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Street Fighter legend Zeng “Xiaohai” Zhuojun has once again proven why his name is etched into fighting game history. The Chinese veteran claimed the Street Fighter 6 title at the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, pocketing $250,000 and securing back-to-back championships at the event. With this win, Xiaohai also handed KuaiShou Gaming their first EWC victory and pushed them higher in the Club Championship standings.

Champion vs. Prodigy

The grand finals set the stage for a generational clash. On one side, the defending champion, Xiaohai, cool and composed with years of experience. On the other, 15-year-old Chilean prodigy Derek “Blaz” Blaz, whose fearless run through the brackets had fans buzzing.

Xiaohai Street Fighter 6 Esports World Cup 2025

Image Credit: Esports World Cup

Both players carved through world-class competition to reach this point. Blaz went unbeaten in groups and knocked out names like Hiromiki “Itabashi Zangief” Kumada, YHC-Mochi, and Shin “Leshar” Moon-sup — the latter being especially impressive given Leshar’s consistency this year. Meanwhile, Xiaohai’s path wasn’t without drama. He performed a reverse sweep over Victor “Punk” Woodley, earned sweet revenge against his FATAL FURY rival Goichi “GO1” Kishida, and even demolished AngryBird’s Akuma to secure his spot in the final.

A Nail-Biting Grand Final

The grand finals kicked off with Xiaohai running M. Bison while Blaz went with his trusty Ryu. Early on, Blaz shocked the arena by storming to a 3–0 lead, leaving many wondering if the teen was about to dethrone the champ.

But Xiaohai wasn’t done. Switching to Mai Shiranui, a nod to his legendary FATAL FURY and KOF roots, he clawed his way back into the set. Blaz adjusted too, swapping Ryu for Ken, and the scoreboard tightened. Blaz even reached match point first, but Xiaohai, known for his ice-cold composure, forced a decider.

The final game went down to the wire. Blaz had the life lead, but Xiaohai pulled off a clutch combo into Critical Art, sealing the 5–4 victory and his second straight EWC crown.

Revenge, Comebacks, and Meta Shifts

Xiaohai’s win wasn’t just about resilience, it was about adaptability. Coming into 2025, many thought his focus on the new FATAL FURY game might have slowed his Street Fighter form. He skipped big events and only managed 5th–6th at Evo Las Vegas earlier in the year. But when it mattered most, he showed up.

Along the way, he avenged his FATAL FURY finals loss to GO1, silenced doubts about his form, and proved he could thrive under the long, high-pressure EWC format. It also didn’t hurt that the Elena update and the arrival of Sagat shook up the SF6 meta, creating a stage where Xiaohai’s mastery of multiple characters could shine.

We saw plenty of variety in the tournament:

  • Sagat made appearances through pugera and Kakeru.
  • Dhalsim and Kimberly showed new strength in the hands of YHC-Mochi and Matsu56.
  • And of course, Xiaohai’s use of Mai felt like destiny for a player who built his name on King of Fighters.

Blaz, EndingWalker, and the Next Generation

While Xiaohai took the trophy, Blaz’s run was arguably just as inspiring. The 15-year-old proved he wasn’t a one-off wonder, defeating decorated veterans and proving he belongs on the biggest stage.

He wasn’t the only young star to shine. EndingWalker dominated his group and even swept MenaRD 5–0 in the quarterfinals, a massive statement win against an Evo champion. Both he and Blaz also made waves by sticking to gamepads rather than the leverless controllers or fight sticks most pros swear by. It’s a good reminder that in SF6, it’s not about the gear, it’s about the player.

Club Championship and What’s Next

For KuaiShou Gaming, Xiaohai’s win was more than just a trophy. His results across EWC, including his FATAL FURY runner-up finish, brought in a massive 1,750 Club Championship points. That effort landed the team 9th place overall and a tidy $700,000 from the prize pool.

Xiaohai now heads into the rest of the season qualified for Capcom Cup 12, while the SF6 competitive calendar rolls on with the Ultimate Fighting Arena 2025 in France next month.

A Historic Repeat

With his second straight EWC win, Xiaohai joins an exclusive club of back-to-back champions in Riyadh, joining the likes of ULSAN in Tekken 8. His clutch comeback against Blaz will no doubt go down as one of the most electrifying finals in fighting game history.

At the end of it all, the message is clear: Xiaohai isn’t just still here, he’s still on top.