92-Year-Old Woman Defeats 74-Year-Old in Tekken 8 Tournament... World Amazed by 'Oldest Champion Ever'

Care Esports Association Hosts Biannual Event
Victory Gains International Attention Beyond Japan

A 92-year-old woman has captured attention by winning a senior esports tournament held in Japan. On December 24, Yonhap News TV, citing foreign media such as UPI and Switch News, reported that Hisako Sakai, aged 92, claimed the top spot at the "12th Care Esports Cup Tekken 8" held in Japan.

Hisako Sakai, who won the Tekken 8 tournament at the age of 92. Care Esports Association

This tournament, held on December 17, was an esports event exclusively for seniors aged 65 and over. It is organized by the Care Esports Association of Japan and is held twice a year on a regular basis. This year's event saw participation from senior gamers ranging from their 70s to their 90s, and the featured title was Bandai Namco's latest fighting game, Tekken 8.

In the finals, Sakai defeated 74-year-old Goro Sugiyama with a clean 2-0 victory to lift the championship trophy. Sakai chose the character Claudio, demonstrating quick decision-making and stable combo play, while Sugiyama, who picked Lili, was eventually overwhelmed by a series of attacks and had no choice but to concede. Before the finals, Sakai expressed strong confidence, stating she was "aiming for the championship trophy," and this determination was reflected in the actual results. Sakai's performance, as shown in the live broadcast, stood out for its composure and experience, earning her enthusiastic applause from both the audience and viewers.

This victory became a major topic not only in Japan but also internationally. The UK gaming media outlet GameRactor introduced Sakai as "the oldest esports champion in history," while American outlets such as PC Gamer and BVM Sports also highlighted the significance of her win as "a moment that will go down in esports history." Some media even commented that "age is no longer a barrier in gaming."

The Care Esports Association, which hosted the tournament, was established in 2019 during the COVID-19 pandemic, as social isolation among the elderly became a growing concern. Initially, the association focused on board game tournaments such as Othello and Shogi, but later expanded into digital games, pioneering a new field known as "senior esports." The association believes that gaming plays a positive role in maintaining cognitive function and expanding social interaction among the elderly.

In particular, Hisako Sakai's victory at the age of 92 on the esports stage has drawn attention to the fact that gaming is no longer a culture exclusive to younger generations. The Care Esports Association stated, "Our goal is to expand the hosting regions and develop this into a nationwide senior esports tournament," adding, "We will continue to support seniors so they can take on new challenges through gaming."