SBO Tougeki ‘08 3S Full report
As promised the Full report.
The night before the big day
Went to Game Sakura Inn and met up with Ino. He hooked me up with Inzai and Keeper for last chance qualifier. That “got boiled my blood” <– classic Jack quote LOL. I genuinely felt we had a chance. Keeper needs no introduction, and Inzai is a really really really good Chun. In fact Keeper, Inzai and Tokido were all high school classmates 
I’m guessing peer pressure made them all 3S gods.
The arcade was unusually packed, some big names showed in the final night before SBO 3S day. Chinta had numerous win streaks, as well as Yuki Otoko raping people left right centre. MOV showed up with his right hand in a cast and he was still playing SF4, although a bit hampered so no one batted an eyelid.
Finally saw the Chinese team, recognised and chatted with the Yun from past year but didn’t see much of them in action.
Players started disappearing to rest up for the big day ahead so no overnite session of course. I went back to the hotel and posted a quickie, sorry if it was misleading 
SBO day 2 Morning
On my way to the Differ venue, by chance met Justin Wong in the train station along with other American players. Got chatting a bit, about Australia and the OHN which he swept and wished him luck for the day before the WHOLE OF JAPAN boarded the train. I had no idea WTF was going on but within seconds it was filled to the brim. Upon reaching the station, I rushed to the venue after thanking Justin for directions, and met up with Keeper and Inzai. They are both very friendly and laidback, and we promptly signed up did the mandatory visit to the convenience store to stock up on drinks. Keeper did some investigation work, if we got through we will face either Nitto’s team or Tsubo’s team … he was that optimistic and looking far. Fingers crossed but luck wasn’t on our side as mentioned in previous post.
Once again I didn’t even get a chance to compete. I AM JINXED. Onto the qualifiers.
3S Last chance qualifiers
This event was something to behold. Dozens of great Japanese players who didn’t qualify, alongside hopeful foreigners and the anticipation of “will we get it” all adds up to the aura. For first-timers, it is VERY overwhelming so come prepared. Here’s a picture to give you an idea of the chaotic and tense situation.
SBO 2008 3S Last chance qualifier scene
In the draw for the 16 teams who will be eligible, it is broken up into 3 categories. 1st category “Gaijin priority” – teams consisting of all foreigners are given an edge. I counted a total of 6 foreign teams who were chosen for this category. 2nd category was Japanese players who missed out on top spot in the area qualifiers I believe, a bit unclear on this. The 3rd and last category was “Misc” <– basically anything goes, random selection of the remaining teams.
Once the 16 were finalised the matches started almost immediately. No time for wussies, players had to step up or lose-n-go-home. Highlights include Thanatos again!! becoming a 1-man noise machine LOL even while he’s playing. I apologise for misinformation, Sugiyama did not get through to Final 32. The match I witnessed where he OCV the opposition by doing repeated 3HP (b+fierce) corner juggles was in fact the 3rd placing match. He made those 1 frame execution look ridiculously easy. As only top 2 teams go through (Kashi/Mester/Kera + C13/Konitan/Youhei), he narrowly missed out as explained on his blog. Bracket again for your viewing pleasure.
SBO 2008 3S Last chance qualifier bracket
After the last chance qualifiers are done the machines are freed up to enable last minute practice for the main tournament. Kokujin was destroying everyone when I was up there watching. There were also many Elena players Hoi must have learnt a lot.
Hokuto Final 32
Onto the main events. I had no idea what’s going on during Hokuto matches but the crowd started chanted during what I presume was an infinite (kinda like Genei-Jin combos which run into 100+ hits OMFG). “Oi Oi Oi Oi Oi Oi Oi …. <miss> Awwwwwwwww … then connects again OiOiOiOiOi!!!!” Hahaha it was so fun to spectate as the entire crowd got into it but as players it must have sucked. I know nothing about this game.
KOF Final 32
The Heavy D Taiwan player was very good I saw something similiar to Dudley’s overhead into SA kinda combo. The Brian US footy guy also got the crowd going, it was doing some funky Zidane aerial headbutt but I really wasn’t paying attention. 3S was up next.
3S Final 32
This year was nuts. I thought last year could not be topped but this year once again witnessed crazy shit you have to see live in order to appreciate the game that is 3S. Before I start I have to say that Raoh’s hat is the mostest gayest item on the planet.
Differ venue view from 2nd floor
Some of the matches have been leaked so I will just provide tidbits of info.
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- KX nearly had Uraken … so clooooose
- Tokido was outplayed by Buta and collapsed dramatically on the floor
- Kokujin and Rikimaru were their usual goofy self
- They milked the camera whenever it was on them
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SBO 2008 3S Finals Bracket
After all is set and done, the 3S players headed to KSK’s Game-Vision for the overnight session and then to the SBO Party (videos by JWong 1 2 3) held by enterbrain on the following Monday. That concludes another fantastic year for 3S.
I actually ordered Ozhadou merchandise (T-shirts, mug and cap) intending to give away as souveniers and the chance to pimp Ozhadou to Japanese players. However Cafepress had to fuck up my order, so GG to Cafepress I have nothing to pimp.
The 3S reports for this year’s Tougeki unfortunately are pretty much lop-sided and biased, I didn’t visit the other popular arcades such as Mikado regularly, also didn’t play other international players as much. Nevertheless, see you guys next year!
OH Cap
