After an exciting first week of Evo action, Week 2 saw even more competitors (4,620 entrants) enter the fray. Once again players fought for prize money and bragging rights, as well as a spot at the Evo 2021 Showcase in Las Vegas. Get to know the thirteen winners who you can look forward to seeing this fall.

Xyzzy - Guilty Gear Strive Asia

Country: South Korea

Main Character: Axl Low

Twitter: https://twitter.com/xyzzylshift

Guilty Gear Strive has attracted many newcomers like Lee “Xyzzy” Han-byul to the series. The South Korean pro finished Top 8 at major Street Fighter V tournaments such as SoCal Regionals, FTG Extreme Masters, and Red Bull Kumite from 2016-2018. After a three-year break, Xyzzy revitalized his career through Guilty Gear Strive at Evo 2021 Online. He advanced to Winner’s Finals in his first tournament before losing 3-0 against former Combo Breaker champion Daru. Xyzzy outlasted Kei “BNBBN” Komada in Loser’s Finals for the runback. The Axl main then took both Grand Finals sets 3-1 to avenge his only loss and win Evo Online.

Mr Peck - Skullgirls Europe

Country: United Kingdom

Main Characters (Team): Peacock/Robo-Fortune/Parasoul

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrPeckFGC

Skullgirls is noted for breakneck pace and 60-hit combo chains. It’s not every day you see zoning tactics, but Britain’s CT “Mr Peck” Matthews proved that they can be just as effective as rushdown resets. Mr Peck was a favorite going into the main event after winning the Evo side tournaments but qualified for Top 8 on the Loser’s side. He locked in after that early loss, soundly defeating Gone2Heaven and Izzmo to advance to Loser’s Finals against Denmark’s Magic. Mr Peck edged out the victory in a competitive 3-2, then moved on to Grand Finals against Russia’s Mr. Bors. Thanks to oppressive use of his Peacock-led tandem, Mr Peck easily reset the bracket 3-0 before winning the second set 3-1.

Kusanagi - Street Fighter V Latin America Central

Country: Mexico

Main Character: Sakura

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kusanagifgc

Antonio “Kusanagi” Medrano has long been touted as one of Central America’s top Street Fighter players. He is credited as the player that made Sakura viable and can comfortably claim bragging rights after winning both Intel World Open and Evo Online for his region. Kusanagi convincingly defeated his two strongest rivals, Ricardo “Mono” Roman and Saul Leonardo “MenaRD” Mena II, in Top 8 winner’s side. The Mexican pro faced then Mono’s F.A.N.G. a second time in Grand Finals. Kusanagi quickly nullified his first dropped set with a 3-1 victory to close out the tournament.

HorusPaulin - Street Fighter V Latin America South

Country: Brazil

Main Character: Ed

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HorusPaulin

Paulo “HorusPaulin” Moura was relatively unknown globally in Street Fighter V. Nonetheless he qualified for Winner’s Side Top 8 at Evo Online, edging out Gust 2-1 to advance to Winner’s Finals against Diego “DARK” Lins. HorusPaulin was unphased in the face of a distinguished player and won 3-0. DARK ran it back and reset the bracket in Grand Finals after a close 3-2 set. The underdog shook off the loss to take three straight games for the championship.

Energie_Marduk - Tekken 7 Latin America Central

Country: Dominican Republic

Main Characters: Marduk, Fahkumram

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Energie_Marduk

Energie_Marduk is undoubtedly Central America’s top Tekken player. He was a heavy favorite to win Evo 2021 Online as the pro that built the Dominican Republic’s Tekken presence through results. His patented tackle was literally unstoppable throughout the entire bracket.

Energie_Marduk won all three of his Top 8 matches without dropping a single game. This was arguably the most dominant performance in all of Evo 2021 Online.

Sergie Mazter - Tekken 7 Latin America South

Country: Peru

Main Character: Kazuya

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SergieMazter

Peru produces top level Tekken players like Abel del Maestro, NeNe the Dragon, and Roynichi. Sergie Mazter is the latest Peruvian to rise to prominence after winning Evo 2021 Online. The Kazuya main went on a run to overtake drugzor, NeNe the Dragon, XD LA Maldita, and Jackson Five in the loser’s side of Top 8. The momentum continued in his Grand Finals match against tournament favorite Abel del Maestro. An onslaught of Electric Wind God Fists reset the bracket 3-2, while a right uppercut took home the title. Sergie’s upset over Abel del Maestro was one of the best matches from the entire event.

