Capcom Cup 12, the official world championship for Street Fighter 6, was held at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan from March 11 to 15, drawing a record 20,000 spectators. A Japanese player known as “Sahara,” making his professional debut, won the individual title and the $1 million grand prize.
“Until now, I’ve never had anything I could proudly tell my family and friends about. I’m so glad that I’ve finally achieved a result that I can be proud of: a victory,” Sahara said.
Sahara faced French player Kilzyou in the final, defeating him 5-1. The champion will move on to Capcom Cup 13 next season. He also qualified for the Esports World Cup 2026, the world’s largest esports event, set to take place in Saudi Arabia.
The Stage for the Capcom Cup Street Fighter 6 Tournament | Image: PR Times
The Capcom Cup
The Capcom Cup is an invitation-only tournament in which qualifiers from Capcom Pro Tour events compete on the world stage.
The championship featured 48 of the world’s top Street Fighter players. Of those, 16 advanced to the next stage, and four reached the semi-finals. The top four consisted entirely of young players, all born in the 2000s — including Japan’s Sahara and Higuchi, France’s Kilzyou and Chile’s Blaz, who was Capcom Cup 11’s runner-up.
Sahara won using the Street Fighter character Ed; Kilzyou came second with Mai and Cammy, while Blaz finished third with Sagat.
In the team competition, the Japanese team known as “Reject” claimed the top spot, resulting in a double home-team victory for Japan.
Sahara’s Winning Moment | Image: PR Times
Sahara’s Impressive Debut
Sahara first gained traction in the esports community in 2024 during a livestream with the VTuber Kuzuha, who was playing Street Fighter 6 and challenged the audience to battle him.
Among those that did, Sahara — an amateur at the time — stood out as a formidable opponent. Impressed by his skills, Kuzuha challenged him to face Kawano, a professional player representing the Japanese esports organization Good 8 Squad.
Sahara subsequently joined the Good 8 Squad pro team in 2025. He also received a recommendation from the Japan Esports Union and the “Rookie of the Year” award in the Street Fighter League tournament.
Sahara’s win at Capcom Cup 12 adds to his rapidly growing reputation as a rising star in the esports scene.
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Updated On March 18, 2026
