Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
(26 Aug 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong - 9 August 2026
1. Tilt up of players battling in Beyblade arena ++PARTIALLY SPLITSCREEN WITH SHOT 2++
2. Close of Beyblades spinning inside an arena, one stopping spinning and losing the round ++PARTIALLY SPLITSCREEN WITH SHOT 1++
3. SOUNDBITE (Cantonese) Kyle Ho, Beyblade enthusiast: ++STARTS ON SHOT 1 ANDPARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOT 4++
“This game is extremely exciting, especially with the latest version of Beyblade X being released, it provides a new experience which is even faster and can accelerate so well that the feeling of knocking out an opponent gives me a massive thrill.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong - 16 August 2026
4. Various of players gearing up, launching their Beyblades into arena
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong - 9 August 2026
5. Wide of screen live broadcasting Beyblade battles on stage
6. Pan of crowd watching matches
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong - 16 August 2026
7. SOUNDBITE (Cantonese) Kelvin Lam, Beyblade community games organizer: ++STARTS ON SHOT5 AND PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOT 8++
“This activity or I could say sport has different categories and match systems, for example individual competitions or team competitions. Therefore, I believe it’s like any other sport and I hope everybody can keep enjoying it.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong - 9 August 2026
8. Various of players battling
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong - 16 August 2026
9. Various of Beyblade enthusiast Ceci Yu taking part in a match
10. SOUNDBITE (Cantonese) Ceci Yu, Beyblade enthusiast: ++STARTS ON SHOT 9 AND PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOT 11++
“Some women might think this game requires physical strength to win, and so they’ll think it’s easy to be left behind by the guys. By knowing the different possible combinations of Beyblade gear they can utilize, you will find that physical strength itself isn’t the main strategy to winning. The game is also very suitable for women, it is not always the case of losing to male opponents.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong - 9 August 2026
11. Various of players showcasing their collections of Beyblades and accesories in suitcases
STORYLINE:
Two opponents bend low over a small plastic arena.
They pull a chord and their Beyblades shoot into the ring.
The orange spinning top stays in the center, whilst the yellow pirouettes around the edge of the arena.
Whichever spins the longest or manages to knock its opponent out of the ring, wins.
This simple, offline game has become an unexpected craze in Hong Kong.
Japanese toy maker Takara first launched these customizable spinning tops in 1999, inspired by traditional Japanese beigoma toys.
Now the game is once again gaining popularity in Hong Kong and east Asia.
Enthusiasts collect different series and generations of the spinning tops and accessories, coming up with unique combinations and bringing whole suitcases of parts to competitions
Hundreds of people crowd round mini arenas set up in a shopping center.
Above them a big screen is showing the main stage's matches.
Across the room opponents are battling it out.
They follow a courtesy ritual - presenting their pick of the customized spinning top above the mini-stadium, then fixing the toy on the launchers.
“Three, two, one, go, shoot!”
They launch their tops into the arena.
Contestant Kyle Ho, 18, has been a fan of the game for ten years after watching a Beyblade-themed anime on TV as a child.
The game is so popular now that there are even Beyblade social media stars.
AP video shot by: Alice Fung
Find out more about AP Archive: aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: instagram.com/APNews
You can license this story through AP Archive: aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/3c4660577cea44098d6298de371d89b7
(26 Aug 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong - 9 August 2026
1. Tilt up of players battling in Beyblade arena ++PARTIALLY SPLITSCREEN WITH SHOT 2++
2. Close of Beyblades spinning inside an arena, one stopping spinning and losing the round ++PARTIALLY SPLITSCREEN WITH SHOT 1++
3. SOUNDBITE (Cantonese) Kyle Ho, Beyblade enthusiast: ++STARTS ON SHOT 1 ANDPARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOT 4++
“This game is extremely exciting, especially with the latest version of Beyblade X being released, it provides a new experience which is even faster and can accelerate so well that the feeling of knocking out an opponent gives me a massive thrill.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong - 16 August 2026
4. Various of players gearing up, launching their Beyblades into arena
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong - 9 August 2026
5. Wide of screen live broadcasting Beyblade battles on stage
6. Pan of crowd watching matches
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong - 16 August 2026
7. SOUNDBITE (Cantonese) Kelvin Lam, Beyblade community games organizer: ++STARTS ON SHOT5 AND PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOT 8++
“This activity or I could say sport has different categories and match systems, for example individual competitions or team competitions. Therefore, I believe it’s like any other sport and I hope everybody can keep enjoying it.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong - 9 August 2026
8. Various of players battling
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong - 16 August 2026
9. Various of Beyblade enthusiast Ceci Yu taking part in a match
10. SOUNDBITE (Cantonese) Ceci Yu, Beyblade enthusiast: ++STARTS ON SHOT 9 AND PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOT 11++
“Some women might think this game requires physical strength to win, and so they’ll think it’s easy to be left behind by the guys. By knowing the different possible combinations of Beyblade gear they can utilize, you will find that physical strength itself isn’t the main strategy to winning. The game is also very suitable for women, it is not always the case of losing to male opponents.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong - 9 August 2026
11. Various of players showcasing their collections of Beyblades and accesories in suitcases
STORYLINE:
Two opponents bend low over a small plastic arena.
They pull a chord and their Beyblades shoot into the ring.
The orange spinning top stays in the center, whilst the yellow pirouettes around the edge of the arena.
Whichever spins the longest or manages to knock its opponent out of the ring, wins.
This simple, offline game has become an unexpected craze in Hong Kong.
Japanese toy maker Takara first launched these customizable spinning tops in 1999, inspired by traditional Japanese beigoma toys.
Now the game is once again gaining popularity in Hong Kong and east Asia.
Enthusiasts collect different series and generations of the spinning tops and accessories, coming up with unique combinations and bringing whole suitcases of parts to competitions
Hundreds of people crowd round mini arenas set up in a shopping center.
Above them a big screen is showing the main stage's matches.
Across the room opponents are battling it out.
They follow a courtesy ritual - presenting their pick of the customized spinning top above the mini-stadium, then fixing the toy on the launchers.
“Three, two, one, go, shoot!”
They launch their tops into the arena.
Contestant Kyle Ho, 18, has been a fan of the game for ten years after watching a Beyblade-themed anime on TV as a child.
The game is so popular now that there are even Beyblade social media stars.
AP video shot by: Alice Fung
Find out more about AP Archive: aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: instagram.com/APNews
You can license this story through AP Archive: aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/3c4660577cea44098d6298de371d89b7
