Get to Know Them Before the Big Event
As you build momentum toward the World Sign Spinning Championship 2026 in Las Vegas, it is time to spotlight the leaders who will be evaluating the best sign spinners on the planet. These judges are not just observers. They are pioneers, culture builders, and competitors who helped shape the sport.
Judge 1: Christian Burke
Christian Burke began his sign spinning career in 2008 in Arizona, grinding through some of the most extreme conditions in the country. In the Arizona desert, 115°+ summer days are not unusual. To last out there, you do not just need skill. You need passion. And Christian had it. Over the past 18 years, he has developed deep technical knowledge, stage presence, endurance, and a true understanding of what separates good from legendary.
His journey represents:
Relentless work ethic
Heat-tested endurance
Technical precision
Passion for the culture
Christian is eager to see what the new generation brings to the stage in 2026.
His mindset heading into WSSC 2026?
Let’s gooooooo.
Judge 2: Raphael Angeles
Raphael Angeles began sign spinning in 2007 in the San Francisco Bay Area, competing actively through 2015. During his competitive years, Raphael was more than an athlete. He was a creator and a culture builder.
He:
Produced content that elevated sign spinning’s legitimacy as an art form
Collaborated widely within the spinning community
Frequently created videos with his brother, Jose Angeles, the 2017 World Sign Spinning Champion
Helped push technical standards and creative expression forward
After stepping away from competition, Raphael continued contributing to movement culture by working with flowtoys, a respected global brand in the flow arts world. There, he helped build and promote LED spinning props, strengthening the international spinner community.
Today, Raphael brings that same discipline and creative energy into kitchen management while raising his family in Walnut Creek, California.
Returning as a WSSC judge is a full-circle moment. It represents legacy, leadership, and a commitment to supporting the next generation of elite sign spinners.
Judge 3: Tony Ha
Tony Ha brings over 20 years of sign spinning experience to the WSSC 2026 judging panel, making him one of the most seasoned veterans in the industry.
Throughout his career, Tony has not only mastered the craft of sign spinning but has also played a major role in helping grow the business side of the industry. His experience as a strong sales representative and networker has helped expand sign spinning campaigns across the Baltimore, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia markets.
By building relationships with businesses and demonstrating the effectiveness of professional sign spinning, Tony has helped introduce countless brands to the power of street-level marketing.
His two decades of experience give him a unique perspective on what truly makes a great sign spinner. From technical control and performance energy to professionalism and real-world effectiveness, Tony understands how the craft translates both on the street and on the championship stage.
Having judges who lived the grind, built the culture, and elevated the art form ensures that WSSC 2026 will be evaluated at the highest level.
