ZETA DIVISION's Yamaguchi Wins 'EVO Japan 2026' Street Fighter Division! Secures Qualification for 'CAPCOM CUP 13' and 'EWC 2026'.
Yamaguchi, a member of the 'ZETA DIVISION' STREET FIGHTER division, has won the 'EVO Japan 2026' Street Fighter 6 division, marking the first time a Japanese player has achieved this feat. This victory earns him qualification for 'CAPCOM CUP 13' and 'Esports World Cup 2026'.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 08:17
- 🔍 Collected: May 3, 2026 at 23:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 3, 2026 at 23:34 (2 min after Collected)
GANIMEDE Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Daisuke Nishihara), which operates the professional esports team 'ZETA DIVISION', is pleased to announce that Yamaguchi, a member of the team's STREET FIGHTER division, has won the Street Fighter 6 division at 'EVO Japan 2026', a festival for fighting game players held at Tokyo Big Sight.
As a result, Yamaguchi has secured qualification for 'CAPCOM CUP 13' and 'Esports World Cup 2026', the ultimate stages for determining the world's best.
What is 'EVO Japan'?
'EVO Japan' is Japan's largest international fighting game tournament, held since 2018 as a spin-off from 'EVO (Evolution Championship Series)', one of the world's largest fighting game festivals.
As the forefront of the competitive fighting game scene in Japan, many fighting game players from both Japan and abroad gather to engage in fierce battles.
At last year's 'EVO Japan 2025', popular titles such as 'Street Fighter 6', 'GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-', and 'THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV' were featured. Furthermore, it became an international tournament with over 1,000 players participating from more than 60 countries and regions, not just Japanese players.
Yamaguchi achieves a historic first Japanese victory in 'EVO Japan 2026' Street Fighter 6 division!
In the 'EVO Japan 2026' Street Fighter 6 division, Yamaguchi rapidly climbed the tournament ladder, advancing to the dream stage of Top 8, surpassing his personal best. After taking the lead against Hope, there were dangerous moments where he was caught up, but he brilliantly won and advanced to the Winners Final.
In the Winners Final, he faced his teammate Higuchi. He emerged victorious from a close match where neither gave an inch.
Punk and Yamaguchi heading to the Grand Final
In the Grand Final against Punk, who had overwhelming momentum, Yamaguchi secured a 3-1 victory with his exceptional composure and observational skills, claiming the championship.
Yamaguchi's victory marks the long-awaited first Japanese triumph in the 'EVO Japan' Street Fighter 6 division since its inception.
With his brilliant performance in this tournament, Yamaguchi has secured qualification for 'CAPCOM CUP 13' and 'Esports World Cup 2026', the stages that will determine the world's best.
ZETA DIVISION aims to reach the top of the world, maintaining the strength shown at 'EVO Japan 2026' even on the global stage where strong competitors gather and compete.
ZETA DIVISION will continue its activities to contribute to the development of the game community through the operation of teams in various competitive titles, including the STREET FIGHTER division.
'EVO Japan 2026' Street Fighter 6 Division Winner Interview
Higuchi, who regrettably finished in 3rd place from the same team, and Yamaguchi, holding the championship trophy, commented, "I still can't believe I won."
"Honestly, I don't feel like I've won at all; it feels like a dream. I'm truly glad I've continued this far. I want to thank Higuchi-kun, Momochi-san, and all the various people I've been involved with up until now for allowing me to continue this far. Thank you very much."
From the EVO Japan 2026 Street Fighter 6 Division Awards Ceremony Interview
About 'CAPCOM CUP 13'
'CAPCOM CUP 13' is the culmination of the 'CAPCOM PRO TOUR 2026', where players from around the world compete throughout the year. Top players who have won qualifiers from various regions worldwide will gather to clash for the title of 'Street Fighter 6' world champion.
Following last year, this tournament will again be held in Japan, with the highest level of competition in esports history taking place at Ryogoku Kokugikan, a sacred place for esports.
