Ken Shults
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
Nickname | The Enforcer |
| Nationality | American |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Footbag |
Event(s) | Freestyle, Net, Consecutive |
| Club | Sole Purpose Footbag Group |
Kenny Shults is an American footbag (hacky sack) player and multiple-time world champion. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential athletes in the history of the sport, known for his competitive dominance, technical innovation, and contributions to footbag's judging and instructional systems.
Early life
[edit]Shults began playing footbag in 1977 in Oregon, where the sport first emerged.[1] He gained attention at a young age for his skill and creativity. A 1996 Sports Illustrated profile described him as one of the most accomplished athletes in the sport's history.[2] Shults graduated from the University of Oregon in 1988 with a degree in advertising.[2]
Competitive career
[edit]World championships and titles
[edit]Shults has won multiple world championships in freestyle, doubles freestyle, footbag net, doubles net, and consecutive kicks.[1] According to the International Footbag Players Association, he has earned 18 world titles in footbag net—eight in singles and ten in doubles.[3] His competitive career spans from the late 1970s through the 2000s.[1]
Technical innovation and contributions
[edit]Shults co-developed the ADD system, the difficulty-rating method used in modern freestyle footbag.[1] He has invented and named numerous advanced maneuvers, including the trick known as "Big Apple Sauce".[1] His work helped refine core elements of freestyle play such as stalls, dexterities, and linking concepts.[1]
Media, teaching, and community involvement
[edit]Shults created the instructional videos Tricks of the Trade and Tricks of the Trade 2—wide
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Ken Shults – Footbag Hall of Fame". Footbag Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ a b Swift, Earle (November 25, 1996). "Dance of the Magic Feet". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ "Footbag Net World Champions". FootbagNet.com. Retrieved February 1, 2025.