Getting beat in front of thousands of people must be like torture, punk just wanted it to end that's why he wansn't taking his time in between sets (Sorry for my bad english)
Tokido's Japanese message [English] Of course, I appreciate the fans who supports me. More than that, I really appreciate all the players who played against me to defeat each other, to improve skills each other. Thank you very much! [Japanese] 応援してくれたファンの皆さんももちろん、やっぱり、僕と対戦してくれて本当にお互いがお互いを倒すべく、お互いが自分を上達させるべく、対戦してくれた人たちに本当にありがとうと言いたいです。ありがとうございました!
"Fighting game is something so great" Congratulations Tokido-san!! You deserve it! And James Chen shed the tears once again. All the feeling, unlike nowhere else except EVO.
every great person has their share of haters unfortunately. I'm confused as to why people do as well. I mean c'mon, he's an archive of dad jokes and he's so genuine.
Tokido is the champion that we needed, hopefully he sets an example for what a true champion looks like, hard work, dedication, respect, and humbleness even in victory. 👏👏👏👍👍
Punk could not have prepared himself for the force of nature that is Shin Tokido. He will be haunted by recurring nightmares of 15:22 for years to come.
A lot of people will say Punk choked, but my God I've never seen Tokido this on point in my life. It was as though Tokido was manipulating Punk's decision making. For example, just look at how Tokido positions himself during the beginning of the set vs. the end. At first, he relies heavily on Punk's mistakes to finds way for offense and takes more of a defensive approach. But it soon evolves to him relentlessly walking forward when he smells blood and Punk crumbled under Tokido's pressure. Also, when Tokido had him cornered and just stood there daring Punk to press a button is just dominant! Congrats to Tokido for such clean play and I really hope that Punk gets a run back soon.
Nah Takido had this match. I study these games back with Sega lol. Akuma is and has always been a tank with speed. When u can chain special atks back to back thats at least 35%-40%. Then include that arieral move that can either grab you in mid air or let u land into a sweep..lmao. nah man. We not even going to include the jumo switch up that opens with mid air fireballs. I don't think Fox with Karin had any chance. U have to basically allow Karin to keep it all close to mid range.
He kept on jumping and changing his aerial approaches. He also was jumping over punk to test his decision making, it was to much to deal with in a high pressure situation & also jumping over punk gave him space so he wasn't cornered
I Watch this nearly a year later and to this day it still gives me chills as i recognize it as one of the greatest esports moments ever across all platforms. The story of one of the original legends, who was always just "short" of being the best, finally coming to his finals, and claiming it all to engrave his name forever.
I've been a Tokido fan since I saw those crazy Akuma setups he had back in SFIV. Then I started playing SFV and became more and more involved into the FGC so I found out that he was going to EVO for more than a decade and when e-league happened it was the first time I acknowledge what kind of person Tokido was, is and perhaps, will be thanks to this "introduction videos". First watching him working so hard in season 1 with Ryu just to lost almost everytime against Infiltration (he only defeated him in 2016 CEO). Then, in the begining of season 2 Akuma camed back and he started to improve and understand so good this character but then Nuckledu appeared and he would be that new guy that will stop him from winning just until now. Now I literally couldn't believe what I was witnessing today, this dude defeated both capcom cup champions of 2015 and 2016 and also defeated the current best new player. Watching this event was almost a dream becoming true, the guy that fought and trained like a mad man for more than a decade overcomed his demons and found light at the end tunnel, it was simply amazing and will be for me one of the best matches and why not one of the best days in the history of SFV forever. (Sorry for my bad english I'm still in the shock of the moment)
I have been a Tokido fan since SFIV myself. I wanted to do the vortex like Tokido so bad. His journey is amazing, he is the one who deserved the win the most!
Luis Oliva that man stole my heart when I seen him destroy the entire five-on-five USA team at Evolution 2002 playing 3rd Strike using just urien... One by one.
I can't stop watching this. Tokido is my absolute favorite. Sent to losers by Punk. Fights his way through Haitani, Fchamp, Du, Itazan, and Kazunoko, for a run back at grand finals against Punk. Wow. I love this year's Evo. Congratulations to my favorites for all performing so well. Tokido, FChamp, and Chen. No Eita though.
He kept rushing back into the matches instead of taking time to relax and collect himself. I was honestly surprised last night when I saw that they went right into the next game after the bracket was reset.
