Player overview text

In 2024 and 2025, Daigo Umehara, one of the most iconic players in the fighting game community (FGC), has several notable events lined up. He continues to make his mark in major tournaments like Evo, with a recent focus on Street Fighter 6, which has become one of the most popular titles at these events. Evo 2024, held in July, celebrated Daigo and his longtime rival, Justin Wong, with special awards for their contributions to the FGC​(Wicked Good Gaming)​.

In 2025, Daigo will be part of the Evo Awards in February, an exciting new event that will celebrate the achievements of legendary players in the FGC, including meet-and-greet opportunities, exhibition matches, and more. This event in Los Angeles will be the first of its kind​(Wicked Good Gaming).

As for his biggest competitors, players like Punk and Big Bird are major threats in the current Street Fighter 6 scene. Both players had a strong showing at Evo 2024, with Punk taking home the championship title​. Daigo will likely face these formidable opponents in upcoming tournaments like the Capcom Pro Tour 2024 and the prestigious Capcom Cup 11 at the beginning of 2025​.

Playing career: 1997–present

Team: Team Beast

• 6× EVO champion (2003–2004, 2009–2010)

• 2× SBO champion (2003, 2005)

Daigo Umehara, aka “The Beast,” the man, the myth, the absolute legend of the fighting game world. If you don’t know who Daigo is, you’ve probably never seen competitive gaming at its finest — because this guy is to Street Fighter what Mario is to platformers. A living icon.

Who is Daigo Umehara? Born May 19, 1981, Daigo first dipped his toes into arcade fighting games in the early '90s, and since then, he’s been delivering pixelated beatdowns to anyone brave (or foolish) enough to face him. His specialty? The "Street Fighter" series. You’ve heard of "The Beast," but if you're not familiar with his most iconic moment, let’s talk about EVO Moment 37. That 2004 "Street Fighter III: Third Strike" match against Justin Wong where Daigo performed an impossible 15-hit parry, turning the tides of gaming history in his favor. Not just a victory—it was a statement. He became the Bruce Lee of button mashing.

Fast forward to 2024, Daigo’s still out there, pummeling anyone standing in his way. Even with a younger crowd flooding the esports scene, The Beast is evergreen. Like some kind of fighting-game Obi-Wan Kenobi, he’s a veteran Jedi schooling young Padawans in the ways of Street Fighter sorcery.