MEXICAN Super Smash Bros player Leonardo “MkLeo” López Pérez took the first place spot last weekend at Genesis 8 – one of the biggest Super Smash Bros. tournaments on the planet – with a clean 3-0 win against William “Glutonny” Belaïd of France in the finals.
International competiton is now finally back on the cards again so eyes from around the world were watching the event in California over the weekend of April 15-17 as 1,959 players from around the globe battled it out in one of the biggest weekends in Super Smash Bros. history.
The Money Match
Before the main bracket even began, tensions were high. A challenge had been issued: a USD$1000 money match to decide who was the best at playing Ryu and Ken. On one side stood Cameron “Vendetta” Garrett – largely considered to be the best player in the West with the characters. On the other side stood Andrés “AndresFn” Fariñas, a noted player from Spain with phenomenal results under his belt.
The games were close, but it was clear who was the strongest. Vendetta won the best of 5 with a clean 3-1, and took home USD$1000 for his troubles.
Highlights
Coming in at first place was the legend himself, MKLeo. MKLeo has come back after missing first place at a few tournaments to steal the win from Europe’s best player, Gluttony. Landing in third was Edgar “Sparg0” Valdez, the rookie sensation from Mexico who has been capturing the hearts and minds of players from across the world.
Sparg0 stole the show with a big announcement: that he would be joining FaZe Clan; and even took the stage with the jersey for the first time at this tournament.
The tournament wasn’t without its upsets, however. Some of the greatest players in the world were absent from the top 20 – let alone the top 8.
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Gavin “Tweek” Dempsey, largely considered to be one of the top five players in the world, found himself placing at 33rd in a massive upset. Erik “ESAM” Lew was responsible for the knockout – another well regarded player who is currently ranked as the 14th best player internationally.
Meanwhile, Ikan, a Chicago legend who is relatively new to major tournaments, was making the ranks. Getting knocked into losers near the beginning of the tournament, he would quickly begin to go on a tear. He would first beat ESAM, who had just come off beating one of the best players in the world. Next, he would beat Brian “Cosmos” Kalu – who is currently ranked as the 22nd best. After that, he fought Yonni and won. Predicted to make 78th – Ikan would go on to make 9th at one of the biggest tournaments of the year, all with his favourite character: Ryu.
What’s next?
This tournament was one of the most significant in Smash history, with an array of newcomers coming up to make a name for themselves – as old legends sought to reaffirm their dominance. With so many upsets and big announcements, the future of Smash remains exciting and always changing.
We are nearly four years into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a competitive game, and yet we are on the verge of seeing yet another huge shift in the dominant players and metagame.
On April 22nd, the next major tournament will begin: Pound 2022. If there is one thing I’ve learnt from Genesis, it’s that anything can happen.
