EVO Japan 2024 presented by ROHTO (hereafter referred to as "EVO Japan 2024"), one of the largest fighting game festivals in Japan, has been a great success with all of the main tournament titles both onsite and distributed, but one title in particular has attracted a lot of attention since it was announced. The main tournaments have all been a big hit both onsite and via streaming media, but the one that has drawn the most attention since its announcement is " Street Fighter III 3rd STRIKE Fight for the future " (hereafter referred to as "STO III 3rd"). The winner of the tournament held in the arcade cabinet was...?
The champion of 2021 will be decided in "Strike III 3rd"!
Street Fighter III 3rd", which started operation in 1999, is the final version of "Street Fighter III" and has been ported to consumer platforms, but it is still a timeless classic that is played in game arcades all over Japan. It was also chosen as the main tournament title for EVO 2024, as it is the 20th anniversary of EVO 2004, the Guinness World Record for the "Backwater Reversal" that gave birth to the game.
The finalists are...
- Boss
- Ucc
- GS SHO (SHO)
- Game Plaza 21st Century Invincible Gorilla (hereinafter referred to as "Invincible Gorilla")
- Maikeru player
- yakkun player
.......6 players (names are based on start.gg ).
Of the six players in the final, four are Yun and two are Chun-Li, a character choice. This is a charming choice, as the title is 25 years old and has matured over the years.
SHO and Boss advanced to the Grand Final after kicking out all of the past 3rd round warriors!
The best part of "Strike III 3rd" is blocking. Light moves will give the opponent a chance to counterattack through blocking, so every move is a game of tactics.
#EvoJapan2024 STREET FIGHTER III 3rd STRIKE: Fight for the Future部門、優勝はGS|SHO選手(@3rdSHO)👑
優勝した瞬間を収めたのでご査収ください！ pic.twitter.com/WDptOH4gnj
— Saiga NAK (@saiganak) April 28, 2024
From the preliminary round to the grand final, only one set was dropped. The winner was SHO, who won the tournament with his speedy and fierce attack and defense!
The winner, SHO, received a trophy, one million yen, and a year's supply of "Roth V5! Congratulations!
Saiga NAKQ. How long have you been playing "STO III 3rd"?
SHO: I started playing in junior high and high school, so I've been playing for about 23 years.
Q. What motivates you to continue playing for 23 years?
SHO: "Sto III 3rd" has a blocking system, so there is no right way to play. I think this is one of the factors that have kept me playing the game.
Q. What did you think when it was announced that "STO III 3rd" would be the main title of EVO Japan 2024?
SHO: I wondered what they were thinking (laughs). "It's really going to happen! I asked Mr. Matsuda, the head of the tournament management committee, directly on line (laughs).
Q. Where do you usually practice?
SHO: I practice at three locations: Game Newton Oyama, Nishi-Nippori Game Spot Versus, and Shinjuku Sportsland Honkan. I used to practice with Boss-san and Maikeru-san.
Q. "Sto III 3rd" has been ported to the consumer market, but you practice at a game center, right?
SHO: The CRTs on the console have less latency than the LCD monitors, so we would practice at the arcade for real practice.
実はEVOエントリーしてから本番までの練習日は全部SHOと対戦していた
他のメンバーの予定が付かず6時間2人だけで休みなく対戦した日もあった
SHOは優勝ある！って本人にもずっと話してて実際そうなったがファイナルに戦えて良かったわ
いつも通りスポランでまたやろう@3rdSHO https://t.co/pOQaKhIK3r— ボス (@neobosu7) April 29, 2024
Q. What do you do with the prize money?
SHO: I love to drink, but I have been sober for EVO Japan 2024. I want to buy good drinks for everyone who came along to practice with me!
Saiga NAKQ. What are your goals for the future?
SHO: First of all, "EVO 2024". I think the players will change drastically in the U.S. I hope to play in EVO 2024. I know a lot of strong players who didn't make it this time, so I hope to beat them and win the championship! After that, I'm going to start playing "Street Fighter 6" since I got the device.
Q. You have never played before?
SHO: I never touched it. It was recommended to me by others, and I thought it would be fun, so I'd like to give it a try.
EVO Japan 2024 3rd部門
優勝したぞーーー！
応援してくれた方々ありがとうございます！🙇♂️
これからも3rdは続きます！😤#EVOJ2024 #EVOJapan2024 pic.twitter.com/SD3KrTy44O
— SHO (@3rdSHO) April 28, 2024
Sorry, this article is only available in Japanese. at the moment.
![EVO Japan 2024] KOF XV Winner is X Gear Brook ET! He beats Xiaohai, the absolute champion!](https://i0.wp.com/saiganak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/evojapan-2024-kof-xv-tournament-final-00-150x150.jpg "EVO Japan 2024] KOF XV Winner is X Gear Brook ET! He beats Xiaohai, the absolute champion!")