Some history was made overseas in Japan earlier this month, as the Mie prefecture’s Care Esports Association hosted its 12th annual Care Esports Cup, bringing gaming to senior and elderly individuals to promote mental wellbeing.
In that tournament, 92-year-old Hisako Sakai achieved victory, becoming what could be the oldest player to win an esports tournament in recorded gaming history. Sakai’s win was recorded at the 12th annual Care Esports Cup earlier this week, as reported by Automaton.
The Care Esports Association is a group that aims to promote mental wellbeing and community among seniors through video game tournaments. The tournament runs semi-annually for players aged 60 and above. Earlier this year, the summer tournament saw Kuma main Yoshie Murabe take first place.
For the recent annual tournament, Sakai played as Claudio and faced fellow competitors, including 95-year-old Reiko Yokota. Despite the tough competition, Sakai’s Claudio ultimately secured the final victory in a three-hour streamed event.
Based in Japan’s Mie prefecture, the Care Esports Association promotes the health and wellbeing of senior citizens through the power of games. Tekken has been the core game of the tournament, and while Sakai’s technique might not rival top esports pros like Arslan Ash, she effectively used Claudio’s lunging attacks and long, arcing kicks to chip away at her opponents, leading her all the way to victory.
Sakai seemed more than happy to take her well-earned win home, marking an inspiring moment in senior esports history.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/147257/hisako-sakai-care-esports-cup-tekken-8
