"Street Fighter League: Pro-JP 2024 Division S Episode 3" Results and Recap!

The Street Fighter League: Pro-JP 2024 event, which is currently underway, held its Division S Episode 3 on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
A total of three matches took place in Division S Episode 3: "Nagoya NTPOJA" vs. "Saishunkan Sol Kumamoto," "Good 8 Squad" vs. "DetonatioN FocusMe," and "Shinobism Gaming" vs. "FUKUSHIMA IBUSHIGIN."

Street Fighter League: Pro-JP 2024 Division S Episode 3 Wraps Up!

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On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, the "Street Fighter League: Pro-JP 2024 Division S Episode 3" delivered three extremely heated matches that were true fierce battles.

MATCH1: Nagoya NTPOJA (AWAY) vs. Saishunkan Sol Kumamoto (HOME)

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First Match: KEI.B (M. Bison) (Classic) vs. Umehara (Akuma) (Classic)

Umehara attempted to control the match using Gou Hadoken, but KEI.B not only avoided getting hit but also landed a counter at a crucial moment, seizing the opportunity for a brilliant victory.

Second Match: Otani (Ken) (Classic) vs. Higuchi (Guile) (Classic)

In a match between two players who were once teammates and pushed each other to their limits, Otani's offense and Higuchi's defense made for a truly evenly matched battle.
In the final round, with both players on the verge of defeat, Higuchi calmly checked his Drive Gauge, landed a Drive Reversal, and then a Sonic Boom to secure a hard-fought victory.

Third Match: Tachikawa (Manon) (Classic) vs. Fuudo (Ed) (Classic)

Tachikawa, using Manon for the first time instead of his usual Ed, focused on aggressive, high-risk plays, but Fuudo continued to evade his attacks and gain the upper hand.
When he was cornered, Tachikawa called a timeout, and it was expected that he would switch his character back to Ed, but he surprisingly decided to continue using Manon.
This astonished the commentators.
Tachikawa's continued bold choices gradually cornered Fuudo, leading to a comeback victory for Tachikawa.

Post-Match Interview with KEI.B (Translated from Japanese)

Q1. You seem to be in great form this season. Do you think there's anything in particular that's been a key factor for you?

KEI.B: Last season, we were eliminated in the 1st Stage with a 10-point difference. In the second half, there was a stretch of matches where we kept thinking, "If someone had just won one more match..." so this season I've been approaching every single match from the start with a strong awareness that each one connects to our final ranking. I think that mindset might be what's working.

Q2. You are competing as the team leader this season. What is that like?

KEI.B: Last season, Akira worked so hard as the leader. Watching him, I really felt the importance of responsibility and team building. I've been conscious of that myself, but I also feel that my teammates are responding well to it. I'm truly grateful to have formed a team this season with members who are all aiming for the top together.

Q3. How do you feel about your first match today, looking back?

KEI.B: We were the away team, but I expected Umehara to be the one to come out. Since my prediction was right, it put me at ease. We've fought each other a lot in practice, so we know each other's playstyles well. Because of that, I was able to go into the match with the mentality of simply doing what I practiced, which allowed me to play calmly.

Q4. There are rumors in the community that you are the best M. Bison player in Japan. What is your impression of that?

KEI.B: Honestly, I'm pretty confident. However, I want to be able to say I'm number one only after I've delivered solid results.

Q5. In the third match, Tachikawa's success with Manon seemed to show that the strategy worked. What was the thinking behind your team's order this time?

KEI.B: Honestly, I think Saishunkan Sol Kumamoto is the strongest team in Division S. Especially Fuudo; I think he's the strongest in Japan. So, to be honest, I thought the third match would be difficult, and we had discussed aiming for a solid 10 points in the first and second matches. Tachikawa is a reliable presence in terms of strategy as well as his great gameplay, as he suggests ideas that I wouldn't have thought of on my own.

Q6. Finally, please share your thoughts on the next Episode.

KEI.B: Based on the fans' predictions, I think Nagoya NTPOJA's evaluation was a little low, but after Episode 3, we are in 2nd place. We want to ride this momentum and aim for 1st place rather than just getting through in 3rd, so please continue to cheer for us.

MATCH2: Good 8 Squad (AWAY) vs. DetonatioN FocusMe (HOME)

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First Match: Gachikun (Rashid) (Classic) vs. Itabashi Zangief (Zangief) (Classic)

While the match started with a tense back-and-forth, Gachikun's precise punishes and corner pressure eventually put Itabashi Zangief on the defensive after Gachikun won the first BATTLE. In the end, Gachikun overwhelmingly defeated Itabashi Zangief using Rashid's Super Arts Lv.2 Ysaar as a finisher.

