Daigo

Daigo Umehara (born May 19, 1981 in Tokyo, Japan) is widely regarded as one of the most iconic figures in the competitive fighting‑game scene. From a young age he was fascinated by arcade cabinets, and by the late 1990s he had already mastered Street Fighter Alpha and Marvel vs. Capcom 2, quickly rising through the ranks of local tournaments. His breakthrough came in 2004 at the Evolution Championship Series, where he produced the legendary “Evo Moment #37”—a flawless Parry sequence against Justin Wong that has been replayed countless times and cemented his nickname “The Beast”. Over the next decade Daigo continued to dominate events across the world, claiming multiple Evo titles in Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, Street Fighter IV, and Ultra Street Fighter IV, while also branching into Tekken and Guilty Gear competitions. Beyond tournament play, he has cultivated a massive online presence through his YouTube channel, Twitch streams, and the Daigo Pod podcast, where he shares insights on game mechanics, training regimens, and the evolving esports landscape. He has authored two books—The Art of Fighting and Daigo Umehara's S Strategy—which offer a rare glimpse into the mind of a champion and have inspired a new generation of players. In addition to his competitive achievements, Daigo has served as an ambassador for the fighting‑game community, collaborating with developers on balance patches and promoting the sport in mainstream media. His influence extends to mentoring younger talent, often providing coaching sessions and participating in charity events that leverage his fame for social good. Although he keeps his personal life largely private, it is known that he married in 2011 and resides in Japan with his family, continuing to compete, stream, and contribute to the global gaming culture.