A vintage Champion Coca-Cola yo-yo award pin with red-and-gold enamel design and the iconic "Drink Coca-Cola" logo. Distributed by Russell Yo-Yo. The simple safety-pin back suggests a late 1960s to mid-1970s manufacture, predating the use of clutch-back style pin hardware. Jack Russell's partnership with Coca-Cola was especially active across Australia and the Philippines during that period of time.
The pin was awarded to players who achieved a certain skill level during an organized Coca-Cola yo-yo competition.
Many Coca-Cola yo-yo awards were produced in Japan or the Philippines, often in partnership with yo-yo companies like Duncan or Russell Yo-Yos, who ran the contests for Coca-Cola in various countries. These events were run by professional yo-yo demonstrators who toured schools and public spaces, teaching tricks and awarding pins, patches, and certificates. Earning a "Champion", "Master", or "Expert" pin meant a player had to successfully perform a set list of tricks on stage. It's not clear which of the three pins was considered the highest competition level award.
