Master tactician GamerBee shows age is just a number as he defends his Street Fighter V title

Chinese Taipei’s 43-year-old GamerBee lit up the stage at the Istanbul 2022 Global Esports Games to prove he is the champion fighter

Chinese Taipei’s GamerBee (center), who defended his GEG title in Street Fighter V: Champion Edition. Photo: Ben Queenborough/GEF

GamerBee may have been giving away more than two decades in age to Great Britain’s The4philzz in the final of Street Fighter V: Champion Edition at #GEG22, but he more than made up for any deficit in reflexes with a masterful display of technique and tactics.

A boisterous crowd inside the GEF_house arena at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel and Conference Center spied an upset when the defending champion lost the opening three games to his 21-year-old British opponent. But it turns out it was all part of a brilliantly choreographed plan.

“Usually in the tournament, we will lose the first game because sometimes we are still trying to figure out what their strategy is, and you have to do a lot of tests. Doing tests is risky, so sometimes you lose,” GamerBee explained. “But if you get enough information you (can) adjust yourself fast enough (and) that’s why I beat him in the end.”

So it proved, with GamerBee storming through to victory, with the Briton forced to play at the Chinese Taipei man’s tempo.

“I thought I had him but he switched up the way he played after I beat him in the first game, and it took me too long to react to how he changed,” a frustrated The4philzz confirmed.

Conventional wisdom suggests reflexes deteriorate with age, but the champion is used to defying such science.

“It’s really hard for me to keep (up) to those young guys, but I like fighting games and I want to keep it up,” the old man of the sport said with a grin.

“I would say the only thing I can beat them (on) is the mindset. I try not to be nervous and I try to find their weakness in movement. They will get insecure or (be) too rushed, or they don’t feel comfortable in their decision(s).”

The silver medalist certainly appreciated everything the icon of the game has given so far.

“He (GamerBee) is a great player, I have great respect for him. In fighting games, age doesn’t matter because you keep your experience. He’s won more tournaments than I’ve entered,” said The4philzz, who also lost to GamerBee in the #GEG21 semifinals in Singapore.

“He beat me in last year’s event, but hopefully I’ll get to play him again. I appreciate this tournament, and I’d love for it to be a frequent thing.”

GhostChips, of New Zealand, beat GTR of UAE to clinch bronze, and reflected on how happy he was to be at the #worldconnected flagship event.

“I’m from an isolated country, so being able to be with people who are from other countries but similar to my level is a good experience,” the bronze medalist said.

“I’m an indigenous New Zealander, I’m Māori, and it’s great to introduce that side of my country to the world.”

The final word went to the champion, who had some bad news for his opponents when asked if he would be back to go for three-in-a-row in 2023.

“I hope so,” GamerBee laughed. “If I can make that happen, it would be crazy.”