What do you mean the mental strength is not there? That's a dumb statement. This guy is top 1 or 2 in the world right now. You don't get to that position without mental strength. This is his first EVO finals and he was overtaken by the moment. Every single great champion has had moments where they falter. They are not "Weak," they are human -- it happens. He needs to keep playing and keep competing on these big stages and he'll be fine. It's part of the process any seasoned competitor goes through.
It's not a dumb statement. He faltered when Tokido didn't. So, Punk's mental strength just wasn't there. YET. Granted, this is against Tokido who has been at this stage before and had the momentum against him time and again. If there was anyone for Punk to crumble to, it'd be him. At the age of 18, experience will only make Punk better and better and he'll be back next year much stronger.
It's amazing how this happens to many first time event competitors in any sport or form of competition. Punks collapse is similar to Rory Mcllroy's last round in the 2011 Masters.
It was pretty clear. He wasn't playing like he normally plays. It was so obvious to me. I wanted Tokido to win because he's been working for this for a decade plus. That being said, I asked myself tons of times, "WTF is Punk doing?" He was playing way too passive and allowing Tokido to control the screen. I mean if you've seen Punk play at all, you would know that something was up. I don't think I've ever seen him play near fullscreen like that for that long in a single set, but he did it in both sets in that GF. Granted Tokido is great in his own right, but Punk was just allowing himself to get bullied the whole time. That role is usually Punk's.
I'm so happy. Incredible performance by Tokido, so glad he finally won the Evo Championship. Punk had a tremendous showing as well and is arguably the best player in the US right now. Hopefully he learns a lesson from this L and continues working to improve himself. See you guys at Capcom Cup :)
Punk is always so disrespectful to every others fighters, but when you're facing Tokido, you just lay down... Punk is one of the great ones, but Tokido is simply a Genius
It was not just download complete this time... Tokido even installed Punk playstyle software on his head and ran a battle simulation. I almost feel sorry for Punk, God Damn!
I won't lie, these grand finals had me torn. I wanted to root for Punk and see America finally take an evo SF win, but Tokido is also one of my favorite SF players all time. And even though Punk won't ever see this, I just have to say, with such a performance since he has jumped onto the scene and at only 18, if he can keep it up and get the experience that these veterans like Tokido have, he is going to have a really nice career ahead of him. Now onto the runback, EVO Japan!
The taunt win, prefect and demon destroyed Punk mentally. Anyone who received that result would second guess themselves. Can't really blame him. Tokido is so used to the pressure of the big stage too.
I'm happy for Tokido. I've watched him place 2nd 3rd and 4th in so many evos over the years. In KOF, SFIV, Guilty Gear. He finally got the big prize. imo the greatest fighting game player ever, nobody has been great in that many games. Finally got his 1st
tokido and akuma. Hard work really pays off. He deserve to be Evo champ. Punk really crumble after the reset. 1st timer jitters. he still have next year...
15:22 4 years after... And that raging demon still gives me the chills! I remember catching this moment live with my brother and we totally lost it from the moment we saw those jabs
Tokido has officially surpassed Daigo as the ambassador of SF....He has matured and changed over the years. His attitude and competitive spirit is what this is all about. Tokido is Akuma and Akuma is Tokido...Together they are a monster and so entertaining. I salute you Tokido !!!!
Incross hes been in the game for sooo long he can still play them lol but diago did that once kuroda, Nuki, hell even alex valle and yes they still play tournaments but not like before.... remember that title of the five gods of japan isnt going anywhere. tokido established himself already what else does he need to prove to us who he is
I LOVE IT THAT TOKIDO WON but I must say that the emotions experienced by Punk will only fuel his training and conviction for next year's Evo or other tournaments btw love the booing on some of the NA players that came in Top 8
Damn, watching it for the first time now. Tokido is the one I was mimicing and following before during the glory days of sf4 since I'm an Akuma main. He never became champion before but he was definitely my personal idol. I stopped playing for years and seeing him won makes me emotional. Congrats Tokido, truly a wonderful dedication.
I've always been super casual when it cames to SFV (I play Smash) but this match was honestly so incredible. I plan to start learning SFV and hopefully get involved with the community. Congrats to Tokido! His run was so inspiring
so happy to see Tokido take this, his experience and talent gave him the edge here. He had an advantage of being in Punks head especially after he won 10-0 in casuals, that taunt combo was executed perfectly. Punk has no doubt got what it takes, he's young and he can grow from this loss.
