Robert Gagno holds up his trophy of a martian from the PAPA world championships.

Robert Gagno holds up his trophy of a martian from the PAPA world championships.
Photo Credit: Maurizio Gagno-via CBC

The pinball wizard is Canadian

Ever since I was a young boy, I’ve played that silver ball…….He’s a pinball wizard. There has to be a twist.  A pinball wizard’s got such a supple wrist.  (Pinball Wizard-The Who)

Robert Gagno is pictured next to the second to fourth placed players he beat out at the PAPA World Championships. They are all from the United States. L-R): Zach Sharpe, Jim Belsito and Jon Replogle.
Canadian Robert Gagno is pictured next to the second to fourth placed players he beat out at the PAPA World Championships. They are all from the United States. L-R): Zach Sharpe, Jim Belsito and Jon Replogle. © Maurizio Gagno-viz CBC

Who knew? There are more than 40,000 registered competitive pinball players worldwide.

Now the world champ- is a Canadian  from the city of Burnaby, next to Vancouver in British Columbia

His father says Robert Gagno was enthralled by the first pinball machine he saw when he was eight.

Robert Gagno in 2015 playing :Game of Thrones* pinball machine, heading toward a score of over a billioni!
Robert Gagno in 2015 playing :Game of Thrones* pinball machine, heading toward a score of over a billioni! © *Stern Pinball* FaceBook

Now, 27, Robert who is autistic, has overcome all rivals at the Professional and Amateur Pinball Association (PAPA) Championships held in Pittsburgh, USA.

Some have said the man’s autism gives him the edge, but his father it’s practice. He says Robert practices several hours a week in addition to playing in many weekly tournaments.

Yes there is a Pinball Magazine, and there is Robert on the cover of the new issue.
Yes there is a Pinball Magazine, and there is Robert on the cover of the new issue. © http://www.pinball-magazine.com/

Gagno was the Canadian champ before winning the international title. He has said he wants to become a pinball legend, and he’s there, featured on the cover now of Pinball Magazine

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