True Gamers: Daigo “The Beast” Umehara

Once every blue moon a true gamer emerges, no scrap that, a great sportsman comes forth. One that has the success rate of Roger Federer and the presence of Mike Tyson. While this does not summarise his appearance or his personality, this relates more to his presence in any game he plays. Nicknamed “The Beast” for his shifts in momentum and success in fighting games, Daigo Umehara is considered one of the greatest gamers ever, including some of the most iconic moments ever witnessed in gaming.

Gaming from the early age of 11, Daigo has been hell bent on setting records and entering tournaments. He first began to gain a reputation in Tokyo around 1994 where he set a 286-win streak record in Vampire Hunter (Dark Stalkers) challenging gamers within the region. Then entered his first tournament in 1995 but failed to qualify, only to come back a few years down the line to emerge victor on the Vampire Hunter sequel (Vampire Savior). This is what set Daigo up to be what he is Today.

Most gamers have been to YouTube and seen the infamous clip of a fight between Ken and Chun Li in Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, in which the player controlling Ken does the impossible to comeback. That was the very day the nickname was given birth to Daigo Umehara as he beat all odds to comeback by doing something that required an extreme level of skill and knowledge. It was a testament to how hard of a gamer he is and worker.

The Best is unleashed.

Pretty magical this gamer is. He mainly games on the fighting genre but does not limit himself only to the Street Fighter franchise. He has been known to play Guilty Gear 2 religiously in the past. However Street Fighter is where most of his miracles accord. Speaking of miracles, this was another comeback he did playing Super Street Fighter II.

Daigo Comeback against Afrolegends

Most gamers probably started noticing him recently when he went one on one with Justin Wong in the evolution 2009 finals last year. One intense and gripping finale which seemed to be down to the wire, only for him to step it up a notch.

This man is not only a legend but an icon in the fighting game community. A man admired by all Street Fighter gamers including myself. A video on YouTube emerged of Daigo’s hands which has 75,000 views, yeah, crazy right? Maybe they take it a bit too far in admiring him because there’s a video of him on YouTube smiling… like wtf? It probably may be intriguing to witness as he tends to show no emotion at all when winning or losing, probably down to him being too experienced or simply just paying respect to his opponents.

Regardless, this man has been a gamer all his life and here are some honourable mentions of his previous achievements:

Capcom vs. SNK 2

• Super Battle Opera (2003) – 2nd [C-Guile/Chun-Li/Sagat]
• Super Battle Opera 2 (2004) – 5th [C-Ken/Guile/Sagat] with teammates Shiro [C-Yamazaki/Sagat/Rolento] and Dan [C-Ryu/Ken/Sagat]
• Evolution 2003 – 2nd [C-Guile/Cammy/Sagat]
• Absolution 2004 – 5th [C-Sagat/Ken/Guile]
• Evolution 2006 – 5th [A-Blanka/Vega/Bison]

Guilty Gear Series (XX, #Reload and Slash)

• Super Battle Opera (2003) – 3rd [Sol] with teammates Arisakashinya [Slayer] and Pachi [Faust]
• Evolution 2003 – 1st [Sol]
• Absolution 2004 – 1st [Sol]
• Evolution 2004 – 1st [Sol]
• Evolution 2006 – 2nd [Sol] with teammates RF [Faust] and Kindevu [Eddie]

Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike

• Evolution 2003 – 2nd [Ken SA3]
• Absolution 2004 – 1st [Ken SA3]
• Evolution 2004 – 2nd [Ken SA3]
• The 2nd a-cho Cup (2004) – 2nd [Ken SA3] with teammates K.O [Yun SA3] and Onanism [Urien SA3]
• Super Battle Opera 3 (2005) – 1st [Ken SA3] with teammate Ohnuki [Chun Li SA2]
• Cooperation Cup 4 (2005) – 1st with teammates Deshi KFG, Hayao, Boss, and Raoh
• Seasons Beatings IV (2009) – 4th [Ken SA3]

Super Street Fighter II Turbo

• Super Battle Opera (2003) – 1st [Ryu] with teammates Kurahashi [Guile] and Yng.Bro.Chun [Chun-Li]
• Evolution 2003 – 1st [Ryu]
• Absolution 2004 – 1st [Ryu, Balrog, O.Sagat, Zangief]
• Evolution 2004 – 1st [Ryu, Balrog, O.Sagat]
• X-Mania 7 – 2nd [Ryu] with teammates Yaya [Sagat] and Aniken [Ken]

Hyper Street Fighter II

• Evolution 2006 – 5th [ST Ryu]

Street Fighter Alpha 3

• Street Fighter Zero 3 National Championship 1998 – 1st [V-Akuma]
• Street Fighter Zero 3 World Championship 1998 – 1st [V-Akuma]
• Absolution 2004 – 3rd [X/A/V-Ryu]
• The 2nd a-cho Cup (2004) – 2nd [V-Ryu] with teammates D44 [V-Akuma] and West Coast Dhalsim [A-Dhalsim]

Capcom Fighting Jam

• Super Battle Opera 3 (2005) – 2nd [Urien/Guile] with teammate Dan [Ryu/Karin]

Super Street Fighter II Turbo: HD Remix

• Seasons Beatings IV Singles (2009) – 1st [Ryu]

Street Fighter IV

• Evolution 2009 – 1st [Ryu]
• Gods Garden (2009) – 3rd [Ryu]
• Shiozawa Cup (2009) – 1st [Ryu] with teammates Iyo [Dhalsim], Nyan [Ryu], Misse [Akuma], and Bonchan [Sagat] (Team Neko Punch)
• Seasons Beatings IV Singles (2009) – 1st [Ryu]
• Seasons Beatings IV 3v3 (2009) – 3rd [Ryu] with teammates Larry [Zangief] and Moses [Rufus] (Team “Daigo Company”)

Vampire Savior

• GAMEST Cup 1997 – 1st [Jedah]