The National and World Street Fighter IV Finals have ended. Details were posted live to this article as they happened.A huge shout out goes to PMS Wedge for providing updates and impressions through the entire event.
Click here to see videos from the finals.
Justin landed a lot of big moves in this match. Ross played a mostly defensive game, but Wong came up huge with a few EX-Snake Strikes and combos to take the set.
The Street Fighter IV World Finals featured the following players:
Daigo Umehara, also known as, The Beast. Simply put, a Street Fighter legend.
Iyo who recently won the Japanese National SFIV tournament.
Poongko who won the Korean SFIV National Tournament and is known for playing an extremely aggressive style of play.
Justin Wong who is regarded as one of the best fighting game players around, period. Justin was the only American in this part of the competition.
Poongko pulled off some great combos, but he made a lot of mistakes and did far too many Shoryukens which left him open for punishment. Still, he's a very entertaining player who has outstanding execution skills. He had an alright showing.
Iyo kept with his mostly defensive style through his matches and again, his Daigo set was legendary.
While Justin played a very aggressive style against the American players, he mixed it up more against the International guys. While he changed how he was playing a bit, this seemed like an effective tactic.
Daigo was... Daigo, The Beast. Clutch as ever with some disgustingly good psychic moves and his great mid-game adjustments.
Here are some photos from the event.
Posted by Ish on April 17, 2009 at 11:07 p.m. #1
That's one hell of a trophy but nothing compared to the prize =o
Posted by smokemonster1 on April 18, 2009 at 6:05 a.m. #2
wish they could've hooked up a live stream. it was the biggest SF tournament of all time and all... and it is 2009... is a live stream so out of the question?
Posted by ronskii on April 18, 2009 at 12:38 p.m. #3
IM GONNA SEE THAT TONIGHT!!
Posted by loldotcom on April 18, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. #4
smokemonster1; That's what I was thinking. If this were in Japan, they'd probably have a TV show for it :P
Posted by Chris on April 18, 2009 at 1:02 p.m. #5
I think it's a joke that's they don't have a VIDEO livestream for this, I mean welcome to 2009 capcom!
Posted by Wow on April 18, 2009 at 1:07 p.m. #6
LOL audiostream? LOL no live stream? guess capcom is still in 1990s
Posted by M-80 on April 18, 2009 at 5:54 p.m. #7
would the 6:30 time be california time??
Posted by Geeelang on April 18, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. #8
It's 6:30 PST. So yes that's California time :)
Posted by M-80 on April 18, 2009 at 6:37 p.m. #9
Thanx ^_^
Posted by FawkGamestop on April 18, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. #10
Ok lets get this straight, this was hosted by gamestop, made people use shietty xbox controllers. They can't even afford livestream what a buncha shietbags
Posted by B.E.Z on April 18, 2009 at 9:27 p.m. #11
Someone has to youtube this
Posted by papa dav3 on April 18, 2009 at 9:37 p.m. #12
so any results??
Posted by Bobe3resdfas on April 18, 2009 at 9:52 p.m. #13
So apparently Jwong wins 4-1? i think. I wanted Mike Ross :'(
Posted by C. Outlaw on April 18, 2009 at 9:55 p.m. #14
Wong won it!
Woo!
EAST COAST
Posted by coolguy681 on April 18, 2009 at 9:56 p.m. #15
i wish i cudve seen some of the matches.
Posted by eventhubslover on April 18, 2009 at 9:56 p.m. #16
THIS IS THE GREATEST STREETFIGHTERSITE ON THE WEB. YOUR UP TO DATE. I LOVE THIS SITE!!!! THANK YOU AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!
Posted by Catalyst on April 18, 2009 at 9:58 p.m. #17
As soon as we can get our hands on videos, we'll have those posted as well.
Posted by DoubleGerman! on April 18, 2009 at 10:05 p.m. #18
oh snap maybe wong will get his daigo revenge!
GETHYPE
Posted by jeff on April 18, 2009 at 10:15 p.m. #19
Good work, do keep us posted.
