Daigo Umehara

Daigo Umehara
The Beast
Date of birth 19 May 1981
Hometown Tokyo
Nationality Japanese
Current team Madcatz
Games Super Street Fighter II Turbo
Street Fighter III 3rd Strike
Ultra Street Fighter IV
Street Fighter Alpha 3
Darkstalkers
Capcom vs. SNK 2
Guilty Gear
Capcom Fighting Evolution

Daigo Umehara (Japanese: 梅原 大吾 Hepburn: Umehara Daigo, born 19 May 1981) is a Japanese arcade fighting video game player. He specializes in 2D arcade fighting games, mainly those released by Capcom. Known as "Daigo" or "The Beast"[1] in the West and "Umehara" or "Ume" in Japan, Daigo is one of the world's most famous Street Fighter players, and is often considered its greatest as well.[2] He currently holds a world record of "the most successful player in major tournaments of Street Fighter" in Guinness World Records.[3][4][5][6]

Before properly being called a pro gamer[7] from signing a sponsorship deal with Mad Catz,[8] Japanese media usually referred to Daigo as "the god of 2D fighting games" (2D格闘ゲームの神 2D Kakutō Gēmu no Kami).[9][10][11][12][13][14]

Early career

Daigo began going to an arcade game center and playing fighting games as an elementary school student around 10 years of age.[7][15] Street Fighter II and Fatal Fury: King of Fighters had recently been released and were Daigos's first two fighting games.[7] Street Fighter II often had a very long line with older players, so he began learning Fatal Fury first.[7] After some time and due to the limited time he could stay at the game center, Daigo started challenging other players in Street Fighter II Dash (Champion Edition) for an opportunity to play even though he felt shy and had to ask for permission. This was when he discovered that he preferred competing with other players.[7]

Around the time when he was a 13-years-old middle school student,[7] Daigo shifted his main game to Vampire Hunter because he thought he was more skilled in that game than Street Fighter II.[7] He developed a reputation in Vampire Hunter by setting a 286-win streak record[16] in a single outing before he was forced to leave due to Akihabara Sega (now Club Sega[17]) game center closing for the day.[7][18][19] Umehara enrolled in his first tournament when he entered GAMEST Cup's national Vampire Hunter tournament in 1995,[20] losing in the block's finals.[21] His first tournament victory came at his second tournament, GAMEST Cup's national Vampire Savior tournament in 1997, where he defeated Ōnuki (now Nuki) in the finals.[21][22][23]

In 1998, an 17 years old Daigo participated in Capcom's official Street Fighter Zero 3 national tournament and advanced to the finals which took place on a stage in Tokyo Game Show 1998: Autumn on October 11.[24] After winning the tournament by defeating Ōnuki 3-1, Daigo, as the champion, went on to face Alex Valle, the winner of the U.S. national Street Fighter Alpha 3 tournament. The international "Grand Championship" was held in San Francisco, California on November 8. This was Daigo's first trip to U.S. and the first overseas tournament appearance.[25] The match was best of three games, with five-round games. Daigo came from behind to win 2-1.[26][27] Both events aired as a 50-minute TV report in Japan.[28]

In September 2001, Daigo's popularity led to the publishing of a mini-autobiography called VERSUS (known as "Umehon" (ウメ本) or "Ume Book" by fans). The book's content is separated into six chapters chronicling the games in which he competes and includes background stories, anecdotes of competitions, and analysis of his opponents.[18]

In 2002, Daigo appeared in a U.S. versus Japan exhibition in Japan. American players competed in four games (Super Street Fighter II Turbo, Street Fighter Alpha 3, Street Fighter III 3rd Strike and Marvel vs. Capcom 2) for the right to battle Japan's best players in those respective games. Umehara only entered the 3rd Strike exhibition, but defeated all of his opponents, ending each round with Ken's fierce Shoryuken. These events were filmed for the documentary Bang the Machine.[29][30]

