Daigo Umehara says playing Street Fighter 6 is keeping him young at the age of 43.

We had a conversation with Daigo regarding his views on the present state of Street Fighter 6, during which he shared his unexpected source of motivation for maintaining his skills as an OG player.

Daigo ‘The Beast’ Umehara is widely associated with Street Fighter. He has been participating in the popular fighting game franchise for over two decades and has achieved an impressive amount of victories, including six EVO championships.

At EVO 2024, we had the opportunity to interview Daigo about his perspective on the current state of Street Fighter 6, now that Season 2 has been fully established.

Despite his status as an OG player, he still feels “young”and on his toes in the competitive scene thanks to the surge of younger talent. He even surprised us by admitting that the game is currently in a great spot.

“He expressed to us that the game has been in excellent condition and highly enjoyable since its initial release. He anticipates that with each update, the game will continue to improve. The balance of the game was already impressive during Season 1, and it has only gotten better in Season 2. It is truly remarkable that they have achieved such a level of equilibrium in just the second year.”

“When I turned professional during the Street Fighter IV era, I noticed that the player base consisted mostly of younger individuals, and the overall skill level has significantly increased since then. This trend continues with the release of SF6, where we are witnessing impressive performances from the younger generation.”

daigo-says-sf6-keeps-him-young-interview — Terence Rushin / Red Bull Content Pool

Daigo says the increasing amount of young talent in Street Fighter is keeping him on his toes.

Ever since its launch in 2016, Street Fighter V has seen a rise in dominance from younger players such as Punk, Big Bird, and AngryBird. This trend continued at EVO 2024, where 17-year-old Endingwalker surprised the community by making it to the Top 6 and ultimately placing 3rd in his debut appearance at EVO Las Vegas.

Daigo is closely monitoring players like these. During EVO, he placed 33rd out of 5,279 participants, as he was defeated by First Attack founder ‘Mono’ and ultimately eliminated by ‘Pugera’ on the Loser’s side. When asked about his performance, he humbly credited the younger fighters in the community for keeping him grounded.

The speaker responded, “Although this mindset is not exclusive to EVO, I have made it my own goal to constantly learn from the younger players I mentioned.”They explained that they make an effort to avoid becoming complacent or conceited, which has helped them feel rejuvenated and youthful, despite being 43 years old. This approach has allowed them to keep the game exciting and new every day.

Daigo’s impressive career speaks for itself. As one of the pioneers of esports in Japan, he has solidified his position as a prominent figure in the world of competitive gaming. Furthermore, he has amassed a strong online fanbase who eagerly tune in to watch his streaming content.

It’s not difficult to imagine what Daigo’s life will be like after he chooses to retire. With his extensive social media following and numerous brand partnerships, such as with Red Bull, he has a strong financial support system in case he leaves the competitive scene. However, he remains determined to continue playing for as long as possible.

He admitted that if he were to stop competing, creating content could potentially become a means of making a living. However, his preference is to continue competing for as long as possible, whether it be for another year or even just another day.

EVO Championship Series 2024 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States — Tobechi Ugwumba / Red Bull Content Pool

Daigo’s statement about younger players dominating the Street Fighter scene holds true following 25-year-old Punk’s viral win over Big Bird at EVO 2024.

As Street Fighter 6 enters its second season, it is clear that the level of competition has risen to new heights. Punk’s emotional win against Big Bird at EVO 2024 is proof of this, as well as Daigo’s acknowledgement that younger players are a formidable presence in the professional scene.

Despite the fact that Momochi, 38, and Nemo, 39, both reached the Top 6, it was the youngest member of the group who emerged victorious. Even Daigo acknowledges that they are solidifying their positions as the new leaders of Street Fighter’s competitive scene.