It was pure pandemonium at Evo 2009, as Daigo “The Beast” Umehara defeated U.S Champion Justin Wong two sets to one, proving once against why he’s the best Street Fighter IV player in the world. Despite the large crowd of screaming spectators who wanted Justin to score a win for U.S.A. he couldn’t quite pull it off. Daigo remained extremely composed throughout the matches, adapting and adjusting to Justin’s ruthless and relentless Balrog.
After being placed in the losers’ bracket by Daigo, Justin chose Abel as his first character in hopes of surprising Daigo with an unfamiliar match up. Daigo wasn’t fazed and Justin was forced to choose another another alternate character to his usual Rufus. After much thought he chose Balrog, which was incredibly wise decision as he proceeded to give Daigo his first set loss of the tournament. Justin’s mix up and pressure game with Balrog put Daigo in a bit of trouble, but in trademark like fashion, Daigo was able to pull through with his godlike abilities and win the final match.
This isn’t the first time Daigo has defeated Justin in the finals of a major tournament — it’s his third. Daigo’s first win came during his infamous parry finish at Evo 2004. His second win was at the 2009 Game Stop National Tournament back in April where he completely shutout Justin’s Rufus. With this hard fought and epic third win against Justin at Evo 2009, there’s no question that Daigo is the best international Street Fighter IV player and the man to beat.
We’ll follow him next month as he faces current Japan national champion Mago at the SBO finals. I’m sure Daigo will be nothing short of amazing.
Mad props and thanks to Tony Cannon, Tom Cannon, Seth Killian, Joey Cueller and the rest of the Evo staff for organizing and running Evo 2009. There’s absolutely no fighting game tournament as hype this side of the Pacific!
Evo 2009 Street Fighter IV Finals Video – Daigo vs. Justin Wong
Evo 2009 Street Fighter IV Finals Results
Justin Wong (losers’ bracket) wins first set 3-2, giving Daigo his first loss of the tournament
Daigo Umehara (Ryu) [2-0] Justin Wong (Abel)
Daigo Umehara (Ryu) [0-2] Justin Wong (Balrog)
Daigo Umehara (Ryu) [0-2] Justin Wong (Balrog)
Daigo Umehara (Ryu) [2-1] Justin Wong (Balrog)
Daigo Umehara (Ryu) [1-2] Justin Wong (Balrog)
Daigo Umehara wins final set 3-2 to win champtionship title at Evo 2009
Daigo Umehara (Ryu) [2-0] Justin Wong (Balrog)
Daigo Umehara (Ryu) [0-2] Justin Wong (Balrog)
Daigo Umehara (Ryu) [2-0] Justin Wong (Balrog)
Daigo Umehara (Ryu) [1-2] Justin Wong (Balrog)
Daigo Umehara (Ryu) [2-0] Justin Wong (Balrog)
Evo 2009 Street Fighter IV Finals Pics and Photo Gallery
Evo 2009 SFIV Top 8 Players
1. Daigo Umehara (Ryu)
2. Justin Wong (Boxer, Abel, Rufus)
3. Ed Ma (Akuma)
4. Sanford Kelly (Akuma, Cammy)
5. Long Tran (Akuma)
6. Eduardo Perez (Boxer, E-Honda)
7. Takashi Hukushi (Ryu)
8. Ricky Ortiz (Rufus)
Related Links:
Evo Day 2 Photos
Evo Day 1 Photos
Ladies of SFIV at Evo 2009
Evo 2009 Live Broadcast
Evo HD Content at IGN Insider
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[...] Full set of quality pictures of the event here: http://www.kineda.com/daigo-wi.....stin-wong/ [...]
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The grand finals was eppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppic, I was screaming since Daigo technically got a free rematch since he never lost once – this was at 1:30 in the morning, But the grand finals was something amazing, holy. . . Its like Justin’s boxer is better than Gootek’s boxer, surprised me he even managed to get a few games off Daigo. Next year, I gotta come to Evo!
how come there was a delay in setting up for HD Remix+SF4? They had the guy from the Dogface show talking for a while and I was like “Where’s the street fighter?”.
Plan to upload all 1000+images to a flickr album Terry? :D
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That match was incredible. I really loved the live stream idea because that enabled 25k more viewers to get the EVO experience. I was rooting for Justin but Daigo definitely earned it and is without a doubt one of the best Street Fighter Players in the world. I’m gonna try to make it out there. I literally had nothing else to do so I watched about 7 hrs of coverage a day.
[...] Fotos de la Final Daigo vs justin Wong [...]
The finals were definitely EPIC. I mean normally i don’t care to see Justin win but I was going insane when he reset the series. Ssooooo close, to finally taking down Diago, but it was great.
For me though, my favorite final was the MvC2 finals, Yipes was insane, and then Sanford vs Justin. Old school Cable was so lovely to see, he did a great job and really wanted that championship so bad. I’m pretty sure i’m gonna try to come out to evo next year for tekken 6 mainly, and to get my ass handed to me in in some sf4.
Great photos Terry, I’ll have to spread some love via my site for the awesome coverage. How does one go about being a press/photog at Evo anyway, if you don’t mind me asking.
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Amazing pics. Watched the stream last night and the finals we’re sick!!!! I wanted Justin to win but I knew he prolly wouldn’t.
EPIC FINALS!!!!! Justin almost had him but I’m glad Daigo won. He’s much more humble and not obnoxious like Justin is. I was actually hoping to see Ed Ma make it to the finals. It would’ve been an interesting match.
If Justin didn’t give Daigo the free win with Abel he prolly would’ve won. Too late to say now tho.
[...] win against the U.S. Champion Justin Wong 2-1. A full report of the tournament can be read at Kineda.com. I would of entered myself but my master trained me not to use my skills for personal [...]
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[...] win against the U.S. Champion Justin Wong 2-1. A full report of the tournament can be read at Kineda.com. I would of entered myself but my master trained me not to use my skills for personal [...]
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[...] Diago wins SF IV world championship [...]
Daigo had absolute control over the entire match. He was just toying with Justin.
Justin Wong is out of shape. He should get off his fat ass and hit the gym. Justin Wong should also do something about his hygiene, that fat ass looks like he hasn’t showered in months.
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