In 2003, Daigo won the Super Street Fighter II Turbo tournament in the first Super Battle Opera (Tougeki) and won the same game in Evolution Championship Series when he joined the event for the first time in the same year, making him the first player to win both SBO and Evolution in same year on the same game. Umehara also went to Evolution 2004 and Absolution 2004[31] on April 18 in England and won SSF2 Turbo there.[21][32]

Daigo has participated regularly in a number of tournaments, appearing at least one each year since beginning in 1997, with a brief hiatus in 2008.[21][33]

Evolution 2004

Umehara started becoming famous internationally from the YouTube video clips[34][35] of his match in the Losers bracket final[36] in Evolution Championship Series 2004's Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike competition where he made a dramatic comeback against Justin Wong's Chun-Li. In the final round of match 1, Umehara's Ken was down to his last pixel of vitality.[37] At this point, any special attack would knock Umehara's character out if connected, since special attacks deal chip damage even when blocked. In an attempt to win the round, Wong attempted to hit Umehara's Ken with Chun-Li's multihit Super Art move Houyoku-sen (鳳翼扇, "phoenix-wing fan").[38] However, instead of avoiding it, Umehara chose to "Parry," a technique whereby an incoming attack is blocked without the player losing any health, but by doing so requires moving toward opponent's direction in the same time a hit lands,[39] within four of thirty frames of the impact animation. After the move was launched, not only were all 15 hits parried, but Umehara also managed to get into a good position to make a powerful attacking combo[40] that knocked Chun-Li out instead. This moment, and the ecstatic cheering of the spectators that followed, was recorded and later spread on the Internet, gaining immense popularity.[36][41][42] In 2011, Kotaku ranked it first place in its list of "The 10 Best Moments in Pro-Gaming History".[43]

NHK's TV program, MAG-NET, has called this moment "The miraculous reversal play" (奇跡の逆転劇 Kiseki no Gyakuten Geki). Within the English speaking fighting game online community, it is referred to as "Evo Moment #37: The Beast is Unleashed",[44] and the offensive combo used would later appear in Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition as Advanced Parry Training #5. This trial mode challenge specifically refers to Daigo's use of the combo, as the challenge description is "Evo Moment #37." (Most Trial Mode challenges within the game have a description of the combo in the challenge.)[45]

Street Fighter IV era

In July 2008, Umehara came out of retirement[46] and became competitive once again. This time, his focus was on the newly released Street Fighter IV. Because of this, Japanese arcade gaming magazine Arcadia has included a DVD featuring "Umehara Concept Matches" in its January 2009 issue (released on November 29, 2008) and "The God has returned" was stated in Umehara's player introduction part. The DVD contains exhibition matches between him and Japan's 6 top players such as Inoue, Itabashi Zangief, Fuudo, Nemo, and Mago.[47]

2009

On March 5, Umehara made an appearance as the "God of fighting games world" in a TV show "Gamer's Koshien". He and the fellow Japan's 4 top players (Soushihan KSK, Itabashi Zangief, Mago, and Tokido) had to compete with each other and with celebrities in a Street Fighter IV round-robin tournament where the top players had to beat the amateurs overwhelmingly in order to get a good point as a handicap.[10][48]

On April 18, at GameStop's Street Fighter IV National Tournament 2009,San Francisco, California, there were exhibition matches between 4 players from 3 countries after the actual competition ended. It featured Iyo who had recently won the Japanese National SF4 tournament, Poongko who won the Korean SF4 National Tournament, Justin Wong who won the American National SF4 tournament, and Daigo Umehara who came by Capcom's invitation.[49] Umehara defeated Iyo, Poongko and Justin Wong to win the tournament. He was awarded a free trip to Evolution 2009 in Las Vegas.[50][51]

Umehara began writing a column in Arcadia starting from the August issue, called Umehara Column: Michi.[52] ("Umehara Column: Street")

For his win at the GameStop tournament, Umehara started his Street Fighter IV competition as a seeded player in the semi-finals on July 18, which is the second day of Evolution 2009. In the third and the last day, Umehara defeated Justin Wong and put him into the Losers Bracket, then advanced to the grand finals just to meet Wong again. The two fought until the last game possible, but Umehara won the competition.[53][54][55]