Thank you.
Posted by Nnab on April 18, 2009 at 10:22 p.m. #20
Go iyo
Posted by U-Volt on April 18, 2009 at 10:27 p.m. #21
Could we see Daigo v. Wong in an epic rematch??
Posted by U-Volt on April 18, 2009 at 10:32 p.m. #22
Poongko is getting handled. I guess the competition in Korea isn't like Japan and USA!!
Posted by Ken on April 18, 2009 at 10:39 p.m. #23
Poongko got handled by the big fat american
Posted by Back to starcraft on April 18, 2009 at 10:42 p.m. #24
Poongko pooning back to starcraft
Posted by U-Volt on April 18, 2009 at 10:43 p.m. #25
Is that it? I hope not, b/c all that proved was Poongko can't hang with the big dogs....but he'd still rip me apart :P
Posted by fobi0 on April 18, 2009 at 10:44 p.m. #26
Too bad for Poongko. I'll give him the benefit of a doubt and say it's just tourney jitters.
Posted by Brian James on April 18, 2009 at 10:53 p.m. #27
Antwan said he beat the crap out of Poongko in casuals earlier too, just face it, dude isn't as good as they hyped him up to be
Posted by USF on April 18, 2009 at 10:54 p.m. #28
Finally, Daigo beat Poongko 4-1. Where are all those fools that started calling Poongko the new Ryu king and that he would whoop Daigo's ass?
Posted by mooteh on April 18, 2009 at 10:57 p.m. #29
Agreed. Poongko was pretty hyped up. Played him at Isu Theme Park in Korea last winter and beat him also. Then he got pissed and started abusing El Fuerte infinite =/
Posted by SELG on April 18, 2009 at 10:57 p.m. #30
GODDAMINT I OWN THEM ALL LOL KIDING
Posted by U-Volt on April 18, 2009 at 11:01 p.m. #31
Looks like the rematch is about to go down....GO JUSTIN/USA!!
Posted by Mystile on April 18, 2009 at 11:05 p.m. #32
omfg this is crazy i wish i was there
Posted by ApocNarok on April 18, 2009 at 11:05 p.m. #33
Oh man Daigo is a beast
Posted by yflow on April 18, 2009 at 11:06 p.m. #34
Oh god, I'm reading this as it's updated and this is insanely intense. A video feed would have been godlike.
Posted by rchan on April 18, 2009 at 11:07 p.m. #35
wow , daigo didnt even charge for those lessons for justin wong ROFL
Posted by LOL on April 18, 2009 at 11:08 p.m. #36
Justin got RAPED
Posted by Mystile on April 18, 2009 at 11:09 p.m. #37
@rchan
hahaha good one
Daigo is truly truly a beast
Posted by yflow on April 18, 2009 at 11:09 p.m. #38
@rchan:
Haha, awesome. I lol'd hard.
Posted by Power on April 18, 2009 at 11:10 p.m. #39
Daigo cheated. He lost in Japan and then gest a 2nd chance? Why the other guys don't get a second chance?
Posted by Mystile on April 18, 2009 at 11:11 p.m. #40
man i wish there was a live stream
cant wait until the videos get uploaded
Posted by yum on April 18, 2009 at 11:12 p.m. #41
there better be vids.
Posted by rchan on April 18, 2009 at 11:12 p.m. #42
@power
thats because his the 1st for sf4 japan bp ranking for like 6 months .. i guess
Posted by Daigo Umehara on April 18, 2009 at 11:12 p.m. #43
Cuz I'm mother f*cking Daigo!
Posted by Justin Wong on April 18, 2009 at 11:13 p.m. #44
.... T_T
Posted by zz on April 18, 2009 at 11:13 p.m. #45
daigo rarely wins X-0 too. he always drops rounds before he finishes it off. makes it look even worse.
Posted by Ray Fu on April 18, 2009 at 11:19 p.m. #46
Daigo vs Wong
4-0 Daigo......The Beast is unleashed!
