The 2021 Red Bull Kumite Kicks Off With A Legendary Roster
Most people don't know about the massive fighting game scene taking place just below the surface of the esports world. The fighting game audience has been around for decades, with matches being played every single day. One of the most popular fighting game franchises is Street Fighter, a series of fighting games from the 1980s. The series is one of Capcom's best selling, with people from all around the world playing the game.
It's no surprise that the 2020 instalment to the Street Fighter saga has made a big splash in the fighting game community. Street Fighter V: Champion Edition is the newest part of the Street Fighter franchise. The game is extremely popular with modern fighting game players, which has made it a new staple in fighting game competitions across the world.
On May 23, Street Fighter V will take to the stage once more in the 2021 Red Bull Kumite. This event will bring numerous world champions to the forefront of the esports world, allowing the world's best players to duke it out in front of a live audience. The 2021 Red Bull Kumite also marks the first large-scale in-person event in the fighting games community since the pandemic.
For this reason, many fans are anticipating the event, as it is the first of its kind in a long time. The fans aren't the only ones looking forward to the competitive event; the players are just as anxious to compete against one another over the weekend.
Click to enlargePlayers from around the world are taking the stage during the Red Bull Kumite. Several legendary players from Japan have taken the lengthy plane journey to London just to attend this competition. Some of the best players in the world are taking the stage this weekend, including Nathan "Mister Crimson" Massol, Hajime "Tokido" Taniguchi, Masato "Bonchan" Takahashi, Claude "Hurricane" Eric Diboti, and Olivier "Luffy" Hay are just some of the 16 players that will be making an appearance during the Red Bull Kumite this year.
Click to enlargeThe Red Bull Kumite will be a two-day event, spanning from May 22 to May 23. The first day will feature a Guilty Gear Strive showcase, whereas the second date features the Street Fighter V tournament.
Many of the players in the competition have been training hard for this event. Since most tournaments were online for the past year, the Red Bull Kumite is a welcome sight for many players. Over the past year, many have had the time to strengthen their strategies and prepare for LAN and physical events once again.
The most striking thing about Street Fighter V players is that there does not seem to be an age limit for the competition. Some players, such as the legendary player Tokido, are in their 30s. In modern esports, there is a preference for younger players in their teens or early 20s. Many people consider 24 or 25 to be a retirement age for most esports competitors. Many organisations believe that players' reflexes and vision stagnate or decline after these years, which is why there aren't very many players above 25 in esports.
Click to enlargeStreet Fighter V's competitive scene doesn't seem to mind if players are above 25 or even above 30. These players have just as fast of reflexes as a younger player does. Older players tend to be a bit more seasoned in their approach. They use their years of experience to make strategic plays, which can turn a tournament around within seconds.
Commentator Femi "F-Word" Adeboye is a perfect example of this philosophy. Before leaping to commentary, F-Word was a prominent semi-professional player in the Street Fighter community. F-Word discovered his passion for broadcasting, which he pursued in place of his competitive career.
His knowledge of the game helped him narrate plays before they even occurred in the game, which earned him an excellent reputation in the Street Fighter community. F-Word has seen countless key plays in his lengthy broadcasting career. He knows the importance of good reflexes in Street Fighter V first-hand. Even though many players are not as young as some esports professionals nowadays, they are still able to dominate at events and perform for their fans.
Click to enlargeMany players in the Red Bull Kumite also hold prestigious titles. For example, both Luffy and Tokido hold EVO victories under their belts. Luffy won the competition in 2014, while Tokido won in 2017. Key wins like these should not be overlooked, as they show the strength of these legendary players.
With the weekend just around the corner, fans are hyped for the Red Bull Kumite. Players are just as excited, with many looking forward to the casual interactions with their peers and behind-the-scenes matches. Fans are excited to see their favourite personalities on the same stage once more. The 2021 Red Bull Kumite is shaping up to be much more than just a fighting game tournament; it is a sign that competitions will soon be returning to normal.
Images via Redbull | Capcom