The World Freestyle Football Association (WFFA) hosted “Super Ball 2026,” the world’s largest open-format international tournament, from August 17 to 22 in Amersfoort, Netherlands. The event brought together 166 top athletes from 44 countries, competing across seven disciplines for the world’s highest honors.

The main event, “Freestyle 1×1 Battles,” drew particular attention. After intense competition, Abel de Jager from the Netherlands claimed the men’s world title, while Lucie Quinton from France won the women’s division.

This annual tournament serves as a global gathering for athletes. Over the course of approximately one week, competitors acted as both rivals and friends, celebrating diverse styles and values while pushing the boundaries of freestyle football expression.

What is Freestyle Football?

An urban sport that elevates soccer juggling and skill techniques into dynamic performances. Emerging as a competitive sport in the late 1990s, it has grown into a global phenomenon with tournaments held worldwide.

Driven by short-form videos on social media, its popularity has surged among Gen Z and Generation Alpha, boasting an estimated viewing audience of around 200 million. Under the motto “All you need is a ball,” it is accessible to anyone while offering profound depth for those seeking technical mastery and self-expression. Beyond self-expression, it fosters connections that transcend generations and borders.

Performance of Japanese Athletes

Japan has hosted numerous domestic tournaments and produced many world-class athletes. Known for their technical precision and ability to perform seamlessly to music, Japanese competitors are widely recognized as a dominant force on the global stage.

At “Super Ball 2026,” Team Japan delivered results that exceeded expectations. Japanese athletes swept the podium in the “Kill the Beat” category and secured a historic first-ever runner-up finish for an Asian athlete in “Sick Three.” With a total of 5 medals—second only to France—Japan once again proved its status as one of the leading powerhouses in the freestyle football world.

Japanese Athletes’ Results

Kill the Beat

1st Place: Yu-ri

2nd Place: KURO

3rd Place: UZURA

Sick Three

2nd Place: Yu-to

Routines

3rd Place: UZURA

1×1 Male Battles

TOP 32: Yu-ri, UZURA

Athlete Profiles

Yu-ri (Kill the Beat Champion)

Born in Tokushima Prefecture in 1998. Discovered freestyle football in his second year of junior high school and dedicated himself to the sport in high school. Armed with original tricks and exceptional expressive ability, he has competed actively both domestically and internationally, holding high-difficulty tricks credited as firsts for a Japanese athlete. He is also an official Red Bull Athlete.

Past Achievements:

・Asia Pacific Champion
・Australia World Open Champion
・Fukuoka Freestyle Open Champion
Champion of 10 other domestic tournaments

Comment:

“I am truly proud to represent Japan—a country deeply rooted in freestyle football culture and home to many incredible creators—and take 1st place in the ‘Kill the Beat’ division. With my style focused on high-difficulty tricks, controlling my movements to match the rhythm is extremely difficult. However, I feel that my daily practice prioritizing rhythm paid off. Moving forward, my goal is to become world champion in the ‘Freestyle 1×1 Battles’ division, and I will keep challenging myself to reach greater heights.”

KURO (Kill the Beat Runner-Up)

Born in Hokkaido in 1992, based in Sapporo. Introduced to the sport in his third year of junior high school, he fully immersed himself in freestyle football during university. Alongside competing, he runs a freestyle football school, works as an instructor, and contributes to selecting national team representatives as a member of the Japan Freestyle Football Association.

Past Achievements:

・Super Ball 2025 “Kill the Beat” Runner-Up, “Routine” 3rd Place
Numerous championships in domestic tournaments

Comment:

“I am very happy to take 2nd place in ‘Kill the Beat’ this year. Moving forward, my goal is to achieve a double victory in both ‘Kill the Beat’ and ‘Routine,’ so I will keep giving it my all.”

UZURA (Kill the Beat 3rd Place / Routine 3rd Place)

Born in Yamanashi Prefecture in 1999. Graduated from Seiwa Gakuen High School (Miyagi Prefecture), a renowned soccer powerhouse. Currently active as a freestyler known for unique ball control and high entertainment value, he also teaches children skills through soccer schools and private lessons.

