Red Bull is officially returning to the Street Fighter esports calendar with Red Bull Kumite South Africa!
The two-day tournament, taking place on the 1st and 2nd of July 2023, will bring the world’s best players together for the first Street Fighter tournament since the release of the highly anticipated Street Fighter 6. The event will provide an electrifying experience for viewers, with gripping, high-stakes matches from the world’s greatest players. In this show, we chat with Red Bull Hit the Streets 2022 champion Jabhi “JabhiM” Mabuza about his gaming career, Street Fighter 6 and the Red Bull Kumite.
Don’t forget you can still win some tickets to watch all the action live; simply head over to our Red Bull Kumite 2023 competition page and enter. But hurry, the competition closes this Wednesday.
THE PRESS RELEASE PART
Red Bull Kumite, the world’s most renowned Street Fighter tournament, is coming to South Africa. It promises something for all types of gaming fans, from hardcore competitors to youngsters and even those who last played Street Fighter back in the late 90s. Here’s what to expect:
THE WORLD IS COMING TO SA
Red Bull Kumite 2023, is a unique fighting game invitational tournament that will be held in Pretoria on July 2, 2023 for the World final. The event will feature the world’s best Street Fighter 6 players. Originally held in Paris from 2015 to 2018, the prestigious competition was moved to Japan in 2019 as a nod to ‘the spiritual home to Street Fighter’. In 2021, Red Bull Kumite took place in London and Las Vegas before making its way to South Africa in 2023.
“To have Red Bull Kumite, in South Africa, is a giant step forward for our country and the continent!” said Sam ‘Tech Girl’ Wright, who will be co-hosting the event.
“I’ve been lucky enough to spend the last few years travelling the world working on some of the biggest global esports events. But I’ve always championed for these events to find their way to South African soil,” Wright added, explaining that we have incredibly passionate esports fans here in South Africa who spend their weekends watching these events online. “Now, finally, that local passion can be shared in person,” she said.
According to Wright, having the best fighting games players in the world competing in South Africa will not only reward these loyal fans but show the rest of the world the incredible spirit our country’s small esports scene embodies.
While loyal gaming fans have been counting down the days to the event, Red Bull Kumite will appeal to non-core gamers as well, with the Street Fighter franchise having such a long legacy.
According to influential gaming journalist, Gareth Woods, “Street Fighter 6 brings back the essence of the franchise while introducing new features and modes that enhance the gameplay experience.” According to Woods, it strikes the perfect balance between being both fun and competitive, serious, and playful. “It really is a triumph and a shining jewel in the crown that is the Street Fighter franchise and will appeal to newcomers and veterans alike.”
WHAT TO EXPECT
Each Red Bull Kumite event throughout the years has been a crowd spectacle, featuring a ‘cage fighting’ style arena and a vibe unlike any other. At its core, Kumite is a showcase of the best players in the world, a spectacle of the best the FGC has to offer, made even more complete with high production values that can rival television broadcasts. As it has evolved, however, it has grown to be a proving ground for competitors. Pretoria 2023 will be no different.
FORMAT
The tournament will be a double-elimination bracket, with the top player from the Last Chance Qualifier on July 1, 2023, joining the 15 invited players in the main event on July 2, 2023. The winner of the tournament will be crowned the Red Bull Kumite 2023 champion. The Last Chance Qualifier will be held at the same venue as the main event, the University of Pretoria’s Rembrandt Hall. The qualifier will be open to all players, and the winner will qualify for the main event.
PLAYERS
The all-star roster of invited players includes the likes of Tokido — a living legend who has been part of the Street Fighter elite for over 20 years. The USA’s Justin Wong, who, with nine titles, is the most decorated player in EVO history. As well as Red Bull Kumite London 2021 champion, Mister Crimson from France. In 2016 he was the first winner of a major tournament in the Street Fighter V era (Cannes Winter Clash). Seven years later, he finished in style with the 2021-2023 seasons at the highest level, including victory at Red Bull Kumite London, Top 8 at EVO and Capcom Cup.
Also back in the country is Japanese superstar Gachikun, who visited South Africa in 2021. His impressive resume includes the title of champion of the Capcom Cup 2018 and the 2022 Street Fighter League World Championship.
Local hero and three-time Red Bull Hit The Streets champion, Jabhi ‘JabhiM’ Mabuza. JabhiM is looking forward to competing against the world’s best on home soil but ultimately has plans beyond the tournament. “My long-term goals in the competitive Street Fighter scene are to establish myself as a prominent figure within the esports industry,” he said. “I want to go beyond just competing in tournaments and become a recognised brand within the genre. Red Bull Kumite is a great opportunity for me to showcase my skills, gain exposure, and further solidify my position in the competitive scene,” he added.
HOW TO WATCH
Tickets for the event are available for purchase on Red Bull’s website here. The main event will also be streamed live on Red Bull’s Twitch and YouTube channels.