Gachikun at Evo 2024: “We’ve deepened our connections and forged bonds of friendship through the shared language of Street Fighter.”

At Evo 2024 in Las Vegas, I was part of the thrilled crowd that gathered from every corner of the globe. We rooted for our favorite players, reminisced with old friends, and challenged each other for the coveted gold. Among the passionate attendees was Tsunehiro “Gachikun” Kanamori, a renowned Capcup champion and Red Bull eSports athlete. Amidst the electrifying atmosphere in the arena, I had the unique opportunity to chat with Gachikun exclusively for esports.gg. We discussed his experiences at Evo, the fighting game community (FGC), how he prepares for tournaments, and much more.

In addition, he offered some unique phrases for individuals unfamiliar with the Street Fighter series. Feel free to check out the entire interview further down! Many thanks to translators Shino Sakurai and Greg Moore for making this conversation possible.

Gachikun talks Evo 2024 and forging bonds through Street Fighter

As I, Gachikun, approached Evo once more in 2022 with the pandemic slowly fading away, I could feel the familiar excitement bubbling within me. Evo had always felt like an international gathering, and being a part of it was an experience I cherished. Upon my return, I was greeted not just by friends but also by rivals, who made me feel at home. This heartwarming welcome underscored the profound connections and friendships built around our common passion for Street Fighter.

“The players I had previously competed against as rivals warmly embraced me and made me feel like one of their own,” Gachikun shared with esports.gg. “This heartwarming experience showed me that despite language barriers, we’ve built strong friendships through our common passion for Street Fighter.”

Red Bull, as a prominent brand, contributed to bringing the community together, he added. Though esports has started gaining recognition in Japan, players often lack widespread acknowledgement. Consequently, being endorsed by such an international brand lends credibility to the scene and affirms everyone’s dedication.

As a gamer, when I share with my peers or encounter new acquaintances that I’m sponsored by Red Bull, their response is often filled with awe and admiration. “Wow, that’s incredible!” they exclaim. This instant recognition of my status not only underscores Red Bull’s global reputation but also serves as powerful validation for the esports community. The fact that a respected brand like Red Bull supports us adds legitimacy to what we do and makes our pursuits seem more significant to those outside our circle. I can’t help but feel proud and invigorated by this connection.

Gachikun shares mindset and vision at Evo 2024

Gachikun shared his tournament readiness routine as well. He begins preparing approximately six months ahead of time. But his preparation isn’t limited to just practicing the game. Instead, he visualizes himself as a victor.

He explained to esports.gg that when he uses the term “preparation,” he’s visualizing himself triumphing at finals, standing on the awards stage, and being handed the first-place trophy as a regular part of his daily mindset. However, his actual training remains unchanged for Evo; it’s the same routine as ever.

In each new update for Street Fighter 6, there come fresh elements and skills to learn. The Modern mode, specifically, has drawn a large number of novice gamers. Consequently, he is determined to keep up-to-date with this mode in order to guide new players through the experience.

Up until now, Kawano was the person I’d been mentoring, Gachikun explained when queried about it. Since we were teammates, I shared more than just gaming tips with him. I also imparted the importance of professionalism and building a solid foundation for life. Younger players might find me intimidating and seldom ask for guidance, but when requested, I provide advice from my personal experiences. Lately, Ryukichi, who is also from Hiroshima and has recently turned pro, has been the one I’ve had such discussions with.

Gachikun shares thoughts on Daigo and more

As a dedicated gamer, I often reflect on the players who inspire me the most. Among them, Daigo Umehara stands out as a true legend in the gaming community.

As a huge fan of Daigo Umehara, I can’t deny the impact he’s had on all of us in the esports community. His influence is undeniable, and no one can argue against it. Yet, even though we can’t surpass him, we must still try.

Instead of goodbyes, the player strongly recommended that people check out Street Fighter 6. With its user-friendly design and enjoyable gameplay, it’s definitely worth a try.

“There are surely individuals who haven’t experienced the thrill of Street Fighter 6 yet,” he remarked. “I promise you, it’s even more enjoyable than you can imagine. With its Modern mode, all it takes is one button press to unleash spectacular special moves and instantly understand what makes fighting games so engaging. I invite you to begin with Modern mode and discover the delight of Street Fighter 6 for yourself!”