First up, let me say that I was much, much happier with my performance in this tournament than DtN! Despite stress levels being high from a TO perspective for both, I managed to eek my way into top 8 here. Shame that none of my other matches could have been captured before I got unceremoniously dismantled by @adamYUKI , but I had a great time nonetheless.

We had to scramble to get everything set up in time on Sunday, but shout-outs to @INCIDENT for beating us all to the punch with his own setup first! Was great to finally meet you in person. Also have to note that this was the first time I met @blessROK, @KilgoreTheFish @Blackula, @banok, @AyuFanb0y, @Dandy_J, @Renzo and @Shou after having only interacted online. It was a pleasure to meet you all, even if it was brief in the chaos of Evo. Hope to do so again one day!

It was also great catching up with everyone I already shouted out in the Defend the North thread, as well as guys like @CIDKID, @Airegin, @Macc, @KADAJ757 who I have met before but not seen in years! One of my favourite things about events like these is getting to catch up with everyone again.

Special mention to the Japanese contingent for the tournament, who travelled a long way and performed really well! @shiwapon, @nyanta, De-Chi and AoPai! One of the best parts of the tournament was my match with AoPai where I was warned in advance that 'Japanese Virtua Fighter is very noisy' and had a cheer squad going right behind me. Love that atmosphere and spirit!

I'm really thankful to CymaticSF who saved our bacon with streaming and also thank you to @cobratron and his bro (I don't think he has an account here? Otherwise I'd tag him too) for bringing their mobile internet to get the signal out to the awaiting public. Big thank you to Sega for hosting the channel too!

Post tournament I enjoyed the most expensive coffee I've ever had ($5.50 are you fucking for real?) and managed to spend a few hours hanging out with the amazingly chill and nice @adamYUKI and @Lucky_GT. I really did have a great time chilling after the tournament and not having to worry about anything other than planning our next international event and trying not to get washed 5-0 by you beasts of VF!

Again, I've probably butchered this series of events, or forgotten at least one person or two in this write up, so please mention if I did! I had an excellent time, so thanks to everyone I interacted with!

Photo of (almost) the top 8, courtesy of CobraKai Tone.