The September issue[56] of Arcadia magazine included a DVD featuring the second of "Umehara's Concept Matches" which is the sequel to the DVD from late 2008. This time Umehara had to fight Japan's 5 top players: Mago, Iyo, Nuki, Nemo, and Shirou.[57][58][59]

On August 7, Umehara participated in an all night tournament called "GODSGARDEN."[60][61]

Umehara participated in exhibition matches in a Street Fighter IV competition in Taiwan on October 10.[62] The matches were broadcast live on Famitsu's web channel.[63]

Umehara went to America again to join a tournament called Season's Beatings on October 16–18 in Columbus, Ohio.[64][65] He won Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix and Street Fighter IV Singles competition.[66][67]

On November 26, Umehara and 5 other top Japanese Street Fighter IV players joined a Nico Nico internet live show[68] to talk about the second GODSGARDEN tournament. The show also held an exhibition match between himself and Mago.[69]

2010

Instead of participating GODSGARDEN #2 (March 6),[70] Umehara flew to France to enter Street Fighter IV tournaments in World Game Cup[71] gaming event that took place between March 3–7. He finished the second place in singles and first in 2 on 2.[72][73]

Umehara and two teammates participated official Street Fighter IV National Tournament[74] and qualified to the top 14 on April 4. His team was eliminated in the quarter finals. The competition was broadcast live on Nico Nico.[75]

Umehara went to the United States to join Capcom's Super Street Fighter IV "Fight Club" launch party in Los Angeles on April 23.[76] The party held exhibition matches in which he played various characters including Hakan, Guy and Dee Jay against a dozen of challengers. The event ended with a 3-out-of-5 match,[77][78] between him and Justin Wong. Their draw result from double K.O. at the end left Umehara undefeated in that night.

It is also revealed in the event that Umehara accepted a sponsorship deal from Mad Catz and will play under their name in the future tournaments.[8][79][80][81][82][83]

The limited edition of Super Street Fighter IV game from e-CAPCOM store comes with a special DVD featuring two tournaments between Japan's 8 top players: Umehara, Tokido, Iyo, Shirou, Kin Devu, Momochi, Tokidoki Nukings, and Itabashi Zangief. The first one is a "new character only" tournament where Umehara played as Adon. The second one is for old characters.[84][85] The Super Street Fighter IV Technical Guide published by Enterbrain which was released on April 28 includes a DVD featuring exhibition matches of the new characters played by Japan's 7 top players: Umehara, Tokido, Kin Devu, Iyo, Momochi, Itabashi Zangief, and Shirou.[86][87]

On May 9, Umehara made his appearance as the "Super Player" on an NHK's Sunday night program "MAG-NET" which had a scoop on Street Fighter. The show told the story about his fame (including his 2004 dramatic comeback), his life, his competitions and his opponents. There was also Umehara's tutorial session where he demonstrated his arcade stick gripping method called "Umehara Mochi" (ウメハラ持ち) or "Umehara Grip" and his signature Ryu's combo technique—Shouryuken > Focus Attack Dash Cancel > Metsu Hadouken.[88][89]

On May 15, Nico Nico Live held a Super Street Fighter IV online competition where participating online players on Xbox Live got a chance to fight Japan's 3 top players: Umehara, Mago, and Tokido. They also have offline matches and a short talk corner.[90]

Umehara went to Australia for the first time when he participated Evolution Asia Pacific's Super Street Fighter IV tournament in Sydney on May 29–30. He won the tournament losing just one game[91] and, as the grand prize, earned a paid flight to Evolution 2010 in Las Vegas where he will start off as a seeded player.[92][93][94][95][96][97][98]

On June 4, Umehara joined the 106th Xbox Live Park online event held by Microsoft Japan with Famitsu's editorial department. Participating Xbox Live Gold members got a chance to have a Super Street Fighter IV online match and chat with Umehara in the 2-hour period.[99]

