EVO 2018 has once again saved the best for last, with the Top 8 of Street Fighter 5 set to be the final clash for the main event. While nearly 2,500 players entered the tournament, all eyes were firmly on the Top 8 as they battled hard for the chance at the glory that comes with winning EVO on the main stage. we caught up with Fuudo after the event, to get his thoughts on how the matches played out.
While he didn’t quite make the final match, Keita “Fuudo” Ai managed to put on an extremely impressive showing, claiming a solid third place after facing off against the best in the world. Making his way through the pools and semi-finals, Fuudo established himself as a threat to the other players, landing in the Winners Semi-Final bracket as the world prepared to watch the Top 8 battle it out.
You got to top 3, which is awesome, what are your plans to make it to number 1 next year?
If I were just to focus on just winning, it’s not wise for me to just have R. Mika as my character. I need to have a second or third for EVO and other tournaments, but I do feel comfortable with R. Mika and also my mastery is high with her. As an entertainer showing good gameplay, I would like to still use her.
His first match against Hajime “Tokido” Taniguchi was impressive, as he took down the former EVO champion three games to one. Putting the versatility of R. Mika to full use, Fuudo picked up the first game relatively easy, before battling hard to take the second game as well. While Tokido managed to find his footing and secure the third game, Fuudo bounced back and claimed the fourth game to send Tokido to the Loser’s bracket and himself to the Winner’s final.
If you were choosing a secondary character, who would it be?
At the moment I am practicing Birdy, but I don’t know if I will stick with him, just because looking around, there are so many Cammy players because she’s so strong, but with every patch you never know what’s going to happen to Birdy or Cammy, so I’ll see what happens in the next update.
Fuudo’s next major challenge would be the Winner’s final against Benjamin “Problem X” Simon, a talented player carrying the hopes of the UK and European FGC on his shoulders. The first game went in favor of Fuudo, showcasing his skill with R. Mika against the M. Bison of Problem X. the next two games would go to Problem X, as he found his footing and learned how to deal with Fuudo. Despite Problem X being on match point, Fuudo was able to power through and claim the fourth game, setting up an exciting showdown. The final game would itself go to the final round, though ultimately Problem X was able to turn things around and claim victory, sending himself to the grand final, while Fuudo would need to battle once again in the loser’s final.
In the top 8 you came up against Tokido, who is an incredibly strong player and was the defending champion from last year. Was there an enormous amount of pressure stepping into the ring with him, or was there a shift in mentality once you got past him?
We practice a lot together, and through those games it’s basically a 50/50 between us, so going into this match I had a feeling that I could get him and when I did, I could see the light from the trophy right there, like I could touch it. At the same time, I had never won EVO or other major tournaments in Street Fighter 5, so there was some uncertainty there and I was not super confident.
The loser’s final would see Fuudo taking on Tokido once again, as the two players faced off for a chance to challenge Problem X in the Grand Final. Tokido was very quick to take the first two games, obviously eager to exact revenge on Fuudo for sending him to the loser’s bracket. The third game was hotly contested, with Fuudo finding his rhythm and claiming his first victory in this match. Unfortunately, Tokido could not be swayed from his course, claiming the fourth game and ending Fuudo’s run on the spot.
You have been at the top of another scene, you were a Virtua Fighter champion. Has your rise through Street Fighter 5 been a different experience? Does it feel like a new process switching to Street Fighter 5?
It was almost 10 years ago that I won a tournament with Virtua Fighter, and I do still play the game, but when you compare that to Street Fighter 5, it’s an entirely different game, so I do have a different approach. Also, back then I was not a pro gamer, back then gaming was a passion of mine but not to the extent that it was work or anything, my approach to gaming has shifted and if there are things that I need to master, I make sure I do. I go through the list of items I need to do to conquer, and the detail work that I do is different now.
Watching now from the sideline, Fuudo’s time on the main stage at EVO 2018 had come to an end, secure in his third place behind Tokido and the eventual winner, Problem X. Finishing top 3 at EVO 2018 is a very good result for anyone to accomplish, though the allure of first place will always be there for those that just missed out. For more on EVO 2018, check out the surprise reveal that G and Sagat will be available for Street Fighter 5 on August 6th, here.
