This past Saturday, Level|Up held it’s first tournament in Southern California directed by Street Fighter veteran Alex Valle. The 64-man tourney included 80% of the West Coast’s top players but in the end Justin Wong proved again why he’s still the U.S. National Street Fighter Champion. Rolling through qualifications with ease, Justin faced only brief difficulty during the finals against Peter “Combofiend” Rosas. The two battled it out in a rare Cammy mirror match, never seen before in a top level tournament. Although Peter scored a few wins against Justin with his surprise choice of Cammy from left field, it wasn’t quite enough to take the title.

Level|Up Street Fighter IV Results
1. Justin Wong (Cammy, Rufus)
2. Peter “Combofiend” Rosas (Cammy, Abel, Sagat)
3. Ricky Ortiz (Rufus)

Level|Up also held it’s first Beat-The-Pro event where attendees had a chance to win cash by besting a “Pro” player in a two of three game match up. Alex Valle was the guest pro of the night, and two of the eight contestants (Richard Nguyen and “Juicebox”) were able to beat the seasoned veteran. Each winning $100 and bragging rights to say “I beat the pro!” For more event details, video coverage and information about future tournaments, be sure to check out Level|Up.

Level|Up Pics and Photo Gallery

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

Justin made a smart move in the finals, switching from his main character Rufus to Abel, knowing that John probably hasn’t learned the intricacies of all the SFIV characters yet. I’m predicting the story will be quite different in future as he gains more experience with the game.

Recaps of the entire tournament are available from recorded sessions by djWHEAT and the Live on Three crew. They did a fabulous job live streaming this event, and have set a standard that all should follow when covering future Street Fighter tournaments.

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