After the invitation to play in Electronic Sports World Cup (July 3–4) was cancelled[100] and after getting the 2nd place in Nagoya Street Battle 15 (July 4),[101] Umehara joined Evolution 2010 between July 9–11 and faced a tougher challenge than before with over 1,700 players[102] from around the world participating in the Super Street Fighter IV tournament. However, without going down to Losers bracket, Umehara won the tournament in front of ten thousands of audiences both in the hall and in front of computer screens. The live stream of the event set a new record with approximate 48,000 viewers at peak 2 channels combined (Stickam 18,000 and Ustream 30,000) during the SSF4 grand finals before it went down due to technical problems.[103] Umehara also received Evo exclusive golden arcade stick with serial number 1 as a prize.[104][105][106][107][108][109]

After winning the qualifier on May 22,[110] Umehara's team participated in the Super Battle Opera 2010's Street Fighter IV finals on September 19 and won the second place. The event took place as a part of Tokyo Game Show 2010 at Makuhari Messe International Convention Complex.[111] A pay-per-view live stream was distributed by Nico Nico.[112]

Umehara participated in Season's Beatings tournament in Ohio for the second time between October 15–17,[113] Southern California Regionals tournament in Los Angeles between November 6–7,[114][115][116] Canada Cup in Canada between November 13–14,[117] and Northern California Regionals tournament between November 20–21.[118] He then went to Kuwait for an exhibition event on November 26.[119]

2012

Umehara published his first book The Willpower to Keep Winning (勝ち続ける意志力 Kachitsuzukeru ishiryoku) on April 2, 2012.

