Sports

Esports Star from Toyama Achieves Top Ranking at Global Competition

Dec 13 (News On Japan) - A professional gamer from Toyama Prefecture has made waves in the esports world, securing third place in the Street Fighter 6 category at the World Cup held in Saudi Arabia this August.

The tournament, which boasted the largest prize pool in esports history at 94 million yen, brought together elite players from around the globe.

The gamer, Tachikawa, excelled with his character "Manon," a fighter combining ballet and judo techniques. His performance earned him a prize of approximately 1.05 million yen. At the highest level of professional gaming, annual earnings can reportedly exceed 100 million yen, supplemented by sponsorships, streaming revenue, and viewer donations.

Tachikawa’s journey to esports stardom is rooted in his unique upbringing. Born as the second son of a temple family, he grew up influenced by his father, a drumming enthusiast and temple priest. Though initially set on pursuing a career in music, Tachikawa pivoted to professional gaming at 18, inspired by his father’s philosophy to "live freely."

Now a leading figure in Japan’s gaming scene, Tachikawa captained his team in the country’s top Street Fighter league this year, clinching a decisive victory. Looking ahead, he aims to compete in the Capcom Cup next March, where the grand prize is 150 million yen.

Source: TBS

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