NAKO 2024 IMPORTANT INFO!

NAKO IS DAYS AWAY.

We are officially LESS THAN ONE MONTH from one of the largest kendama events in the world! The North American Kendama Open is November 15, 16, & 17 in Minneapolis, MN.

If you have no idea what NAKO is or if you still need a few more details to snag your tickets, this email is for you!

We are expecting up to 500 players from around the world to join us in November, and we hope that you are one of them!!

3 DAYS OF KENDAMA COMPETITION & CONVENTION
November 15, 16, & 17, 2024

Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West,
3131 Campus Dr, Plymouth, MN 55441

ALL THE LINKS:

INFORMATION HUB: NAKO.WORLD

REGISTRATION: Challonge.com/events/NAKO2024#/

Hotel: CrownePlaza.com

Instagram: instagram.com/NAKendamaOpen

Discord: discord.gg/REkvpTmYHk

Volunteer Form: forms.gle/2jVDNB8whb7qGArUA

Workshop Submission: forms.gle/M46QKKZ4r8zKM2gX8

Facebook Event: facebook.com/share/WW8z6SRrVHNC64Eo/

Trick Video Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4LQTX97wWcTfiDhfl3Y905-38gmTmtbJ&si=4buvTLdFTYpzG37S

SO WHAT IS NAKO?

The North American Kendama Open is a mix of a kendama competition and convention.

We have an Open Format competition for players of all skill levels, from Beginners to seasoned Pros. We are one of a handful of global kendama competitions with cash and epic prizes on the line. We also pride ourselves on being a true convention with activities to do all day every day. Here are some examples of what you can expect:

Vendors dropping some of the freshest kendamas you've ever seen each day
Workshops and meetups to learn new skills or connect with other players
Side Comps for a chance to win prizes beyond the main competition
Video Premiers from your favorite brands
THE BIRLIES - a community driven award show
GT Radio providing live DJs all 3 days
A chance to meet your favorite Pros
Get your photo in the Kendama Yearbook
Video & Photo contests
And MORE!

GET SIGNED UP

Player Registration:
- $80 for any level
- +̶ $̶2̶5̶ f̶o̶r̶ F̶r̶e̶e̶s̶t̶y̶l̶e̶ FREESTYLE IS FULL

Spectator Pass:
- $25 per day
- $60 3-day pass
- Available Online and at the door

REGISTRATION CLOSES NOV 1ST

TICKET COST GOES UP TO $90
ON OCT 21ST

challonge.com/events/NAKO2024

PLAYER REG & SPECTATOR PASSES ON CHALLONGE

THE BAG

All Player registration includes access to their level of competition, all workshops, side comps, video premiers, and:

THE 2024 NAKO SWAG BAG

We're releasing full details soon, so make sure you keep an eye on Instagram if you want to know what's coming in the bag!

We tried to do something unique this year with some items that we've never made before and a bag that is just EPIC.

STAY IN THE ACTION

One of the things that makes NAKO so unique is that you are staying and competing in the same place. This is one of the only events where you can walk out your door and be greeted by tons of kendama players. Because everything takes place in one location, once you get here you won't have to worry about traveling again until it's time to go home.

Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West
3131 Campus Drive, Plymouth, Minnesota 55441

1 king bed or 2 Queen Beds
$139/night

Book online at https://www.crowneplaza.com or call call 763-559-6600 and request the Sweets Kendamas Convention 2024 room block to receive the discounted group rate.

HOTEL ROOMS ARE FILLING UP! ONLY KING ROOMS STILL AVAILABLE

BOOKING CUTOFF IS THURSDAY OCT 24

WHEN IS EVERYTHING HAPPENING?

We know that a schedule is a VERY important detail to get ready for the weekend. Unfortunately we cannot release a full schedule until after registration closes. The number of players in each division has a big impact on how long each competition will take to complete and we won't know that until November.

Vending is each day from 10am - 5pm with different vendors each day.
Concession lunch will be available for purchase each day around noon.
A workshop & side comp schedule will also release in early November.

In the meantime we do have a rough schedule breaking down what will be going down each day at NAKO. *ALL DETAILS/DAYS/TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

NAKO IS BETTER WITH YOUR HELP!

Most kendama competitions cannot happen without a team of awesome volunteers and judges. NAKO is no different!

If you are down to volunteer some of your time we would greatly appreciate your help.

Get registered and then fill out this Google Form and we will be in contact early November to talk more!

https://forms.gle/2jVDNB8whb7qGArUA

HOW DO I COMPETE?

Every level of competition at NAKO is Open Format, which means you'll be going head-to-head against someone of your same skill level. The first player to earn 3 points wins and moves forward in the bracket!

We want players of all skill levels to compete on stage at NAKO. The video and blog below are great resources to learning more about Open format and what it takes to compete. Both are worth checking out no matter your level if this is your first NAKO!

WHAT LEVEL?

One of the biggest questions we get is "WHAT LEVEL SHOULD I BE IN?"

Being true to your kendama skills is the most important factor in picking your level.

If you are able first try all of level (A), do 75% of the tricks in level (B), and almost none in the next level up (C), then (B) is the right level for you!
Use the few weeks we have left before NAKO to practice those tricks and get yourself locked in and ready to compete.

Age and number of events you have attended don't matter in determining your level as much as how your skill matches up with the trick lists.

At any event KENtegrity is key and playing at the level that is appropriate for your skill is always important. Playing UP is always more fun than playing DOWN, and having fun is the goal!

THE TRICKS

You still have almost a month to practice your skills and get honed on your trick list!

You can find all the Written Trick Lists here: https://challonge.com/events/NAKO2024/rules

and the Trick Videos here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4LQTX97wWcTfiDhfl3Y905-38gmTmtbJ&si=4buvTLdFTYpzG37S

WHO'S GOING?

With over 60 sponsoring brands and a TON of confirmed players from each team; it's safe to say A LOT of people are coming out to Minnesota!

If you're looking for more specifics make sure you check the sponsors social media channels to see who's going to be at NAKO this year!

Beyond just kendama pros, NAKO has something for everyone. If you are deep in the kendama grind or just getting started on your journey there is a level of competition for you. We will also have workshops, seminars, side competitions, and more to help you level up your skill and build a better connection with the rest of the kendama community.

WHAT ELSE?

Honestly... a lot still. But some of the highlights are:

THE BIRLIES - An award show highlighting members of our community. Nominations are open now so submit your favorite players & videos in a variety of categories
Lodging at Kendama World Cup - Gloken is providing housing and a seeded spot to the winner of Open at the 2025 KWC
NAKO Characters - We've been working with Gnarly Warehaus to make a series of kendama characters that will be popping up all over NAKO
A New Challenge - This year at NAKO we will be premiering a new game that will last ALL WEEKEND LONG. So even if you get out of the main competition, you still have a reason to keep your head in the game...
Big Prizes - Cash to Open & Freestyle with registration for Battle at the Border, European Kendama Championship & Malama Dama. Fair Games registration and housing to the winner of Girls Open. Tons of prizes to every level of competition.

AND SO MUCH MORE...

I STILL CAN'T MAKE IT...

We get it! Travel and tickets can be expensive. But don't worry, if you can't make it out to MN this year you will still be able to tune in to all the NAKO action.

WE WILL BE LIVE ON TWITCH EACH DAY!

Tune in at twitch.tv/sweetskendamas to watch all levels of competition go down!

Make sure you say "Hey!" in chat so we know you're there!!