An 11-year-old boy who learned how to handle the Samoan fireknife from watching YouTube sites has won his age-division title at the 18th annual World Fireknife Championships in Laie.

Preston Weber of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has been a fireknife enthusiast for only about year, but he was skillful enough to win the 6-11 Junior Division last night at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Rex Tiumalu of Orlando, Fla., took the 12-17 Junior Division.

The fireknife dance consists of twirling a sharp knife, with both ends on fire, at high speeds. It stems from a dance Samoan warriors performed before battle to frighten the enemy and afterward to celebrate victory.

The adult individual world champion will be crowned tomorrow night.