Kineda » Daigo

Daigo Umehara Challenges Top Players in Nagoya

Terry Ng — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:07:37 +0000

Although Daigo isn’t the number one Street Fighter IV player in Japan (Mago and Ojisan Boy are ahead of him in battle points), he still gets quite the attention. The top players in Nagoya gathered together to see how they would fair against this top Ryu player. Some won by a near margin, and others simply got raped. One of my favorites is the battle against Rikuson’s Sagat where he shows off his link combo prowess. Check out the full list of Daigo/Nagoyo challenge videos here.

Daigo Wins Evo 2009 Street Fighter IV Championship Title — Defeats Justin Wong

Terry Ng — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:36:19 +0000

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)

The Best Street Fighter Players Will Battle at EVO 2009

Terry Ng — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:55:18 +0000

Seth Kellian has a great writeup on what EVO is all about and why it’s so hype. From the scrubbiest of scrubs to household Street Fighter names like John Choi, Alex Valle, Justin Wong and Daigo, they’ll all be there. Forget how great you think you are against your friends, or how many BP or GP points you have online, because it all really won’t matter. EVO 2009 which starts next Friday, July 17th, 2009 is the place to be, if you want to prove you’re the best at Street Fighter IV and other Capcom games.

(Video Summary: EVO 2004 – Justin Wong vs. Daigo)

Japan Street Fighter IV Nationals DVD

Terry Ng — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:29:46 +0000

Tired of watching low quality videos of the top Japanese Street Fighter players on YouTube? So are we. Releasing on April 30th is the official Toushi Saigeki Ken wo Moyase Street Fighter IV Zenkoku Taikai DVD (Japanese Street Fighter IV Nationals). The compilation will include over 128 matches and player interviews from the best like Iyo and Daigo “The Beast.”

Get your copy today from Play Asia ($54).

Justin Wong Wins SFIV National Tournament and Daigo Wins International Title

Terry Ng — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 09:51:49 +0000

It was pure pandemonium at the GameStop Street Fighter IV National Tournament finals tonight! Thousands of SF fans flooded Fort Mason Festival Pavilion in San Francisco to watch the best of the best fight for the title of top Street Fighter player in the country. After a series of GameStop tournaments the past few months, it came down to 16 very talented players, but only one could win.

(Justin Wong – SFIV National Tournament Winner)

The journey to the top definitely wasn’t easy. Littered through the list of finalists were legendary adversaries like Mike Ross (E.Honda), Antawn Ortiz (Balrog) and Jason “A-Dhalsim” Cole (Balrog). Matches we’re extremely close at times, but Justin Wong dominated with the pressure of a super offensive Rufus. Often finishing off opponents with his arms shooting up in the air on cue with the finishing hit of Rufus’s Ultra. The crowd loved it, and raised their hands to the roof as well.

(Street Fighter IV Producer Yoshinori Ono greets an amazingly enthusiastic crowd)

Immediately following the SFIV National Tournament was a shot at the International title. Battling it out round robin style, were Korea’s top player Poongko (Ryu), Japan’s top players Iyo (Dhalsim) and Daigo (Ryu), and Justin Wong (Rufus).

(Japan’s top player Iyo zoning opponents with Dhalsim’s long limbs)

After a series of very intense and exciting rounds (I’m talking crazya** ish like Focus Cancels to EX to another EX to Ultra finish combos without even flinching), Daigo and Justin remained on top. The two would battle it out in a much anticipated match.

(A disappointed Poongko after losing to Iyo, Daigo and Justin. )

Would Justin get redemption from the millions of people who have seen him get beat down by Daigo’s infamous Ken comeback on YouTube? Would the Rufus that he used to defeat all the best players in the U.S.A. be enough?

(Daigo and Justin Wong preparing for battle)

Not this time. Daigo’s godlike Street Fighter skills completely shut down Justin’s offensive strategy.

(Daigo punishes Justin with a focus dash cancel into Ryu’s Ultra)

Seth Killian did his absolute best to commentate during this final match, but Daigo’s attacks and counters were happening so fast, that even he couldn’t keep up with the craziness.

(SF Community Manager Seth Killian delivering excellent play-by-play commentary)

Final score 4-0. Best Street Fighter IV Player in the World — Daigo, better known as “The Beast.” He can rest easy and enjoy his victory for a few months, until he must defend his title at the Evo 2009 Championships in July at Las Vegas.

(Daigo holds down the International title for Japan)

Long live Street Fighter!

GameStop Street Fighter IV National Tournament Photo Gallery (videos below)

Tournament Videos
***More videos coming soon… be sure to check back this week***

Daigo vs. Justin Wong (International Finals)

Justin Wong vs. Mike Ross (National Finals)

Justin Wong vs. Poongko

Justin Wong vs. Iyo

Poonko vs. Daigo

Poongko vs Iyo

Iyo vs. Daigo