These old folks from Japan can be just as good as your most experienced friends in Tekken. Maybe even better!
Using her signature character Panda, Yoshie Murabe, a 73-year-old Tekken 8 player, takes the crown in an elderly-exclusive tournament in Japan after beating a fellow 73-year-old, Sadayuki Kato, playing as King.
To give the game-loving old folks in Japan a taste of competitive esports experience, Care Esports arranged a tournament where residents from elderly care facilities can join a Tekken 8 tournament.
The said tournament featured eight participants, with ages ranging from 67 to 93. The tournament’s eldest players, Sanae Hattori and Yasuko Mori, both at 93, faced off in the first round, with Mori taking the win with her Steve Fox.
A well-broadcasted Tekken 8 Tournament for seniors
Referred to as the 11th Amigo Club Cup, the Tekken 8 tournament for the elderly came with a live coverage on YouTube. The livestream is complete with its own set of casters and interview portions, giving the viewers a glimpse of what the senior players think and feel during the tournament, pretty much like a major esports event.
The finals between Murabe and Kato turned out to be a dramatic one, after an intense rubber match where Murabe, having fewer health than Kato, clutched the match point with a few hits plus a well-timed Rage Art.
During one of Murabe’s post-fight interviews, the hosts asked her reason for playing Panda, a character with one of the lowest pick rates in the game. When someone beside her asked if it was because pandas are cute, she simply nodded with a smile.
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Age is just a number in esports
Despite the fact that both the esports scene and the gaming industry are thriving worldwide, it’s still fascinating to see older adults getting into some of today’s most popular games.
The tournament in Japan is not the only proof that elderly people can enjoy competitive gaming as well.
In Counter-Strike, there’s a team called the Silver Snipers, with its members having ages of at least 66 years old. Additionally, Valorant also welcomed the Matagi Snipers, its first senior team last year, consisting of players with an average age of 67.
And of course, who would forget Shirley Curry, aka the Skyrim Grandma, who gained fame for posting her videos playing Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim? As more tournaments and gaming platforms become easier for the elderly to access, it’s no surprise that this list will only continue to grow.
Stay tuned for more Tekken 8 news and updates here at esports.gg.
