Daigo “The Beast” Umehara, dubbed “God of 2D Fighting Games” by Arcadia magazine, is the world’s most famous Street Fighter player. Active since 1995, he became known to the world outside of Japan after defeating US champion Alex Valle in the international Street Fighter Alpha 3 “Grand Championship”.

Previously a top player in Super Street Fighter II Turbo, Darkstalkers, and Street Fighter Alpha 3, he came to prominence in Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike through his dominating performances. In an exhibition match against Team USA in 2000, he not only defeated all five opponents with ease, but used Ken’s fierce Shoryuken as his signature to end each round.

Over the years he has amassed a range of high profile tournament victories, with repeat SBO and EVO titles amongst them. Daigo’s fighting game career can be defined by one moment that has since become an internet phenomenon: the EVO 2004 3rd Strike losers’ bracket final, where he executed a remarkable comeback with Ken against Justin Wong’s Chun-Li to advance.

After taking a break from gaming, Daigo returned in full force for Street Fighter IV. At a special GameStop exhibition match, he defeated Japanese champion Iyo, Korean champion Poongko and US champion Justin Wong to claim the title of World Champion, as well as earning a free trip to EVO 2009. In the EVO grand finals, he again faced Justin Wong and defeated him in the final round of the final game to clinch the victory.

As Street Fighter IV World Champion and the defending EVO champion, EVO APAC marks the first step on Daigo’s path to retain his EVO crown. It will be his first international Super Street Fighter IV tournament – and in Daigo’s own words, with the recent global release of Super Street Fighter IV the playing field has never been more even than now.

Do you have what it takes to cage The Beast?

The EVO APAC team thanks Good Games for providing hotel accommodation for Daigo during his stay in Sydney for EVO APAC.