From forging himself in the shadow of a legend to winning the biggest Street Fighter tournament ever, there wasn’t much that could touch Yamaguchi at Evo Japan 2026.
Prior to Evo Japan kicking off this year, the event’s Street Fighter 6 bracket became the largest tournament for a single fighting videogame in history, with a final total of 7,168 players. Prior to this, the record was held by Street Fighter 6 at Evo Las Vegas 2023, which had 7,083 entrants, with Evo Japan 2025 taking the bronze medal at 6,661 players.
This achievement included an official Guiness World Record being handed to the Evo team prior to SF6’s top eight.
"We knew Evo Japan was going to be record-breaking, but we are honored to be recognized by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS,” Evo general manager Rick Thiher said. “It’s a true testament to the fighting game community with a passion for all of our titles, but specifically for Street Fighter 6.”
As for the event itself, nearly every top player from around the world filled the stacked Tokyo field of competitors, including MenaRD, who was gunning for his third straight Evo Japan title. But Yamaguchi fired off the blocks as hot as an enhanced Chou Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi on his way to a historic weekend.
Entering as a 62 seed, Yamaguchi proceeded to pilot his usual Mai to a perfect 13-0 record in the largest single fighting game bracket ever. In total, he went 29-7 across all of his sets, with only one going to a final game—that being his semifinals matchup against Hope’s Modern A.K.I, which sent almost everyone else packing.
After closing out Hope, Yamaguchi faced off against his ZETA DIVISION teammate Higuchi, taking the series 3-1 and moving on and waiting to see if he would be playing out the rematch or facing off against Punk, who was already climbing through the loser’s bracket.
Punk had an incredible weekend overall, despite getting dropped into the lower bracket right before top eight courtesy of Shuto. But, as we all know, Punk coming off of a loss is potentially more dangerous than him on a winning streak, which he proved directly after by taking six straight wins on his way to the finals.
Those wins included a sweep over Blaz and wins over NuckleDu, naooonn, and Hope, before closing things down with a 3-0 victory against Higuchi. His run would get cut there, however, as Yamaguchi kept the Evo Japan trophy local for the first time in Street Fighter 6 in a final 3-1 win.
“I never imagined I’d get to play on the stage I’ve always dreamed of—let alone win it! Honestly, it still hasn’t sunk in at all,” Yamaguchi said on X after his win. “But one thing I can say for sure is that I was able to focus on each match as it came and give it my all!”
Punk didn’t go home with just the runner-up medal and prize money though, since he got an invite to the Esports World Cup 2026 and proposed to his girlfriend at the event.
Almost completed the perfect day but @yamae1128 played amazing but in the end i still got the perfect prize Fiancé and EWC qualification! Thanks for all the support and sorry too @higuchi010914 i really wanted the win today and saw his mental was not so good today and wanted too… pic.twitter.com/BWYb4QPFI1
— Punk (@PunkDaGod) May 3, 2026
It has become an increasingly common sight to have talented players hone their skills against other top talent in online tournaments before slowly making more appearances at bigger offline events, such as Evo or Combo Breaker. Some of the modern FGC’s biggest names got their start in games like Street Fighter, Tekken, or Guilty Gear over the last six years, though Yamaguchi’s rise started a bit earlier than that.
Originally, Yamaguchi was one of several players taken on as "disciples" by legendary Street Fighter player Momochi back in 2016, alongside Higuchi, who finished third at the event this year, helping ZETA DIVISION to an incredible overall weekend. His post-match recap even featured a picture of him holding the trophy alongside Momochi and his wife, ChocoBlanka, who he says have “been like a second family” for him in the FGC.
Momochi went much more in-depth, sharing a long post about Yamaguchi and Higuchi, reminiscing on the then middle school kids who applied to his mentorship program at a time when they just wanted some guidance and to enjoy fighting games with friends.
最高の一枚😭📸 #ZETAWIN
— ZETA チョコブランカ🍫⚡️ (@chocoblanka) May 3, 2026
このあと21時からゼタスト配信です！ pic.twitter.com/gnGWMo1m80
“Back then, I dreamed that these two—who were the same age but had completely different personalities and playstyles—would inspire each other, form a rivalry, and push each other to improve. I even fantasized that if they ever made it to the finals on a big stage in the future, that would be the ultimate fulfillment of my hopes. Well, another dream has come true,” Momochi said. “Thank you so much for sticking with fighting games, and specifically Street Fighter, all this time. This is the best way you could have repaid me.”
The joy that is clear on Momochi and ChocoBlanka’s face after Yamaguchi’s win says it all. The kids are more than alright.
2026年5月3日 ももチョコEVO JAPANミラー配信
— 格ゲーマークリップス (@FGAMER_clips) May 3, 2026
教え子ヤマグチのEVO JAPAN初優勝に、二人そろって号泣してしまうももちチョコブランカ夫妻 pic.twitter.com/gV0HYGiLmD
