Anthony Gatto came to San Jose to win, and did so big time. After finishing second and third in previous years, he scored the highest point total of any U.S. Nationals winner and did some of the most difficult tricks seen in that event.

 

The 13-year-old Las Vegas resident and professional juggler opened with balls, doing five with back crosses and overhead throws. He did a seven ball cascade with perfect sequential toss back into a net held by his father, Nick. Working with rings, Anthony did a pirouette and more than a dozen pancake throws with five. With a coyote prop balanced on his head, he juggled eight rings and flipped them up to be caught on the coyote's nose and hand.

 

He cascaded seven rings, pulled down four and then worked them back into the pattern, all without interruption. He finished with clubs, doing five with one balanced on his head. He tipped the balanced club over into a six club juggle.

 

From his opening trick there was no doubt in the audience of Gatto's superior juggling ability. His appearance in handsome long pants and long-sleeved shirt instead of the shorts and sport shirt he used to wear conveyed a message of professionalism.

 

With Gatto's act stronger than ever, people were left wondering what his eventual accomplishments will be.

 

Fans flabbergasted by his juggling were humored by Gatto as well when he was asked by championships director Hony Greeley to say a few words to the audience after the competition ended. Anthony approached the microphone and in a perfect

Donald Duck squeak said four words, "Thank you very much!" He was awarded $1,000 and a trophy at the Awards Banquet for his victory. He was also featured in an Aug. 18 Sports Illustrated article.

 

Scott Burton finished behind Gatto in second place, "punching in" for seven minutes of hard juggling. Burton lay on the floor and juggled three bans an around his legs and body, and did five while lying on his back. He also did boxes and up to five clubs.

 

Benji Hill, a winner in last year's Team Championship, appeared solo in San Jose and finished third. He performed his trademark four ball solid shoulder throws flawlessly, as well as five rings with color changes and a pirouette. He flashed and pulled down seven rings, then finished strong with three, four and five club work.

 

Other competitors and highlights were:

  · Dan Bennett - Extremely fast work with up to five bans, six ball shower, low cascade with seven, eight bans for 12 tosses.

· Jerome Ellis - Four tennis rackets, five bans caught in billiard pockets, eight ring flash with a pulldown.

· John Gilkey - Gentleman juggler style manipulations with hat, umbrella and ban. Tearaway costume change to upbeat work with up to five clubs.

· Dan Menendez - Comic ball spinning to the "2001" theme. Three bans while balancing one on the side of his head. Black light bounce of five bans.

· Larry Merlo - Unique ring manipulations and acrobatics. Comic, magical cigar box intro that eventually revealed a hidden box.

· Bob Nickerson - Balancing three pool cues and juggling them. Five bans and back crosses with hatchets.