Man I feel bad for Punk. I'd so give him a hug right now. He can't be too hard on himself like that. =/ A guy his age and making it that far in EVO losing only once is an amazing feat in itself.
It really was.. Beats even the SF4 Grand finals for me. Everything was completely firing on all cylinders with the amazing production, the commentators were on point, the storyline either way was amazing, and people literally thought there was no tech in this game until this match
According to legend the raging demon himself once said: “Fighting game are something so great” May the man infested with the satsui no hado live on forever
Tokido was the better man this day. Punk is probably still the best right now though. He is very consistent. I can't think of anyone who has made more finals at major tournys this season. His ability to play multiple characters right below the highest level shows are great understanding of the the games mechanics. Punk just couldn't take the pressure of the moment. He didn't play well. A lot of uncharacteristic drops and letting Tokido jump in way too much. Punk is kinda like Infiltration in season 1. He's been pretty dominant most of the season and people are constantly looking at footage and preparing for a Karin match. And now every Karin is playing more like Punk, just like all the Nash clones in season 1, so people can get plenty of training. Congrats to Tokido on a well deserved victory.
Mike Albert I'll agree with you there. Punk is not used to dealing with pressure as he is always the one dishing it out. This will come with experience like Tokido. Clutch matches against Itazan and Fchamp in losers to get to grand final. Fantastic mental fortitude
The craziest part of this grands was how good Punk was doing up until he faced Tokido. He absolutely steamrolled everyone else in winner's bracket, but after Tokido took the first set it was basically already over.
He was like that during pools too. This being Evo definitely got to him and he finally cracked in GF. Probably doesn't help that he was playing sets with Tokido all week prior to the event and reportedly got bodied most of the time.
Nervous after the reset? He was nervous before the first game even started. Look at his face while he is walking up to the stage LOL he is defeated before it has even begun.
siberus48 he’s 18 the last American standing. Oh sure no pressure at all he just has the weight of America on his shoulders nothing to worry about right?
I watched EVO 2016 top 8 loosely it was so dull. Tokido made 2k17 so hype I was gripped by it. Both of these guys hearts were in it and you felt it. What an amazing top 8 and grand finals
Tokido! My two favorite players in the Grand Finals. Ever since he used Ryu from SFv release, I knew he would be great and win EVO eventually. Punk has many great years left and this is just the beginning.
A year too late too say this but Tokido 0-2 in S01 Capcom Cup Akuma revealed at the end of Capcom Cup Tokido wins EVO with Akuma Power of Anime is real
Aurkus23 I was actually happy to see him like this. Not because I like seeing someone hurt, but because he's usually so smug and cocksure about himself and how good he is, that this will humble him. And will be great character building. He will come back even stronger, and I look forward to this.
Punk needs more life experience. He was acting so childish all butt-hurt in front of the camera. I get it, but once you gain some life experience you can put that behind you and smile for the winner rather than dwell in your loss. I totally understand the heartbreak (I play chess competitively), but dude has to show a little more reserve.
Virtuoso1 Ehh I don't think you can knock him for that. There are plenty of grown athletes that cry like that in defeat on the big stage (Allen Iverson when getting eliminated, Josh Norman after losing the Super Bowl etc.). Those guys were much older than Punk and no one at all knocked them for it. People actually enjoyed seeing the emotion for the most part because it shows the passion. I'm not sure why we wouldn't feel the same way about Punk especially when he congratulated To kick immediately after the loss.
I have never seen someone use that EX DP into v-trigger 50/50 set up so well. Took the round and kept the pressure on Punk. Tokido is the Demon. Congrats Tokido-san, you are a legend!
Seeing Punk fall apart like that was really tragic. He pulled his weight through the first set, and even got to Winner's. Just goes to show that nerves are an enemy too.
Ive never rewound a RU-vid video so much, a PHENOMENAL match. Tokido deserved that after all he'd given to the game. Daigo might be a god but Tokido is a King, relatable, respectable and goddamed royalty! Love you Tokido, RIP Punk
You gotta give it out to punk, unlike the other USA players that people always make fun of and say USA is free (as a joke but it's true) He truly made us show that anyone can be the greatest/great at this game. Happy for both players. The speech from tokido was amazing.