Achievements

YearTournamentGamePlaceCharacterNote
2015Japan Topanga World League 2 Ultra Street Fighter IV1stEvil Ryu
2015United States NorCal Regionals Ultra Street Fighter IV1stEvil Ryu
2015France Red Bull Kumite Ultra Street Fighter IV5thEvil Ryu
2015United States Final Round 18 Ultra Street Fighter IV13thEvil Ryu
2015United States South by Southwest Fighters Invitational Ultra Street Fighter IV5thEvil Ryu
2015Canada Canada Cup Masters Series Ultra Street Fighter IV1stEvil Ryu
2014United States Capcom Cup Finals Ultra Street Fighter IV9thEvil Ryu
2014Japan Topanga League 4AUltra Street Fighter IV1stEvil Ryu
2014Singapore Capcom Pro Tour Asia FinalsUltra Street Fighter IV1stEvil Ryu[120]
2014Taiwan Capcom Pro Tour Qualifier TaiwanUltra Street Fighter IV1stEvil Ryu[121]
2014United States Evolution 2014Ultra Street Fighter IV49thEvil Ryu[122]
2014Japan Topanga Charity Cup 4Ultra Street Fighter IVlost in the 3rd roundEvil RyuTeammate: Mago, Nyanshi, Nemo, Misse
2014Japan Topanga World League 2014Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition v20121stRyu
2013Sweden DreamHack Winter 2013Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition v20121st[123]Ryu
2013United States Evolution 2013Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition v20127thRyu
2013Japan Topanga Asia League 2013Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition v20122ndRyu
2012United States Street Fighter 25th Anniversary Tournament Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition v20122ndRyu
2012United States Evolution 2012Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition v20125thRyu
2012United States Community Effort Orlando 2012Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition v20127th[124]Ryu
2012Singapore South East Asia MajorsSuper Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition v20122ndRyu
2012South Korea LG CupSuper Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition2nd
2011Japan Nagoya Street Battle X MadCatzSuper Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition (3-on-3)1st Teammate: Tokido, Mago
2011Japan Nagoya Street Battle 30Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition (3-on-3)1st Teammate: Tokido, Mago
2011Japan Super Battle Opera 2011Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition (2-on-2)3rd Teammate: Iyo
2011United States Evolution 2011Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition4thYun
2011United States NorCal Regionals 9Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition1stYun
2011United States ReveLAtionsSuper Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition1st
2010United States NorCal Regionals 8Super Street Fighter IV4th
2010United States NorCal Regionals 8Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix1st
2010Canada Canada Cup[117]Super Street Fighter IV1st
2010United States SoCal Regionals 2010Super Street Fighter IV2nd
2010United States SoCal Regionals 2010Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix1st
2010United States Season's Beatings VSuper Street Fighter II Turbo1st
2010Japan Nagoya Street Battle 17Super Street Fighter IV (3-on-3)1st Teammate: MACHI, Momochi[125]
2010Japan Super Battle Opera 2010Street Fighter IV (3-on-3)2nd Teammates: TKD, Bon-chan[110]
2010England Super VS Battle 20-X[126]Super Street Fighter IV3rd
2010United States Evolution 2010Super Street Fighter IV1st[104]Ryu
2010Japan Nagoya Street Battle 15Super Street Fighter IV (3 on 3)2nd Teammate: Mago, Tokido
2010Australia Evolution Asia-PacificSuper Street Fighter IV1st[96]
2010France World Game Cup 2010Street Fighter IV2nd[127]Ryu
2009United States Seasons Beatings IVStreet Fighter IV1stRyu
2009United States Seasons Beatings IVSuper Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix1stRyu
2009Japan GODSGARDEN #1Street Fighter IV3rd[128]Ryu
2009United States Evolution 2009Street Fighter IV1st[129]Ryu
2007Japan 2nd Darkstalker Combination CupVampire Hunter1st
2007Japan X-Mania 7Super Street Fighter II Turbo (3-on-3)2ndRyu Teammates: Yaya, Aniken
2006United States Evolution 2006Guilty Gear XX Slash2nd
2005Japan Super Battle Opera 2005Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike (2-on-2)1stKenTeammate: Nuki
2005Japan Super Battle Opera 2005Capcom Fighting Jam (2-on-2)2ndUrien/Guile
2004Japan 4th Cooperation CupStreet Fighter III: 3rd Strike1stKen
2004England Absolution 2004Super Street Fighter II Turbo1stRyu, Balrog, O.Sagat, Zangief
2004England Absolution 2004Guilty Gear XX #Reload1st
2004England Absolution 2004Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike1stKen
2004England Absolution 2004Street Fighter Alpha 33rdX/A/V-Ryu
2004United States Evolution 2004Super Street Fighter II Turbo1stO. Sagat, Ryu, Balrog
2004United States Evolution 2004Guilty Gear XX1stSol
2004United States Evolution 2004Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike2ndKen
2004Japan Kakutou IshinStreet Fighter III: 3rd Strike2nd
2004Japan Kakutou IshinStreet Fighter Alpha 32nd
2003United States Evolution 2003Super Street Fighter II Turbo1stRyu
2003United States Evolution 2003Guilty Gear XX1stSol Badguy
2003United States Evolution 2003Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike2ndKen
2003United States Evolution 2003Capcom vs. SNK 22ndC-Guile/Cammy/Sagat
2003Japan Super Battle Opera (#1)Super Street Fighter II Turbo (3-on-3)1stChun-Li Teammates: Kurahashi, Otochun
2003Japan Super Battle Opera (#1)Capcom vs. SNK 22ndC-Guile/Chun-Li/Sagat
2000Japan Official National TournamentCapcom vs. SNK1st
2000Japan 3rd Official National TournamentStreet Fighter Alpha 31st
2000Japan X-Mania 2000Super Street Fighter II Turbo (3-on-3)3rd Teammates: Kurahashi, Tamashima
1998Japan Official National TournamentStreet Fighter Alpha 31stV-AkumaUnited States International Champion
1997Japan GAMEST CupVampire Savior1stBishamon

