Games

73-year-old Panda main wins an all-elderly Tekken 8 tournament in Japan

BBG News

It’s quite possible that these elderly individuals from Japan possess skills equal to or surpassing those of your most seasoned Tekken-playing friends. Impressive, isn’t it?

In a senior-only tournament held in Japan, Yoshie Murabe, aged 73 and known for her iconic character Panda, triumphs over fellow 73-year-old competitor Sadayuki Kato, who played as King, to secure the first place title in Tekken 8.

To offer senior gaming enthusiasts in Japan a chance to sample competitive esports, Care Esports organized a competition that welcomes participants from retirement homes to participate in a Tekken 8 tournament.

In this tournament, a total of eight individuals took part, their ages spanning from 67 to a remarkable 93 years. Remarkably, the oldest competitors, Sanae Hattori and Yasuko Mori, both aged 93, met in the opening round. However, it was Yasuko Mori who emerged victorious with her Steve Fox move.

A well-broadcasted Tekken 8 Tournament for seniors

Described as the 11th Amigo Club Cup, the Tekken 8 senior tournament was broadcasted live on YouTube. The livestream featured commentators and interview segments, offering viewers an insight into the thoughts and emotions of the elderly players, mirroring a significant esports event in many aspects.

In a thrilling final showdown, the battle between Murabe and Kato was nothing short of dramatic. This nail-biting confrontation culminated in an intense rubber game where, despite being less healthy than his opponent, Murabe seized the victory with strategic hits and a perfectly timed Rage Art.

In one of her post-battle chats, interviewers questioned Murabe about her choice to play Panda, a character seldomly chosen in the game. When someone nearby wondered if it was due to pandas being adorable, she just smiled and gave a nod in agreement.

Age is just a number in esports

It’s quite intriguing to observe that even though the global esports scene and the gaming industry are flourishing, it remains captivating to witness seniors participating in contemporary popular video games.

It’s clear that the gaming tournament in Japan isn’t the sole demonstration of elderly individuals also finding joy in competitive video games.

This way, we maintain the original meaning while making it more conversational and easy to understand for a wider audience.

In the game Counter-Strike, there’s a team known as the Silver Snipers, comprised of members who are all at least 66 years old. Last year, Valorant introduced its first senior team, the Matagi Snipers, which features players with an average age of 67.

Of course, I can’t forget about Shirley Curry, also known as the “Skyrim Grandma.” She shot to fame by sharing her Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim gameplay videos. With more senior-friendly gaming tournaments and platforms popping up, it’s no wonder this list is just getting started!

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2025-07-17 18:10

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