Tahiti’s Joseph Cadousteau, the only finalist to use three fireknives in his routine, reclaimed the senior division crown late Saturday night in the 23rd annual World Fireknife Championships at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie.
The win marked the third world title for Cadousteau, who won the international competition in 2012 and 2013.
Mikaele Oloa of Waialua finished second while defending champion Via Tiumalu of Orlando, Fla., took third.
Cadousteau was nearly flawless with his performance, showing power, flexibility, artistry and a flair for drama as he used three fireknives in his routine, even juggling them at one point.
"This means so much to me, especially having my wife and daughter here to see this," Cadousteau said. "I’ve received so much support from the people in Tahiti. I feel very blessed to win this year’s championship."
Wearing a traditional lavalava and accompanied by the beat of 10 Polynesian drummers, the three finalists performed on a 100-by-70-foot stage of the PCC’s Pacific Theater — all while tossing, twirling and balancing the flaming fireknives at blinding speed and seemingly impossible angles.
The finals were held during intermission of the evening show, "Ha: Breath of Life," with the winner crowned after the performance.
"The caliber gets better every year, and to be this good is a lifelong pursuit for these athletes," PCC President and CEO Alfred Grace said. "The sacrifice and effort they make is comparable to any world-class athlete in any other sport."
Fireknife dancing was created in 1946 as a form of entertainment by Chief Olo Letuli of American Samoa, but its roots go back centuries to when Samoan warriors performed before battle with the "nifo oti," or "tooth of death."
Nineteen of the world’s top fireknife dancers, from Samoa, Tahiti, Florida, Pittsburgh, Hong Kong, Japan and Hawaii, began the three-day competition Thursday with seven advancing to Friday night’s semifinals. The top three moved on to Saturday’s finals.
Also on Friday, Hale Motuapuaka, 14, of Aiea won the 12- to 17-year-old junior division, which included 11 boys and three girls. Jeralee Galeai, 14, of Laie took second while Achilles Tafiti, 16, of Laie placed third.
And in the 6- to 11-year-old junior division, which also concluded Friday, Matagi Lilo, 9, of Kapolei finished first out of a field of 11 competitors. He was followed in second by Isaako Milford, 9, of Orlando, Fla., and in third by Mose Lilo, 7, of Ewa Beach.