See also

References

  1. ↑ "【ＷＥＢ人・詳報版】プロゲーマー、ウメハラさん（２９）　「格ゲー盛り上げたい」". sankei.jp.msn.com. 2010-07-22. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  2. ↑ "Daigo Umehara: The King of Fighters". eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  3. ↑ Mad Catz (2010-08-27). "Team Mad Catz Gamer ‘Daigo "The Beast" Umehara’ Presented With Guinness World Record at ‘Super Vs Battle’ Tournament" (PDF). Mad Catz. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  4. ↑ Mad Catz (2010-08-22). "Congrats to Daigo Umehara for being awarded The Guinness Book of World Records award for most major event wins!". Mad Catz. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  5. ↑ Mad Catz (2010-08-23). "Team Mad Catz' Daigo with @Capcom_Unity's Seth Killian during the Guinness Book of World Records award ceremony.". Mad Catz. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  6. ↑ ssf4vids (2010-08-22). "daigo Umehara guiness (sic) book of world records most won international tournaments SVB 2010". YouTube. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 "【インタビュー】プロゲーマー梅原氏に直撃インタビュー（第1回）". Famitsu.com. 2009-06-14. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Mad Catz Announces Champion Gamer ‘Daigo "The Beast" Umehara’ Joins Team Mad Catz" (PDF). Mad Catz. 2010-04-27. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  9. ↑ Arcadia Editorial Department (2009-05-30). "月刊アルカディア7月号". Enterbrain. Retrieved 2009-07-19. "God of 2D fighting games" was written on the cover.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "ゲーマーズ甲子園 #9 / MONDO21". Nico Nico. 2009-03-13. Retrieved 2009-05-21. In 2008, a Japanese TV show "Gamer's Koshien" refers to Umehara as "God of fighting games world."
  11. ↑ "格闘ゲームの神，ウメハラ氏が米Mad Catzと契約。プロゲーマーとして活動を開始". 4gamer.net. 2010-04-28. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  12. ↑ "ついにプロゲーマーデビュー！　2D格闘ゲームの「神」ことウメハラ選手を知っていますか？". IT Media. 2010-04-27. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  13. ↑ "ウメハラの仮想スト２". Nico Nico. 2010-03-12. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
  14. ↑ Anigema (2010-05-27). "格ゲーの神、ウメハラさんは『スト2』と『スト4』どちらがお好き？". Anigema. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
  15. ↑ "ウメハラのインタビュー（X-MANIA）". Nico Nico. 2010-02-03. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
  16. ↑ At 256 wins the game’s counter reset to zero, but it still counts.
  17. ↑ "クラブセガ秋葉原". Sega. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "ウメハラ本". beastdaigo.jp. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  19. ↑ "[versus(ｳﾒ本)]:ﾊﾝﾀｰ編". vampire-dcc.com. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  20. ↑ "ウメハラ(当時１４歳)　初の全国大会". Nico Nico. Retrieved 2010-05-20.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 "About Umehara". beastdaigo.jp. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  22. ↑ "ゲーメスト杯　ヴァンパイアセイヴァー　インタビュー＋表彰式抜粋". Nico Nico. 2009-01-17. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  23. ↑ "ゲーメスト杯　ヴァンパイアセイヴァー決勝". Nico Nico. 2007-07-07. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  24. ↑ CESA. "TOKYO GAME SHOW Information". Tokyo Game Show 1998 Autumn. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  25. ↑ Capcom Unity's community manager (2009-06-01). "Daigo Umehara Answers Capcom Unity's Questions (Part 3)!". Capcom Unity. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  26. ↑ IGN Staff (1998-10-14). "Are You a Real Street Fighter?". IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
  27. ↑ GameSpot (2004). "Spotlight on the Evolution 2K4 Fighting Game Tournament". CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2008-11-27. Daigo became the most feared player among the Capcom competitive circles when he defeated Alex Valle during an official Street Fighter Alpha 3 world championship in 1998 (creating a legion of copycat V-Akuma players overnight with his infamous Demon Flip Vism combo). Since then, his fierce reputation has not diminished, as he consistently places in the top three in the majority of the 2D games he enters. If you want to be considered the best in the world, you have to be able to defeat this guy consistently (sorry...lucky flukes don't count).