Posted by seph13 on April 18, 2009 at 11:20 p.m. #47
Where was Valle when we needed him? Daigo gave Wong a free lesson on daring to awaken the Beast
Posted by \o/ on April 18, 2009 at 11:27 p.m. #48
Daigo - 2, Justin - 0
Posted by Mystile on April 18, 2009 at 11:29 p.m. #49
i still cant believe what just happened
Posted by RT on April 18, 2009 at 11:35 p.m. #50
someone has links for vids ? thank you
Posted by Paradox on April 18, 2009 at 11:38 p.m. #51
Daigo is such an animal. I wouldn't be surprised if he traveled everywhere in a cage.
Posted by lol on April 18, 2009 at 11:39 p.m. #52
i think those people with the poongko-autographed t-shirts probably wish they went to someone else right about now
Posted by b3n on April 18, 2009 at 11:40 p.m. #53
Man there was way too much hype about Poongko,he was on like every single sf4 site i went to. Sayin how he's the most aggressive ryu, and people kept saying how he could beat Daigo... I guess all poongko got goin for him now is that he 'might' have the most aggresive ryu LOL
Yeah congrats daigo, i didn't think he'd be such a big beast, just due to the fact that he didnt make top in Jap nationals, but i am happy he proved me wrong.
Congrats to Justin too, Wong Coast > West Coast
j/k =P
Posted by wtf on April 18, 2009 at 11:41 p.m. #54
I can't believe there are American people on here rooting for a Japanese player that didn't even get through the brackets to be the #1 Japanese representative. Japan rigged it. It would be the equivalent of America sending two Basketball Teams to the Olympics. WTF?
Posted by fetus on April 18, 2009 at 11:41 p.m. #55
wait...who won?
Posted by chumpslayer on April 19, 2009 at 12:02 a.m. #56
poongko needs to main el fuerte
Posted by poongko on April 19, 2009 at 12:06 a.m. #57
k
Posted by West Coast on April 19, 2009 at 12:13 a.m. #58
As much as I did not want Justin to win, I found it very interesting that he lost 4-0.
That is so unexpected of him. I thought he would at least make it 4-3.
As for having two Japanese representatives, I think it's only because Capcom, or some one, never got around to doing a European national.
Posted by Andrew on April 19, 2009 at 12:20 a.m. #59
@ wtf
dude, this isn't country against country, its whoevers the best, and daigo clearly is (out of these guys)
Posted by Him on April 19, 2009 at 12:23 a.m. #60
I wonder how Justin felt after losing to Daigo again...
Posted by Andrew on April 19, 2009 at 12:32 a.m. #61
did daigo even enter the Japanese National SFIV tournament?
Posted by Dave on April 19, 2009 at 12:38 a.m. #62
For you that are confused :
Wong won the National tourney, hence the trophy.
Diago won the world tourney, which oddly enough....has no prize besides massive bragging rights
Posted by YuPs on April 19, 2009 at 12:39 a.m. #63
how was the turnout?
Posted by b3n on April 19, 2009 at 12:40 a.m. #64
yeah Daigo entered but then he didnt make top 8, i heard he didnt even make it outta top 100 or something like that.
i need someone to clearify how far he got in japan nationals, and what rank did he get and who beat him
anyone knows?
Posted by anonymous on April 19, 2009 at 12:40 a.m. #65
Daigo entered Japanese national and lost early on against VegaCurry(Sagat)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF7kRO...
Posted by Terrance on April 19, 2009 at 12:46 a.m. #66
Yea daigo entered he lost to vega curry a sagat player in top16 its on youtube
Posted by The Beast Daigo on April 19, 2009 at 1:16 a.m. #67
QQ more guys. Your tears feed my Super meter.
Posted by lol@usascrubs on April 19, 2009 at 1:26 a.m. #68
USA has tonnes of scrubs lol. justin didnt even had to try. i bet its cos theres so many holes in how you play, hence aggressive playing
international he plays conservative because hes up against players that are good. period
Posted by Wong Number on April 19, 2009 at 1:32 a.m. #69
^ lulz
Posted by an0n on April 19, 2009 at 1:39 a.m. #70
What was the prize?
