Polynesian Cultural Center

If you find yourselves mezmerized by the spinning Samoan Fireknives during the World Fireknife Championships at the Polynesian Cultural Center – you may wonder how the judges choose the winners. There are a set of criteria that they look for in the “World’s Best.”

Here are some things to look out for it you’re trying to judge yourself:

1. Knives must be a certain length – Points will be lost if they do not meet regulation.
2. Speed – While this seems obvious, it’s also about having the right control over the spin of your fireknife. Many a fireknife dancer have started out too strongly and have lost control of their knife, resulting in lost points and knife drops.
3. Height of the throws – They don’t want just simple tosses, when a competitor throws the knife up into the air, it should be at least twice his height in order to score points
4. Degree of difficulty – While fireknife dancing is always flashy,
5. Presentation – Dancers are judged on their costume as well as their “warriorlike” demeanor.

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