to improve my skills and increase the difficulty of my moves, making my performances more impressive.

How do you imagine yourself when you are older? Will you still juggle?

Yes, I will continue juggling because it brings me happiness.

Can you imagine not juggling devilsticks anymore?

No, I cannot imagine it.

What advice do you have for beginner or advanced devilstick players?

Believe in yourself — you can do it!