Part 1 of Capcom-Unity's question and answer session with Daigo Umehara is up now. This talks a lot about Daigo's own personal challenges, goals and the thought process behind his play. If you want to get into part of the mind of The Beast, make sure you read this.
Daigo, how do you "stay hungry" in the competitive scene? A lot of players, once they reach the top of their game in their local area, can sometimes grow bored of their competition and end up letting their game deteriorate. This can even happen to seasoned pros who constantly place top 3 at tournaments, or even number 1. However, you seem to be immune to this! Why is that? Do you have any advice for people who cannot always find an immediate challenge in their area? — Crysalim
Daigo: For me to play a game means trying something new and pushing myself to a new boundary. What matters to me is not whether I can win, throw a cool combo, or just even simply have fun with a game. It also has nothing to do with what others think of me or my play, but how I feel. I keep pushing myself, and that’s what drives me. I don’t compare myself with others. My inspiration comes from the desire of wanting to challenge myself.
I think one’s motivation can be easily affected despite his or her will. I would like to advise the players who look for an inspiration and motivation that the inspiration lies within them. It may not be easy, but try to set your own goal and strive to get there as hard as you can. Championships, money, and fame may come and go. Your own personal desire to be the best you can be is the only source of continuous drive.
He is totally and still humble. I like him and I 100% admire him.
@#3
For real right!!?
Like...he's already the first guy you think of when you think of the one of the best Ryu players...let alone street fighter players! And then you've already got a lot of the pro players already agreeing that Yun is top tier.
I'm not saying he can't use anyone else effectively...but on the flipside...it'd be cool to see him main a character that was madd unused purely because of the stereotype that the character was a weak or low tier character.
...on the other hand...maybe he finds them all easy to use...?
..man...i dunno...
@#2
I was thinking the same thing! Dude is Ryu's Avatar lol
I'd actually believe him if he played Hakan, Makoto, Sim, Hell, even Thawk .But his "new" was going from Ryu to Yun.
At the end of the day it boils down to him simply but truly needing to win.
Dont get me wrong, I aint a salty douche about the guy, nor do I need to hero worship, but Its abt stayin competitive
Woe so he listens to nothing with those headphones feels like such a robot scary.
@2
Haha, I was about to make the exact same comment, lulz.
Daigo: Ha ha! Sorry, it's nothing exciting :( I don’t listen to anything. It’s a noise canceling device, so I play in a total silence in order to focus on my play.
Lol, I bet people feel so trolled right now. Daigo is such an amazing player, no wonder he won with Ryu. He is the embodiment of Ryu!
He says to have drive, from within. That should be the primary source that pushes you to improve, not fame or money. :)
Daigo's state of mind is very much in tune with Buddhism and/or Taoism. Quite an inspirational read.
"It also has nothing to do with what others think of me or my play, but how I feel. I keep pushing myself, and that’s what drives me. I don’t compare myself with others. My inspiration comes from the desire of wanting to challenge myself."
"I think one’s motivation can be easily affected despite his or her will. I would like to advise the players who look for an inspiration and motivation that the inspiration lies within them. It may not be easy, but try to set your own goal and strive to get there as hard as you can."
This rings true with anything we try to improve with. Good stuff, looking forward to part two.
@#12 He's said he was picking Yun b4 AE came out :P
Spoken like a true champ.
@#21 Awesomely enough, I've seen Bruce Lee say similar things.
Thats was so cool iam not a daigo fan boy or anything
but that was well said..
Daigo is one of the reasons people get hype in evo,
Daigos secret??
he eats Corn Flakes