  28. ↑ "スト ZERO3　全国大会＆日米対決". Nico Nico. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  29. ↑ Peter Kang (executive producer); Gene Na (executive producer); Richard Lowe (producer); Tamara Katepoo (director); Daigo Umehara, et al. (subject) (2002). Bang the Machine (Documentary). California, USA: JabStrongFierce. A documentary of an exhibition tournament in Japan showing the difference between American and Japanese gaming cultures.
  30. ↑ cast members have stated that the Bang The Machine documentary may never be officially released, because material was destroyed during the events of September 11, 2001.
  31. ↑ "3rdstrike.free.fr". Absolution 2004. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  32. ↑ "株式会社アイエヌエイチ > THE STARTING OVER HYPER STREET FIGHTER II". inhgroup.com. Retrieved 2009-05-21. Absolution2k4（イギリス大会）
  33. ↑ "About Daigo (Smaller tournaments and rank battles)". beastdaigo.jp. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  34. ↑ YouTube (2005-12-28). "Street Fighter - Justin vs Daigo". YouTube, LLC. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
  35. ↑ Daiko (2006-04-17). "Justin Wong vs. Daigo Umehara". YouTube, LLC. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Livingston, Tim (2008-08-19). "EVO 2K8: Fighting Games Personified". Advanced Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
  37. ↑ the character's vitality is indicated by a horizontal bar graph composed of columns of pixels. The player loses the game when his or her character's vitality is depleted.
  38. ↑ Capcom. "キャラクター紹介＆技表". capcom.co.jp. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  39. ↑ Capcom. "システム紹介". capcom.co.jp. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  40. ↑ consists of 4 moves ending with shippuu jinrai kyaku 疾風迅雷脚, lit. "lightning-fast hurricane kicks" or "hurricane thunderclap leg", Ken's super art #3 in Street Fighter III, which is a series of kicks that lifts and then pushes the opponent away
  41. ↑ Spitalieri, Mike (2007-03-22). "The 9 biggest moments in pro gaming (page 3 of 3)". IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2008-10-21. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
  42. ↑ McCarthy, Dave (2006-08-31). "The best of YouTube Article - Page 2". Eurogamer Network Ltd. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
  43. ↑ Breslau, Rod (July 13, 2011). "The 10 Best Moments in Pro-Gaming History". Kotaku. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  44. ↑ Sf3lp (2006-03-01). "Evo moment #37". YouTube, LLC. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
  45. ↑ Iron Galaxy Studios (August 23rd 2011 (PlayStation Network), August 24th, 2011 (Xbox Live Arcade)). "Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition". Xbox 360, PlayStation 3. Capcom. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  46. ↑ INH CO.,LTD (2007). "株式会社アイエヌエイチ > X-MANIA7 (samples from the DVD about X-MANIA 7)" (in Japanese). INH CO.,LTD. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
  47. ↑ Arcadia magazine (2010-05-15). "ウメハラプロｖｓ井上、板橋ザンギエフ、ふ～ど、JOE、ネモ、マゴ". Nico Nico. Retrieved 2010-05-21.
  48. ↑ "ゲーマーズ甲子園 :: MONDO21:". mondo21.net. Retrieved 2009-05-21.
  49. ↑ Oichi (2009-05-31). "Arcadia July - Umehara Six Page Interview". Oichi. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
  50. ↑ Capcom Unity's community manager (2009-04-20). "The Epic Conclusion: Street Fighter IV National Tournament". Capcom Unity. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  51. ↑ Terry Ng (2009-04-19). "Justin Wong Wins SFIV National Tournament and Daigo Wins International Title". Terry Ng. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
  52. ↑ Arcadia Editorial Department (2009-06-10). "月刊アルカディア8月号から『ウメハラコラム・道』の連載開始!!". Enterbrain. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  53. ↑ Terry Ng (2009-07-20). "Daigo Wins Evo 2009 Street Fighter IV Championship Title — Defeats Justin Wong". Terry Ng. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
  54. ↑ srkdotcom (2009-07-20). "Evo 2009 Live Broadcast". srkdotcom. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
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  56. ↑ The release date is July 30.
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