Second Match: Kawano (Akuma) (Classic) vs. Nauman (Ken) (Classic)

Kawano, who was celebrating his birthday that day, countered Nauman's attacks with invincible moves to seize control of the match's pace. He continued to control the match, capping off his birthday with a brilliant victory.

Third Match: Pugera (M. Bison) (Classic) vs. Machabo (Akuma) (Classic)

Machabo, who won the first BATTLE with what could only be described as perfect ground game and spacing, and Pugera, who countered with a read that capitalized on M. Bison's high offensive power, fought a fierce battle that went all the way to a full set, full round.
Machabo pushed Pugera to the brink, but Pugera landed a perfectly timed anti-air attack to secure the victory and win the fierce battle.

Post-Match Interview with Pugera (Translated from Japanese)

Q1. You are 2-0 and seem to be in great form this season. Is there any particular reason for that?

Pugera: I'm currently using M. Bison, but I originally had no intention of changing my character. But my teammate Gachikun pushed me to do it, saying "I think M. Bison suits you," which was rare coming from him, especially with the SFL opening so soon. I felt that it's important to be seen that way by others, so I switched to M. Bison. I've felt since the previous game that it's important not just to have a strong character, but one that fits you well.

Q2. This season, the M. Bison vs. Akuma matchup happens frequently in the SFL. What are your thoughts on it?

Pugera: It's rare to see a matchup where both sides are so competitive with each other. Because of that, I think it's a matchup that looks different to different people. Each player has different points where they think they can win. I think that the players who can organize their thoughts on what works against the opponent's character and what makes them feel comfortable fighting are the ones who tend to win this matchup.
As for myself, not just against Akuma, I have specific criteria for when to use Psycho Crusher Attack and when to use Backfist Combo.

Q3. What's the atmosphere like on the team this season?

Pugera: We've had a lot of communication with our new teammate YHC-Mochi for a while, and he has a particularly deep connection with Gachikun. We didn't have to go through the "nice to meet you" phase, so we were able to practice right from the start with trust in each other's strategies and skills.

Q4. Finally, please share your thoughts on the next Episode.

Pugera: The next opponent is Nagoya NTPOJA, and I personally want to win with a clean sweep, so I'm aiming for a decisive victory. I will do my best.

MATCH3: Shinobism Gaming (AWAY) vs. FUKUSHIMA IBUSHIGIN (HOME)

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First Match: Yamaguchi (Ed) (Classic) vs. Cosa (Ken) (Classic)

Cosa, who had a brilliant victory against Ed in the previous Episode, was once again put up against an Ed player, Yamaguchi.
From the start, Cosa took the lead with his playstyle, showing his deep knowledge of Ed's weaknesses.
Yamaguchi fought back with Super Arts Lv.2 Psycho Cannon, but was unable to break through Cosa's defense, and Cosa secured a brilliant victory in a straight set.

Second Match: Fujimura (Akuma) (Classic) vs. Sasamo (Ed) (Classic)

The match between Fujimura, who attacked using Akuma's Demon Raid, and Sasamo, who flawlessly executed Dream Combos launched from Ed's Super Arts Lv.2 Psycho Cannon, saw BATTLEs being traded back and forth, dragging the match into a final BATTLE.
In the end, Sasamo, who won key mind games and landed five Dream Combos in a single game, came out on top.

Third Match: Momochi (Ed) (Classic) vs. Sho (Akuma) (Classic)

In the third match, a battle between the two team leaders, Momochi's overwhelming defense, which even the commentators praised, countered Sho's incredible mix-ups. Momochi took the lead in the match and won 3 consecutive BATTLEs, keeping his hopes of an extended match alive.

Extended Match: Momochi (Ed) (Classic) vs. Sho (Akuma) (Classic)

The extended match, which was also a battle between the leaders, was a quick BO1 showdown. While it went to the third round, Sho secured the victory by landing a well-timed jump-in attack, getting revenge for the third match.

Post-Match Interview with Sho (Translated from Japanese)

Q1. First, congratulations on your team's first victory. You came close to victory in the previous Episodes. Could you tell us about the journey so far?

