GFU Student Inspired Balloon World Cup

By: Mckenzie Gerdes

During quarantine, George Fox University (GFU) student Antonio Arredondo and his siblings Diego and Isa posted TikTok videos of them playing a Keep-Up Balloon game. Millions of views later, they were invited to Europe for the new Balloon World Cup they inspired.

What is the Keep-Up Balloon game? Antonio Arredondo, a senior broadcast journalism major at GFU, said, “The rules of the game are simple: don’t let the balloon touch the ground! You hit the balloon away from your opponent and try to hit it somewhere they can’t reach.”

How did this game become an event that has the attention of people from all around the world? In 2019, the Arredondo siblings revived the childhood game, recording videos of them playing it in order to see when the balloon really hit the ground. Arredondo said, “before the Balloon World Cup, before the TikTok fame, before even recording, it all started with bored kids having fun.”

On Aug. 19, one particular TikTok of Antonio and Diego playing the Keep-Up Balloon game went viral and got 12.4 million views and 1.7 million likes. That is when Ibai Llanos, a famous Spanish Twitch streamer, and Gerard Pique, a professional soccer player for FC Barcelona and husband to Shakira, both decided to create the new Balloon World Cup.

“When they first contacted us, I didn't believe them. There was no way a Balloon World Cup could be a real thing,” Arredondo said about the Instagram message he received inviting them to Spain. “After some time, though, I realized it wasn't a scam but the opportunity of a lifetime.”

On Oct. 14, the Balloon World Cup began with 32 different countries being represented. Antonio, Diego, and their father went to Barcelona. Arredondo said that people wanted to take pictures with them and would comment on how much they loved the sport. “It's just so special to know that your work, no matter how crazy it seems, makes an impact on people worldwide,” said Arredondo.

Since the Balloon World Cup, where Francesco De La Cruz from Peru became the first world champion, the game is still gaining popularity worldwide. The Arredondo siblings' journey with creating the Keep-Up Balloon League has included people publishing their story. They’ve also been communicating with SportsCenter, Sports Illustrated, and Mountain Dew. Arredondo said, “As for the Keep-Up Balloon League, we'll keep posting as long as people keep watching.”

To support the GFU community members and stay up to date on Balloon League content, following their social media accounts listed below:

TikTok: @tuwanrovio

Instagram: @balloon_league