If you’ve met Selby Shlosberg, you like Selby Shlosberg. Aside from being an accomplished juggler and combat player, she’s just one of the nicest darn people you’ll come across. That’s not to say that other people aren’t friendly, but that seems to be one of Selby’s innate qualities. While developing Major League Combat I consulted with Selby and played several rounds of combat with her to view the sport from the inside. I’m thrilled that she and her family are coming to WJF 9, and so I wanted you all to have a chance to meet her in case you can’t make it to Las Vegas this December.
The last time we saw you was at WJF 6. What have you been doing with your life since then?
Since WJF 6 (summer 2010), I graduated from USC with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. In 2011, I moved from LA to Las Vegas, NV where I worked at Pepsi Beverages Company. (Conveniently, WJF was never held in Las Vegas the two years I lived there.) In May of this year, I moved back to LA for a job at WhiteWave Foods (Silk Soy/Almond Milk, Horizon Organic Milk). I play ice hockey, run (I have completed 2 half marathons and am training for a marathon in March) and play kickball. I had a hamster named Nutmeg for a year and a half.
When was the last time you played combat?
The last time I played combat was at WJF 6.
You saw the first Major League Combat at WJF 6 when it was held on a relatively small field. What do you think of the advances in MLC at WJF 7 and WJF 8?
I think it is wonderful how much combat has grown in the last three years. Combat was always my favorite part of juggling. I like that MLC has made combat (and juggling) into more of a sport than a performance. The different versions will take a while for me to get used to, I do like the “free for all” combat.
What are you most looking forward to at WJF 9?
I am looking forward to combat and to see the juggling “family” that has been growing over the years.
What are your fondest WJF memories?
The highlight at every WJF is playing combat against the best jugglers in the world.
Other highlights include:
Seeing my parents in the referee outfits for MLC combat at WJF 6
Meeting and hanging out with amazing jugglers
Vova betting me that I couldn’t do triple singles with 5 clubs in the Women’s competition. He was right.
What would you say to convince someone to go to a WJF event who’s never been to one?
For a competitive juggler: If you want to compete against the best jugglers in the world… go to WJF.
For a non-competitive juggler: If you want to watch the best jugglers in the world compete, or if you want to compete against them in combat… go to WJF.
For a spectator: If you want to watch the best jugglers in the world compete… go to WJF. The competitions move quickly and are amazing. Plus it’s based on scores based on how difficult the tricks are and how well they did, so you can quantitatively understand why they won.
And for everyone… it’s really fun. It’s a great event with a wonderful group of people.
Looking back on your life, do you think you spent too much time juggling, not enough, or just enough?
It took me six months to learn how to juggle three balls. I would say that was a bit excessive (or sad). Other than that, I don’t think I spent too much time or too little time on juggling.
Do you still practice?
No, unfortunately I don’t practice anymore. A big part of my juggling was teams (with the “Swing Sisters” and then my friend Anna). When we moved apart to go to college, we stopped practicing.
What are you plans over the next 5-10 years?
Over then next 5-10 years, I plan on continuing to pursue my engineering career (boring, I know). I also want to run a marathon.
Selby Shlosberg lives in Los Angeles, CA and will be attending WJF 9 this December at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, NV and running the Extreme Combat Tournament..
