WJF

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http://www.thewjf.com/


The WJF is an American organisation promoting technical juggling skills.

Here is an abridged version of the WJF description of themselves from the WJF website:


"The World Juggling Federation was founded in 2000 out of a desire to expand public awareness of juggling as a sport. The goal was to produce juggling competition programming to air on a sports network. In 2004, the WJF secured their first five TV deals with ESPN and the shows aired in January of 2005. To produce these shows, WJF President and founder Jason Garfield began a global search for the world's best jugglers and invited them all to compete. Jason Garfield had gained popularity in juggling since he entered the industry in 1986 at just 11 years old. Having accomplished the juggling of 10 balls, 10 rings and 7 clubs, Jason was well familiar with the highest level of juggling skill and wanted to raise the bar even further through competitions specifically designed for that purpose. In 2000, dissatisfied with the reputation that preceded juggling wherever he went, Jason created plans for an event that gave juggling the reputation he wanted it to be known for. Looking to the competition structure of gymnastics and consulting with an Olympic gymnast, Jason formed the first set of WJF competition rules. Having absolutely zero experience in event planning and TV production, Jason took it upon himself to produce the first WJF convention and series of competition programs and has continued to produce ten WJF events (one in the U.K.) since 2004.

Soon after its inception, the term "technical juggling" was replaced with "WJF style juggling" as jugglers identified anything technically challenging in juggling with the WJF. The WJF also started a new generation of jugglers who spend a great deal of time connecting moves together where previously most jugglers only did one move at a time. And now, the junior level competitors of 2010 exceed the skill level of the advanced competitors of 2004. The plan is working. The WJF also advocates proper training. Since the competition scoring is based heavily on perfect form, Jason Garfield teaches beginning through advanced workshops at all WJF events to give everyone the opportunity to learn correctly and avoid embedding bad habits into their juggling skill. Additionally, the WJF has produced the world's best instructional materials for juggling"