Comment:

“Since this was my first time competing at Super Ball, I wasn’t sure how international athletes and spectators would perceive me, but I felt my performance was recognized far beyond what I expected. Going forward, I want to preserve my originality while adding more depth to my tricks to reach an even higher level. I definitely want to compete in Super Ball again next year!”

Yu-to (Sick Three Runner-Up)

Born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 2000. Member of Air Technician and F.B.D. In 2021, he became the first in the industry to land a back-to-back 3-revolution trick combo in competition. At “Super Ball 2026,” he became the first Asian athlete to achieve runner-up in “Sick Three.”

Past Achievements:

・High School No.1 2018, 2019 Champion (2 consecutive titles)
・Super Ball 2024 “Challenge” Top 4
・Super Ball 2025 “Challenge” 3rd Place
・Super Ball 2026 “Sick Three” Runner-Up

Comment:

“I’ve been taking on the LOWER discipline at Super Ball since 2024, and I’m thrilled to be the first Asian athlete to finish as runner-up. My goal for next year’s Super Ball is to win, and I want to do my part to hype up the Japanese LOWER scene. Thanks to my family, my peers in Japan, and friends who shouted positive encouragement during the event, I was able to perform beyond my practice limits. Thank you so much for all your support!”

Super Ball 2026 Event Disciplines (Excerpt)

Freestyle 1×1 Battles
The main event of the tournament. Athletes take turns executing tricks head-to-head in a battle format.

Kill the Beat
A competition where athletes improvise and execute their repertoire rhythmically to music selected by a DJ.

Sick Three
Determines the top athlete in “Lower” (Air) tricks—the flagship category where difficulty increases with the number of leg wraps. Athletes compete using a combo of their three hardest consecutive tricks.

Routine
A showcase discipline where athletes perform choreographed routines set to pre-selected music.

Super Ball 2026 “Freestyle 1×1 Battles” Champions

Men’s Division Winner: Abel de Jager

19 years old from North Amsterdam, Netherlands. Started freestyle football at age 12 (2019) and won the Dutch National Youth Championship in 2020. After reaching the Top 16 at “Super Ball 2025,” he steadily built his track record.

Claiming his first Super Ball title this year, Abel won an intense all-Dutch final against defending champion Jesse.

Comment:

“Every battle at Super Ball this year was so close that I still can’t believe I won. Winning this tournament has been a dream of mine for years, so I’m truly happy.”

Women’s Division Winner: Lucie Quinton

From Normandy, France. Transitioned from soccer to freestyle football in 2016. A two-time French champion, she has grown into a top athlete ranked in the world’s top 8.

Comment:

“I’m so happy, but I still can’t believe I won. The scores were so close that it hasn’t fully sunk in yet. Still, I feel immensely relieved and full of happiness right now.”

Judge’s Comment

Simon Atli Larsen

“I was deeply impressed by how narrow the skill gap between top athletes has become this year, resulting in an exceptionally high-level competition. Winning major titles amidst such fierce battles truly highlights the outstanding skills of Lucie from France and Abel from the Netherlands.

Lucie displays great versatility across various elements, but her lower-body trick difficulty is especially remarkable. Meanwhile, Abel has built a distinct style backed by extraordinary control, making the ball look as if it’s glued to his body.

I also feel great potential in the rapid growth of younger athletes, particularly in the under-16 ‘NextGen’ division. I look forward to seeing them compete in the main categories in the future.”

Organizer’s Comment

Gabriel Massif (WFFA Head of Events & Innovation)

“Super Ball is more than just a tournament; it’s like a ‘second home’ where freestylers from around the world gather to inspire one another. Seeing athletes and spectators connecting throughout the event was wonderful.

We had another set of incredible battles this year and crowned new champions. I want to sincerely commend Lucie, Abel, and all participating athletes for their effort and performance. I hope this community continues to expand worldwide, keeping Super Ball a place where anyone can shine as themselves.”

About Super Ball / WFFA

About Super Ball
“Super Ball World Open” is the world’s largest open freestyle football tournament. Officially sanctioned by the WFFA, it features seven competitive disciplines for both men and women, along with workshops and community events.

About the WFFA (World Freestyle Football Association)
Established in 2017 and headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, the WFFA is the world governing body for freestyle football. It oversees the growth and promotion of the sport and culture, organizing and supporting tournaments in over 100 countries and territories.