Posted by link on April 19, 2009 at 1:40 a.m. #71
Wong v The Beast 4/18/09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xev531...
Posted by madden on April 19, 2009 at 1:42 a.m. #72
i thought coyotegrey used pad?
Posted by Bracket Man on April 19, 2009 at 1:47 a.m. #73
I kinda figured Poongko wouldnt do too well... from his vids he doesn't seem to adapt too well when thrown of his offensive game. Guys like Justin and Daigo are masters of adapting, and once they see a hole in your strategy, they exploit it to the fullest. Poongko needs a long hard period of adjustment to superior tactics.
Posted by lol on April 19, 2009 at 1:48 a.m. #74
No matter who won, an Asian won. Peace
Posted by Post 71 Final match video Link man^ on April 19, 2009 at 1:54 a.m. #75
Not even close.
Strange not one quick recover for Rufus, even just to throw off timing of Daigo, or start his own offensive on wakeup when he had room. Ryu was walking forward forever even in the corner on him, early rounds there. Like its a Urien pushing around a downed foe in SF3(for Reflector hits) or something, heh.
And Justin didn't adjust to that HK sweep not reaching Ryu's in air Tatsu flying all over/not necessarily as cross up, by instead using that infamous Rufus cr.HP that reaches like half the screen.
Not like it wouldn't have won him a round but just saying. & yeah I know its easy to say post-game and dissecting a video.
Posted by john on April 19, 2009 at 2:06 a.m. #76
I knew Poongko will do bad against the Japanese players and justin but Poongko will probably beat most US players.
Posted by fixed on April 19, 2009 at 2:11 a.m. #77
i'm gonna say it. iyo should have won against daigo and justin. it was a set up to get justin and daigo heads up for a semi-rematch. watch iyo dominate in the early rounds of both matches, then get hit by silly shxx to lose. not taking away anything from daigo (incredible clutch performance) but it seemed a tad scripted (with the many mid screen fierce dp's going unpunished).
Posted by UFO Conspiracy on April 19, 2009 at 2:13 a.m. #78
@fixed
Ya it's fixed because there is so much money involved >.>
Posted by Prize on April 19, 2009 at 2:46 a.m. #79
The prize was a round trip full paid way to and EVO entry fee.
Check the link:
http://www.capcom-unity.com/s-kill/bl...
---------
There's a little line in there about an "exhibition featuring Japanese and Korean champs." It's just one item on a list of fun things happening, but for any serious fan of Street Fighter, this will really be an epic showcase of international superstars.
They're competing for an all-expenses paid trip from anywhere in the world to the EVO World Finals in Las Vegas, July 17-19th, but who are these guys? Just the Japanese National champion, the Korean National champion, and perhaps the most legendary Street Fighter of all time.
-----------
But this isn't some "smoking man" conspiracy.
Gamestop US Final prize for Justin is that Silver trophy. Silver, not Gold for 1st place? (Like they knew he wasn't going to win vs 3 man Asia comp field), there's your foreshadow conspiracy!
Posted by Blah on April 19, 2009 at 2:48 a.m. #80
Well after watching the match Justin caught several breaks vs Iyo. Epsecially that Ultra he jumped into and managed to somehow squeak a block in. Then another instance where Iyo landed ultra that Wong yet again jumped into and it only hit once...he escaped full damage. Otherwise that might have been the match there. Dhalsim has so much crap stacked against him, including bugs like that.
Posted by Meh on April 19, 2009 at 2:59 a.m. #81
Poongko didn't do as bad as the summary made it out to be. I think, the main differences was that this was probably his first big stage for a SF tournament outside of Korea.
And I have noticed that he doesn't throw out much fireballs, unlike Daigo. Who likes to throw them out like it's going out of style.
Anyways, I am looking forward to seeing more of him in the future. Who knows? Maybe these defeats are actually the best things for him.
