Rodney Ansell - Pro
Alias Roddama
Living Since 1987
Playing since 2009
Instagram @Roddama
Into yoga, meditation, skateboarding, wood turning, slappin da bass
Titles
JKA Certified 4th Dan
2017 Kendama World Cup Finalist
2014, 2015, 2016 Catch & Flow Finalist
2015, 2016 Grip Kendama Online Contest Runner up
2013, 2014 Grip Kendama Online Contest Winner
2012, 2013 KROMstack Contest Champion
School of Thought
Kendama is a great means of meeting people, regardless of what language you speak. It has brought me to as many places as I have brought it: from Egypt, to India, Europe to Japan, Vietnam to Korea, I've been able to make friends with anyone willing to take the time to understand the simple movements and enjoy it.
Dama Story
I started playing kendama at the same time that I was living with Eric Martin in Calgary, Alberta. Living together, we constantly pushed each other daily to learn new tricks along with the KE homies. Somehow we traveled to Japan in 2012 and happened to be there for the JKA’s World Kendama Festa in Osaka where I met new pro players for the first time, who are now long term friends! It's crazy to look at how kendama has influenced my life. I now am a kendama maker for a living, a professional player, and teacher. I have and do teach most of my passions: kendama, yoga, bass guitar. I feel really lucky to have had these opportunities and meet all the beautiful people around the world that enjoy the same toy as me!