Fire Knife Dance Team 'Siva Ola' Members Jin LEON and Noah Yuta to Compete in World Fire Knife Dancing Championship
Spa Resort Hawaiians in Iwaki City, Fukushima, has announced the dispatch of Jin LEON and Noah Yuta from their professional team 'Siva Ola' to the 33rd World Fire Knife Dancing Championship in Hawaii, aiming for their first global victory.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 00:00
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- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 03:26 (3h 24m after Collected)
Spa Resort Hawaiians, operated by Joban Kosan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture), will dispatch two members of the fire knife dance team "Siva Ola," leader Jin LEON and Noah Yuta, to the 33rd Fire Knife Dance World Championship held at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu, Hawaii.
The championship will take place over three days from May 12th (Tuesday) to 14th (Thursday), Hawaii time. This marks the 15th time the facility has sent dancers since its first dispatch in 1999. Leader Jin LEON is making his 4th appearance, his first in 8 years since 2018, while Noah Yuta is competing for the first time.
### About Fire Knife Dance
Fire knife dancing is a traditional dance from the Pacific island nation of Samoa, known as one of the most intense yet beautiful dances requiring highly skilled techniques. Spa Resort Hawaiians introduced fire knife dancing into its Polynesian shows in July 1972, starting from scratch during an era without video materials. In April 2016, Japan's first fire knife dance team, "Siva Ola" (meaning "Strong Dance" in Samoan), was formed. Currently, eight members perform daily in Polynesian shows and dedicated Siva Ola performances.
### About the World Fire Knife Dance Championship
Now in its 33rd year, this annual event is hosted by Hawaii's largest theme park, the Polynesian Cultural Center. It attracts 20 to 30 of the world's top dancers from Samoa, Hawaii, the US mainland, and Tahiti. The highest rank previously achieved by a Siva Ola member was 2nd place, accomplished by brothers Yuya Baru in 2018 and Fumiya Mua in 2024.
### Participant Profiles
- **Jin LEON**: From Iwaki City, Fukushima. Debuted in March 2009. Participated in World Championships in 2013, 2017, and 2018. Comment: "I'll enjoy the atmosphere of the competition and grab the best possible result!"
- **Noah Yuta**: From Iwaki City, Fukushima. Debuted in March 2023. This is his first World Championship. Comment: "I will fight with everything I have as a representative of Siva Ola!"
The championship will take place over three days from May 12th (Tuesday) to 14th (Thursday), Hawaii time. This marks the 15th time the facility has sent dancers since its first dispatch in 1999. Leader Jin LEON is making his 4th appearance, his first in 8 years since 2018, while Noah Yuta is competing for the first time.
### About Fire Knife Dance
Fire knife dancing is a traditional dance from the Pacific island nation of Samoa, known as one of the most intense yet beautiful dances requiring highly skilled techniques. Spa Resort Hawaiians introduced fire knife dancing into its Polynesian shows in July 1972, starting from scratch during an era without video materials. In April 2016, Japan's first fire knife dance team, "Siva Ola" (meaning "Strong Dance" in Samoan), was formed. Currently, eight members perform daily in Polynesian shows and dedicated Siva Ola performances.
### About the World Fire Knife Dance Championship
Now in its 33rd year, this annual event is hosted by Hawaii's largest theme park, the Polynesian Cultural Center. It attracts 20 to 30 of the world's top dancers from Samoa, Hawaii, the US mainland, and Tahiti. The highest rank previously achieved by a Siva Ola member was 2nd place, accomplished by brothers Yuya Baru in 2018 and Fumiya Mua in 2024.
### Participant Profiles
- **Jin LEON**: From Iwaki City, Fukushima. Debuted in March 2009. Participated in World Championships in 2013, 2017, and 2018. Comment: "I'll enjoy the atmosphere of the competition and grab the best possible result!"
- **Noah Yuta**: From Iwaki City, Fukushima. Debuted in March 2023. This is his first World Championship. Comment: "I will fight with everything I have as a representative of Siva Ola!"