Aussies go fighting at the Super Battle Opera

The weekend of August 4-5 this year saw several of the world’s best fighting game players gather for the annual Super Battle Opera (SBO) tournament held in Narita, Japan, to determine the world’s best player in a variety of fighting games.

Australia sent representatives to compete in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Tekken Tag Tournament 2. Antony "Antman" Nguyen flew the green and gold, successfully defeating his first opponent, but was knocked out by his second, who finished equal third overall.

Despite the setbacks, Antman remained positive about the experience, thanking both the Japanese UMVC3 and Australian Shadowloo communities. He expressed a desire to continue training and to grow his local fighting games scene.

Aussie duo Mario "MMT" Theodorus and Andrew "Lucky Strikes" Kim fought their way through the Tekken Tag Tournament 2 bracket to the top eight, placing equal fifth alongside various Japanese teams. "Competing with some of the best in the world, representing your country, and going through to top eight is much more than I could have hoped for," said MMT.

SBO is an annual tournament that invites qualifying players and teams from all over the world to compete in various fighting games.