FREESTYLE
2026.06.04

First-Ever at YUSF! “DRIVE OUT” — Japan’s Ultimate Freestyle Duo Championship

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On November 15, 2025DRIVE OUT, a brand-new 2-on-2 competition combining freestyle football and freestyle basketball, was held as part of YUSF ’25.

As the inaugural edition of the event, DRIVE OUT brought together athletes from two freestyle disciplines in a unique team format, creating an exciting new stage for competition. Teams battled for the honor of being crowned Japan’s top freestyle duo, delivering high-level performances and thrilling matchups throughout the tournament.

© Ryo Nagatomo /YUSF 

Qualifiers

The qualifying round was conducted in an audition-style format, with each duo given 90 seconds to perform.

A panel of four judges scored each performance out of 10 points, and the top seven teams advanced to the main tournament bracket.

What made DRIVE OUT different from a traditional freestyle battle was the presence of a partner.

While there were no restrictions on solo performances or prepared routines, simply showcasing strong individual moves was not enough. The key to advancing was demonstrating chemistry as a duo—utilizing teamwork, interaction, and synchronized creativity to create performances that could only be achieved by two athletes working together.

Despite the short 90-second performance window, one duo that made a particularly strong impression was 2One (Yo & Shion).

Both freestyle footballers, the pair regularly train and create content together, resulting in a natural chemistry that was evident throughout their performance. Combining a highly polished routine with their distinctive personalities, 2One delivered a performance that stood out from the competition and earned them one of the highest scores in the qualifying round.

Another highly anticipated team was the freestyle basketball duo RIKU & NESS.

The pair are also members of F.B.D., an emerging collective known for blending multiple forms of street culture into its performances.

Having performed numerous routines together through their team showcases, the 2-on-2 format played directly to their strengths. Drawing on the experience and chemistry they had developed as teammates, RIKU & NESS delivered a polished performance and secured their place in the tournament with one of the highest qualifying scores.

Interactive Workshops for Visitors

During the break before the main tournament, interactive workshops for both freestyle football and freestyle basketballwere held.

Many children had the opportunity to pick up a ball, learn basic skills, and experience the excitement of the sports firsthand. The activity area was filled with smiles and enthusiasm as participants challenged themselves, discovered new movements, and enjoyed the unique appeal of freestyle culture.

Main Tournament

With the qualifying round complete, the seven advancing teams were officially decided.

For the main tournament, one additional guest battler team was invited, creating an eight-team bracket to compete for the title of Japan’s No.1 Freestyle Duo.

The guest team featured the dream pairing of Yu-ri & YOH.

Yu-ri continues to perform at the forefront of the freestyle football scene, while YOH has built a reputation for delivering standout performances across not only freestyle basketball but a wide variety of events and stages.

The announcement of this exclusive partnership—one that could only be seen at DRIVE OUT—immediately elevated the atmosphere inside the venue, generating even greater excitement as the tournament got underway.

Tournament Battles

From the tournament stage onward, each team performed two rounds of up to one minute each, with the winner determined by a panel of five judges.

The face-to-face battle format created a completely different atmosphere from traditional solo competitions. In particular, the fusion of freestyle football and freestyle basketball offered a glimpse into the potential of an entirely new style of battle culture, where athletes from different disciplines could interact, challenge one another, and create unique performances together.

As the level of competition intensified, four teams emerged and secured their places in the semifinals:

  • Yu-ri & YOH
  • RIKU & NESS
  • Uzura & Toshiki
  • 2One (Yo & Shion)

The first semifinal featured Yu-ri & YOH against RIKU & NESS.

The matchup carried extra significance, as Yu-ri, RIKU, and NESS are all members of F.B.D.. Yu-ri and RIKU, in particular, have shared a long history together, having performed and grown within the scene since their university years.

With friendship, pride, and their respective cultures on the line, the battle became much more than a semifinal—it was a clash between athletes determined to represent their communities at the highest level.

Yu-ri & YOH

Yu-ri & YOH are both known for their original styles and high-difficulty signature moves.

What made them particularly impressive at DRIVE OUT, however, was their ability to seamlessly blend their individual strengths and truly embody the concept of “Football × Basketball.”

Rather than simply performing side by side, the duo integrated their skills into cohesive routines that felt specifically designed for this format. They showcased never-before-seen combinations while also reinterpreting familiar movements through the lens of their respective disciplines.

The result was a performance that felt fresh, innovative, and uniquely their own—creating a distinctive identity as a duo and demonstrating the creative potential of cross-disciplinary freestyle collaboration.

RIKU & NESS

On the other side, RIKU & NESS delivered routines filled with partner combinations that only the two of them could execute, while fully embracing the unique characteristics of freestyle basketball.

Drawing on the experience they had accumulated through countless showcase performances, their ability to engage and energize the crowd was especially evident throughout the battle.