Sho: In Episode 1 against Saishunkan Sol Kumamoto, Sasamo and Cosa were on the team that had helped me, so I honestly thought, "I wish we could've faced them a little later. Or better yet, on the Grand Final stage in a different Division." The match itself was very good, but in the extended match, I unfortunately lost to Fuudo. After the third match, I felt like the opponent's team might have gotten some good advice, and since it was my first time participating in the SFL, I felt like I lost because of how I managed my time.

In Episode 2 against Nagoya NTPOJA, Cosa won the first match with a great performance. I also won in the second match after my teammates advised me that I was being too cautious about KEI.B's invincible reversal attacks. This advice allowed me to change my movements and win the second match. This was another example of what makes the SFL so interesting.
Even though we lost the third match, the match itself was very good, and I felt it was a great experience for Sasamo to be able to compete as the third player, especially since people often say, 'This is Sho's team.'
In the extended match, I thought I would have a higher win rate if I, who can handle a wide range of situations, went out. However, Tachikawa was able to adapt to me, and since it was a one-game match, I lost.

In today's match against Shinobism Gaming, I had defeated Momochi in another tournament, so I had decided that I would go out if he came. I think they also expected that I would come out, but he still chose to go out as the third player, so I thought he must have been very confident and prepared.
Sasamo uses Ed on our team, and I was also confident in fighting against Ed, but I felt like I lost because of how well they had studied our team. In particular, I remember a long-distance jump-in attack being the deciding factor that led to my loss in the third match.

My teammates also recognized that my jump-in attack against the Gou Hadoken had been read, so I was able to change my movements and win the extended match. I think this was another moment that showed the fun of the SFL.

Q2. Sasamo's Ed faced Fujimura's Akuma, and your Akuma faced Momochi's Ed. What was the strategy behind these decisions?

Sho: Our team's style is to have the player most confident in the matchup go out, and I don't think there's a clear advantage or disadvantage in the Akuma vs. Ed matchup. Sasamo faced Fujimura because Sasamo was confident against Akuma, and as I practiced with Sasamo, I felt that he could win, so I sent him out.

Q3. As a first-time participant in the SFL, what are your thoughts and ambitions for FUKUSHIMA IBUSHIGIN?

Sho: We're a relatively young team, so I honestly think there might be some people who don't give us much credit, but looking back at up to Episode 3, each of my teammates has gotten good results, so I think we're going to start being watched closely. We managed to get a winning record in this Episode, but we won't let our guard down and will continue to build on our victories. And of course, as a first-time participant, I want to win the championship.

Q4. Finally, please share your thoughts on the next Episode.

Sho: Our next opponent, DetonatioN FocusMe, seems to be a team with strong unity, especially with Itabashi Zangief at the center. I think it will be a test of our team's strength, and I'd like to show off FUKUSHIMA IBUSHIGIN's team power and unity.

Standings After Division S Episode 3

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The standings at the end of Episode 3 were: 1st place "Good 8 Squad," 2nd place "Nagoya NTPOJA," 3rd place "Saishunkan Sol Kumamoto," 4th place "FUKUSHIMA IBUSHIGIN," 5th place "Shinobism Gaming," and 6th place "DetonatioN FocusMe."

Next "Division F Episode 3" Starts at 6:40 PM on Friday, September 6, 2024!

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From 6:40 PM on Friday, September 6, 2024, "Street Fighter League: Pro-JP 2024 Division F Episode 3" will be streamed on the Official CAPCOM Fighters JP YouTube channel and Twitch channel.
The matchups are as follows:

• MATCH1: Hiroshima TEAM iXA (AWAY) vs. Crazy Raccoon (HOME)
• MATCH2: CAG OSAKA (AWAY) vs. Yogibo REJECT (HOME)
• MATCH3: VARREL (AWAY) vs. Belc FAV gaming (HOME)

For more updates and details on the ongoing "Street Fighter League," please check the "Street Fighter League" official website or the CAPCOM eSports official X account (@CAPCOM_eSports).

#SFリーグ Division S 第3節

ご視聴ありがとうございました‼️

本日の試合はYouTubeチャンネル「CAPCOM Fighters JP」にて公開されますので是非ご覧ください✨

🔥Division S 第3節 リザルト🔥

【MATCH1】NOJ 30-10 SS熊本

【MATCH2】G8S 40-0 DFM

【MATCH3】SNB 20-25 IBSG… pic.twitter.com/zql8E9cdee

— CAPCOM eSports (@CAPCOM_eSports) September 3, 2024