Venue: Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo
Official Website: https://sf.esports.capcom.com/cpt/jp/
About 'Esports World Cup 2026'
'Esports World Cup 2026', which has established itself as the world's largest competitive gaming festival, will open in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from Monday, July 6 to Sunday, August 23, 2026.
More than 2,000 players from over 100 countries and 200 clubs will gather to compete for the top spot in this premier international esports tournament. The total prize money for the previous year...
As a result, Yamaguchi has secured qualification for 'CAPCOM CUP 13' and 'Esports World Cup 2026', the ultimate stages for determining the world's best.
What is 'EVO Japan'?
'EVO Japan' is Japan's largest international fighting game tournament, held since 2018 as a spin-off from 'EVO (Evolution Championship Series)', one of the world's largest fighting game festivals.
As the forefront of the competitive fighting game scene in Japan, many fighting game players from both Japan and abroad gather to engage in fierce battles.
At last year's 'EVO Japan 2025', popular titles such as 'Street Fighter 6', 'GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-', and 'THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV' were featured. Furthermore, it became an international tournament with over 1,000 players participating from more than 60 countries and regions, not just Japanese players.
Yamaguchi achieves a historic first Japanese victory in 'EVO Japan 2026' Street Fighter 6 division!
In the 'EVO Japan 2026' Street Fighter 6 division, Yamaguchi rapidly climbed the tournament ladder, advancing to the dream stage of Top 8, surpassing his personal best. After taking the lead against Hope, there were dangerous moments where he was caught up, but he brilliantly won and advanced to the Winners Final.
In the Winners Final, he faced his teammate Higuchi. He emerged victorious from a close match where neither gave an inch.
Punk and Yamaguchi heading to the Grand Final
In the Grand Final against Punk, who had overwhelming momentum, Yamaguchi secured a 3-1 victory with his exceptional composure and observational skills, claiming the championship.
Yamaguchi's victory marks the long-awaited first Japanese triumph in the 'EVO Japan' Street Fighter 6 division since its inception.
With his brilliant performance in this tournament, Yamaguchi has secured qualification for 'CAPCOM CUP 13' and 'Esports World Cup 2026', the stages that will determine the world's best.
ZETA DIVISION aims to reach the top of the world, maintaining the strength shown at 'EVO Japan 2026' even on the global stage where strong competitors gather and compete.
ZETA DIVISION will continue its activities to contribute to the development of the game community through the operation of teams in various competitive titles, including the STREET FIGHTER division.
'EVO Japan 2026' Street Fighter 6 Division Winner Interview
Higuchi, who regrettably finished in 3rd place from the same team, and Yamaguchi, holding the championship trophy, commented, "I still can't believe I won."
"Honestly, I don't feel like I've won at all; it feels like a dream. I'm truly glad I've continued this far. I want to thank Higuchi-kun, Momochi-san, and all the various people I've been involved with up until now for allowing me to continue this far. Thank you very much."
From the EVO Japan 2026 Street Fighter 6 Division Awards Ceremony Interview
About 'CAPCOM CUP 13'
'CAPCOM CUP 13' is the culmination of the 'CAPCOM PRO TOUR 2026', where players from around the world compete throughout the year. Top players who have won qualifiers from various regions worldwide will gather to clash for the title of 'Street Fighter 6' world champion.
Following last year, this tournament will again be held in Japan, with the highest level of competition in esports history taking place at Ryogoku Kokugikan, a sacred place for esports.
Venue: Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo
Official Website: https://sf.esports.capcom.com/cpt/jp/
About 'Esports World Cup 2026'
'Esports World Cup 2026', which has established itself as the world's largest competitive gaming festival, will open in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from Monday, July 6 to Sunday, August 23, 2026.
More than 2,000 players from over 100 countries and 200 clubs will gather to compete for the top spot in this premier international esports tournament. The total prize money for the previous year...