9-year-old yo-yo phenom from Summerville goes pro after US Championship win
Together, he and Grayson meet for three hours of online sessions a week. “Grayson’s really motivated,” Feuerstein said. He’ll give anyone a chance at mentorship, but can typically weed out whose parents are forcing them to do it and who’s committed. “Someone like Grayson, he’s going to do it whether his parents are forcing him or not. He would do those lessons very willingly,” Feuerstein said. “I’d say for how dedicated he is, he’s right around where people would be putting in that much time … but most people aren’t putting in as much time as he is.” Winning a national championship will now up the competition for Grayson. The nine and under division he competed in nationally is a sport division for newer, less experienced players with under two years of practice. Since he won the title, he’ll now go pro and compete against not only his mentor, Feuerstein, but also the 2025 World Yo-Yo Contest champion Mir Kim and competitors of all ages and backgrounds. Grayson is pumped. “My goal is to compete in as many competitions as possible,” he said. While the 2025 world tournament was held over four days in Prague, the upcoming event location is still unannounced. But Grayson hopes to be there, wherever it is. The tournaments have led to worldwide friendships, with comraderies spreading from New York to China. At home in Summerville, Grayson is hoping to start a yo-yo club for kids his own age in the Cane Bay community. He’s already paying his talent forward. Grayson and his family volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston, where they provide free yo-yos to children staying at the house and spend fun afternoons teaching tricks. Grayson also shares lessons on developing focus, perseverance and confidence through what many consider to be be nothing more than a fun toy. “I just want to get as many people interested as I can,” he said.