CAPCOM CUP 11 Street Fighter 6 World Tournament Winner Is Kakeru from IBUSHIGIN! Post-Victory Interview: "Had a Fight with My Wife the Day Before"

The final day of "CAPCOM CUP 11," where the world's strongest "Street Fighter 6" player is decided, was held at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Saturday, March 8, 2025!
The winner was decided to be Kakeru player (@Kakeru_FGC) from IBUSHIGIN!

Grand Finals Kakeru vs. Blaz

"CAPCOM CUP 11" was the first time the Capcom Cup was held in Japan.
Japan's last hope, Kakeru (JP), was up against the Chilean prodigy, Blaz (Ryu).
While many expected Kakeru to receive the most cheers, Blaz, who had a heroic performance in the tournament, received just as much support.

#CAPCOMCUP11 TOP16 現地の映像とともに振り返り‼️
グランドファイナルは翔選手(JP) vs. Blaz選手(リュウ)の対決に。
翔選手が幸先の良いスタートを切りました💨#ストリートファイター6 #スト6 #CC11 pic.twitter.com/CzmZ96H9zG

— Saiga NAK (@saiganak) March 10, 2025

Kakeru, who advanced from the Winners bracket, would win the championship if he won this match.
Blaz, from the Losers bracket, would advance to the Grand Finals reset if he won this match, and then win the championship with one more victory.
The conditions were overwhelmingly in Kakeru's favor, but what would happen...?

Blaz, who had often been pushed back in the early stages until now, gained an advantage by bringing the fight to close range, which is JP's weakness.
However, Kakeru's adaptability and pressure were effective, resulting in a back-and-forth battle.
They each took a set, heading into the third set.

#CAPCOMCUP11 TOP16 現地の映像とともに振り返り‼️
翔選手(JP)とBlaz選手(リュウ)が1本ずつ取り合うも、先にリーチをかけたのはウィナーズ側の翔選手です🫴🏆️#ストリートファイター6 #スト6 #CC11 pic.twitter.com/PPjPxn5Twr

— Saiga NAK (@saiganak) March 10, 2025

In the third set, Blaz showed fearless offense, but Kakeru responded just in time.
Little by little, it seemed Kakeru was gaining the upper hand.
Kakeru won the third set and was on the verge of victory!

#CAPCOMCUP11 TOP16 現地から優勝の瞬間‼️
グランドファイナル翔選手(JP) vs. Blaz選手(リュウ)は3対1で翔選手の勝利✨
相撲の聖地・両国国技館で日本チャンピオンが誕生しました🎉#ストリートファイター6 #スト6 #CC11 pic.twitter.com/Ak0uJC4bIC

— Saiga NAK (@saiganak) March 10, 2025

By this point, the venue had a Kakeru-winning atmosphere.
Cheers erupted every time he landed a combo, and in the end, Kakeru won by making a comeback with just a sliver of health remaining!
A Japanese champion was brilliantly born at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

"CAPCOM CUP 11" Winner Is Kakeru!

The winner of "CAPCOM CUP 11" was decided to be Kakeru!
The venue was greatly excited by the first Japanese winner in 7 years!

― Please tell us your honest feelings right now.

Kakeru: I'm incredibly happy.

― Who do you want to share this victory and joy with?

Kakeru: My wife.

Awarding of Prize Panel from Mr. Haruhiro Tsujimoto

― Please give us a comment.

Kakeru: There are many things I want to talk about... From Day 1 to Day 3, I wasn't satisfied with my own play, but the results themselves went well, and I advanced to the main tournament.
After I went home yesterday, there was pressure from my own play and the tournament, and I had a fight with my wife... I made up with her this morning, and I feel like my play became uninhibited because of that.
Actually, I haven't even gotten a wedding ring yet, so I'm glad I got the money for it!

I'm really happy to have won "CAPCOM CUP 11," which was held in Japan. Thank you for your support!

Interview with Kakeru Right After Winning!

― Did you consider changing characters during this tournament?

Kakeru: I didn't intend to change characters from the beginning.
Every time I lost, I had the thought of changing characters, but I disliked the noise it caused, so I decided to stick with one.

― What were your feelings during the final match?

Kakeru: After all, it was held at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Japan, and I was the only Japanese player left while others were eliminated.
I was playing with the thoughts of those players and the people supporting me in Japan on my back.
I felt like I was going to throw up the whole time, but I endured and did my best!

― Please tell us your thoughts on playing against Blaz player.

Kakeru: Even though I had beaten Blaz player once, he had incredible momentum, so honestly, I didn't want to play against him.
Especially since Ryu was on fire, I knew he would come at me with the same intensity in the Grand Finals, but I believe I am good at movements that don't get caught up in the opponent's flow, so I fought with that in mind.

― Has getting married affected your career as a player?

Kakeru: It has really helped me with health management and mental care.
I think it's a big deal to be in a situation where I only have to focus on the competition.

― Winning the first Capcom Cup held in Japan. How does it feel again?

Kakeru: I guess this is what they mean by "having no words" (lol).
I'm truly filled with emotion.

― Please tell us your impression of Blaz player.

Kakeru: It's truly amazing that he can play like that at 15 years old.
I also struggled from Day 1 to Day 3, and I think it's normal not to be able to perform as usual on a big stage, but I felt like he was able to control his mentality in that regard as well.
When I beat Blaz player in the quarterfinals, I saw him looking down, but he quickly recovered with the support of those around him and made it to the finals.
I think he has a strong mentality.

― I think you had been practicing Mai a lot recently, what about that?

Kakeru: I wanted to use her.
However, that was one of the fights with my wife (lol).
In the end, as I said earlier, I decided to stick with just JP.

― You haven't had the chance to fight against Leshar player before, how was it today?

Kakeru: Of course, I think he's a strong player, but one thing was that the momentum was good today.
Another thing is that I think he wasn't in good form.
Of course, I don't know what will happen in the future, so he is a threat.

― Your only loss was to Tokido player.

Kakeru: It's frustrating...!
In the end, I couldn't beat Tokido-san.
I want to win the next time I have a chance.

― This time it was held at Ryogoku Kokugikan. How do you feel about the growth of the esports scene?

Kakeru: When I was a child, the public perception of games was cold.
I started playing fighting games in my second year of junior high school, and I'm grateful that the current fighting game scene exists because of the limited number of pros like Umehara-san and Tokido-san at that time who helped to build it up.
From now on, I hope I can help to build it up.

― UMA327 player retired from the competitive scene after winning "CAPCOM CUP X," but Kakeru...

Kakeru: I want to continue as before, as long as I can be in the competitive scene.

― What is CAPCOM CUP to you?

Kakeru: Hmm... that's difficult.
Personally, I think it's the biggest tournament, and I think winning the Capcom Cup is everyone's goal.
And! I'm happy that I was able to win here (Ryogoku Kokugikan).