Daigo Umehara

Daigo Umehara, popularly known as 'The Beast', is a Japanese professional gamer and esports player, born on May 19, 1981, in Aomori Prefecture. He is globally recognized as one of the greatest players in the history of fighting games. Umehara began his professional career with Street Fighter and rapidly rose to prominence due to his exceptional skill and strategic gameplay.

Umehara is known for his outstanding reflexes, decision-making ability, and versatility across several games. He has won numerous individual awards and holds multiple records, such as the most wins in EVO Championship Series history.

Off the field, Umehara is also recognized for his sportsmanship and influence, inspiring millions of gamers worldwide.

Early Career

• Beginnings: Umehara started his gaming journey in the arcades of Tokyo. His breakthrough moment came when he won the national Street Fighter Zero 3 tournament.

Street Fighter IV

• Global Recognition: Daigo gained international fame with Street Fighter IV. His performance at the 2004 EVO Championship, where he perfectly parried a sequence of attacks from Justin Wong's Chun-Li, is considered one of the greatest moments in esports history.

Street Fighter V

• Continued Success: Umehara continued to dominate in Street Fighter V, winning numerous tournaments and maintaining his status as one of the top players.

Guilty Gear Strive

• Expanding Horizons: In addition to Street Fighter, Umehara has showcased his skills in other fighting games, like Guilty Gear Strive, proving his versatility and adaptability.

International Tournaments

• Debut: Made his international debut in the late 1990s.

Achievements:

• EVO Championship Series: Winner multiple times.
• Capcom Cup: Finalist multiple times.
• Umehara holds the record for the most EVO victories and is recognized as a dominant player in international fighting game tournaments.

• Primary Game: Known primarily for his mastery of Street Fighter.
• Skills: Celebrated for his exceptional reflexes, strategic decision-making, and adaptability across multiple games.

• Family: Details about Umehara's personal life are kept private.
• Philanthropy: Umehara is known for his sportsmanship and has used his platform to promote the growth and positive aspects of esports.

• Daigo Umehara is revered not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his sportsmanship, strategic gameplay, and longevity in professional gaming. His impact on the esports world and his status as an icon extend beyond the gaming community, inspiring millions of fans around the globe.

Most Wins in EVO Championship Series:

• Multiple victories

Capcom Cup:

• Multiple finalist placings

Most Successful Street Fighter Player:

• Consistently ranked among the top players globally

Books

• Umehara, D. (2012) The Willpower to Keep Winning. Japan: Diamond, Inc.

Websites

• Capcom: Information about Daigo Umehara's career and achievements. Available at: https://www.capcom.co.jp
• EVO Championship Series: Details about Umehara's victories at EVO. Available at: https://www.evo.gg

Articles

• Kotaku: Daigo Umehara: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.kotaku.com/esports/daigo-umehara
• ESPN: Daigo Umehara's career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.espn.com/esports/daigo-umehara

Interviews and Documentaries

• The Will to Keep Winning (2016): This documentary provides a detailed look at Umehara's life and career, featuring interviews with his peers and rivals.
• Red Bull: Various interviews and features on Daigo Umehara, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.redbull.com