What set them apart was their commitment not only to competing, but also to entertaining. Constantly interacting with their opponents and performing with an awareness of the audience, they demonstrated a level of showmanship that stood out among all participants in the tournament.

The battle ultimately came down to the finest of margins. After an intensely close contest, Yu-ri & YOH edged ahead and secured the first spot in the final.

Uzura & Toshiki

Uzura & Toshiki vs 2One (Yo & Shion)

The other semifinal featured a clash between two freestyle football duos: Uzura & Toshiki and 2One (Yo & Shion).

Uzura & Toshiki entered the battle as one of the hottest teams in the scene, having recently won another 2-on-2 freestyle competition. Their greatest strength lay in the way they combined traditional football elements with freestyle techniques, creating dynamic partner-based movements that had already earned them high scores during the qualifying round.

On the other side, 2One raised their level even further from their impressive qualifying performance.

Drawing on their backgrounds and strengths in breaking-inspired movement, they delivered a series of acrobatic and explosive combinations that immediately captivated the crowd. Their performance brought a completely different flavor to the battle, emphasizing creativity, flow, and visual impact.

The matchup became a fascinating contrast of styles—Uzura & Toshiki showcasing football-driven synergy, while 2One leaned into athleticism and dynamic movement.

In the end, it was 2One, who found another gear when it mattered most, that secured the victory and advanced to the final.

2One © Hama Show/YUSF
2One © Hama Show/YUSF

Grand Final

The championship match featured Yu-ri & YOH against 2One (Yo & Shion)—a matchup worthy of a battle between some of the very best ballers in the country.

The first round belonged to 2One.

Yo opened with a flawlessly executed high-difficulty air move, immediately setting the tone for the battle. From there, Shion showcased his exceptional ground moves before the duo transitioned into a powerful combination sequence that brought the crowd to its feet.

Their round was built around highlighting each athlete’s strongest attributes while maintaining a clear sense of teamwork throughout. By consistently landing difficult techniques and connecting them through a well-structured routine, 2One demonstrated an outstanding level of chemistry and polish.

It was a performance that showcased not only individual skill, but also the completeness of their partnership as a competitive duo.

Yu-ri & YOH © Hama Show/YUSF
Yu-ri & YOH © Hama Show/YUSF

Yu-ri & YOH answered with a brand-new routine of their own.

Saving some of their strongest material for the final, Yu-ri unveiled his signature moves that had been kept in reserve throughout the tournament, while YOH brought explosive energy and sharp, rhythm-driven flow to the stage. Together, they delivered maximum-impact performances both as individuals and as a team, showcasing the full extent of their abilities when it mattered most.

The final became the most electrifying battle of the day, drawing huge reactions from the crowd. After a lengthy deliberation, the judges ultimately awarded the victory to Yu-ri & YOH, crowning them the champions of the inaugural DRIVE OUT.

By bringing together the worlds of freestyle football and freestyle basketball, DRIVE OUT created a unique competitive environment where athletes could showcase the strengths of their respective disciplines while interacting through a shared language—the ball.

The tournament’s greatest appeal lay in the atmosphere created by two closely connected cultures coming together. From innovative routines to spontaneous exchanges between competitors, the event highlighted possibilities rarely seen in traditional competitions.

It was a celebration not only of skill, but of creativity, community, and crossover culture. To truly appreciate the energy and excitement of DRIVE OUT, it is an experience best witnessed in person.

BIG TRICK Competition

Following the tournament, a BIG TRICK Competition was held, giving everyone at the venue the opportunity to participate.

With prizes on the line, participants stepped forward one after another to attempt their most ambitious and high-risk tricks. The format encouraged creativity and boldness, creating an atmosphere where athletes could push their limits and showcase skills that may not have fit within the structure of the main competition.

Whenever a difficult trick was successfully landed, the entire venue erupted with excitement. Competitors, spectators, and fellow players celebrated together, making the session one of the most energetic and memorable moments of the day.

The BIG TRICK Competition perfectly captured the spirit of freestyle culture—challenging boundaries, supporting one another, and sharing the joy of landing something extraordinary.

Event Information

Event Name: DRIVE OUT powered by WUU!
Date: November 15, 2025 (Sat.) | 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Venue: Event Plaza, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (within the venue of YOKOHAMA URBAN SPORTS FESTIVAL 2025)
Admission: Free

Results

Champion: Yu-ri & YOH
Runner-up: 2One (Yo & Shion)
3rd Place: RIKU & NESS from F.B.D.

MC

  • Fuh Sakimi

DJ

  • Gori

Guest Battlers

  • Yu-ri & YOH

Judges

  • Ko-suke
  • ZiNEZa.k.a KAMIKAZE
  • BBOY Y-HI
  • Yosuke Yokota (Leon)
  • KAZ

Sponsors

  • WUU!
  • AddElm
  • RYZ
  • Red Bull

Support

  • FINEPLAY
  • BALLMAN UNION
  • JF3
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