Posted by loldotcom on April 19, 2009 at 7:11 a.m. #82
"iyo should have won against daigo and justin. it was a set up to get justin and daigo heads up for a semi-rematch."
Pretty sure everyone was going to play everyone regardless.
Poongko lost 4 times in a row, if this was a tournament set up, he wouldn't have played 4 times in a row =x
Posted by Darian on April 19, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. #83
Wow those matches were just streaming with skill and perseverance to the point that I couldn't stop watching. Well thankfully I am smart enough to know that such a comment is sarcasm at best, otherwise my IQ really wouldn't be too high at all and I'd likely be unable to assess the difference between a 2D fighter and a 3D. Anyone who honestly believes this garbage of a game has any skill parameter should try out in the turn-based strategy genre, but you'd probably collapse out of the weight of the actual skill of other players.
Posted by Giggity on April 19, 2009 at 11:23 a.m. #84
I dont see them fixing a great fight like the Iyo and Diago fight only to set up that slaughter of a final. That was the most lopsided match of the tournament. Justin didnt even get a round off. Nothing fixed about it. Diago is just a beast.
Posted by ..... on April 19, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. #85
what about the dude from the UK, I think his name was Zach or something like that. Does does anyone know why he wasnt at this event??
Posted by Ignorance is bliss on April 19, 2009 at 1:34 p.m. #86
Lol, did #83 just say that you don't need skill to play and win SF4?
And that there is no difference in skill between someone who's never played any SF at all and someone like Justin or Daigo?
Posted by Badguywins on April 19, 2009 at 1:37 p.m. #87
Daigo may be the Beast but Iyo is the truth. Daigo should have gone through Iyo to get through the finals.
Posted by Dmaf on April 19, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. #88
Anti euro policy
Posted by thepirategeek on April 19, 2009 at 4:45 p.m. #89
Diago!!! Go Beast!
Hoping they release some high quality DVD footage :D
Posted by Gospel_au on April 19, 2009 at 11:47 p.m. #90
Rofl, all the people who ever had the slightest idea that Daigo would lose to Poongko got owned.
Seriously, could you ever doubt Daigo's ryu. To compare the two beings is stupid. Daigo has like 10-15 years of Ryu experience, going back to the Super Turbo days. Daigo defines Ryu.
However, I do feel for Poongko considering that he was crying? (was he?) He must have been reeling emotionally. Like, did he know about the hype that people were placing on him. I hope to see him do well on the large scale one day.
The Iyo vs Daigo match is gold and serves justice as perhaps what sould have been the final to the Jap Nationals.
Haven't watched the j wong v daigo yet, but 4-0 is 'mail received for jwong@owned.com'
Posted by Rowland Gretz on April 20, 2009 at 12:06 a.m. #91
Mago wouldn't need to cheat like that to grab the win
Posted by Gospel_au on April 20, 2009 at 4:06 a.m. #92
btw, the i just noticed what it says on jwong's shirt lol.
he didnt even use a shoto chcaracter, so its probably more fitting if it read: 'i came, i saw, i got hadoukened (by daigo)' looooool
Posted by JDxx on April 20, 2009 at 2:23 p.m. #93
I don't get it. So Diago beast Justin Wong, but Justin won the Tourney? Did I miss something?
Posted by Endo on April 21, 2009 at 1:24 p.m. #94
Justin won the national tourney, Daigo won the world tourney.
Now what you should be asking is, why is it that the national tourney has a trophy while the world one hasn't!
Anyways, I guess it really wasn't a surprise seeing Daigo vs. Justin in the world final.
Posted by R3dRyd3r on April 22, 2009 at 6:29 a.m. #95
why no one plays on a hori real arcade pro 3?
Posted by Dek0r on April 25, 2009 at 12:02 p.m. #96
Aha CaliPower, Alex Valle, didn't get into the finals.
Posted by SteveW on May 17, 2009 at 12:05 p.m. #97
http://daigoumehara.blogspot.com/
this is a great site, very funny too!