NinjaKilla - Mortal Kombat 11 North America

Country: USA

Main Characters: Liu Kang, Spawn

Twitter: https://twitter.com/212Ninjakilla

NinjaKilla started his legendary esports career as an online myth in Mortal Kombat X, so it is fitting that he put on a show at Evo 2021 Online. NinjaKilla was a heavy favorite going into the event. He lived up to every expectation and easily entered Top 8 on the Winner’s side. Hayatei fell to Ninjakilla’s Liu Kang 3-1, while the surprise Spawn pick from Ninjakilla narrowly beat Jueks 3-2 in Winner’s Finals. Jueks returned for Grand Finals, but struggled to defeat the American’s trademark Liu Kang in a 3-1 set.

Xian - Street Fighter V Asia South

Country: Singapore

Team/Sponsor: Team Razer

Main Character: Seth

Twitter: https://twitter.com/XianMSG

Singapore’s Kun “Xian” Ho is one of the most decorated Street Fighter players of all time. He won many SFIV tournaments, including Evo 2013 over the legendary Hajime “Tokido” Taniguchi. Xian continued his success in SFV through first-place finishes at events like Final Round, Thaiger Uppercut, and VSFighting. Xian is known for F.A.N.G. and Ibuki, but cruised into Winner’s Finals with Seth at Evo 2021 Online. He lost in a fantastic game 5 set against Malaysian player Quan Ban “Chuan” Chuan’s Guile. Xian immediately bounced back to win everything without dropping another game. Brandon and even Chuan were no match for Xian’s combo pressure.

Kawano - Street Fighter V Asia East

Country: Japan

Team/Sponsor: Good 8 Squad/Hitbox Arcade

Main Character: Kolin

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kawanoChannn

Kawano has only been active in the Street Fighter V community since 2019. It’s safe to say he was an underdog in a bracket that featured several former Evo champions. Kawano overcame veterans like Daigo Umehara, Tokido, and Yuseke “Momochi” Momochi en route to winner’s side Top 8. He even toppled his Good 8 Squad teammate Yu “Pugera” Tobinaga in Winner’s Semi-Finals then took down YHC-mochi, who is nearly twice his age, 3-1 in Winner’s Finals. YHC-mochi ran it back in Grand Finals for an exhilarating battle of new school vs. old school. Following a 3-2 bracket reset, Kawano paid back Mochi with a 3-2 victory of his own to become the second Kolin main to win Evo 2021 Online.

MoB - Tekken 7 Europe East

Country: Russia

Main Character: Lars

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lmg_MoB

MoB became the third Russian player to win an Evo 2021 Online event. The self-proclaimed Lars loyalist is a Russian Cup champion and is widely regarded as the country’s best player. He won Tekken 7 EU East without dropping a set. His only challenge was Why from Poland who fell 3-1 in Winner’s Semi-Finals and 3-2 in Grands. Look for MoB to make a big statement at the offline showcase in his first international tournament.

Super Akouma - Tekken 7 Europe West

Country: France

Team/Sponsor: CRaZY Esport

Main Character: Akuma

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SuperAkouma

Vincent “Super Akouma” Homan has been a top Tekken competitor since Tekken Tag Tournament 2 despite taking his gamertag from the iconic Street Fighter demon. He took his game to new heights when his namesake character was given a guest spot in Tekken 7’s roster, becoming the best player in Europe. Akouma was a heavy favorite to take the EU West regional at Evo 2021 Online, but fell into the loser’s bracket early. The best player in Europe literally went super to beat Guillaume “Gunni” Schiltz, Douglas “DougFromParis” Chazal, Germany’s Tetsu, Fuhito, and finally Joka for first place.

Receita Federal - Skullgirls Latin America

Country: Brazil

Team/Sponsor: Ultra Arcade

Main Characters (Team): Big Band/Double/Others

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MillerRobert1

Latin America’s Skullgirls community was largely unknown before Evo 2021 Online. This meant that nearly every competitor was introduced to the world on the FGC’s biggest stage. In what became a common theme for both weekends, Brazil held a heavy presence in the LATAM region for Skullgirls. Receita Federal became the fourth player from South America’s largest country to win an Evo 2021 Online event. They advanced through the tournament with a peculiar two-character composition of Big Band and Double. Their third character changed depending on the matchup. Receita Federal dominated the competition without losing a set.

Hotashi - Guilty Gear Strive North America

Country: USA

Team/Sponsor: Moist Esports

Main Character: Nagoriyuki

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hotashis

Guilty Gear Strive North America was by far the most popular tournament at Evo Online with over 2,200 entrants. Legendary players like Justin Wong, Steve “Lord Knight” Barthelemy, and Dominique “SonicFox” McLean highlighted the bracket, but low-key veteran Julian “Hotashi” Harris reigned supreme. Hotashi joined the community in 2015 through Guilty Gear Xrd, then became a regular Top 8 finisher. He even triumphed at Anime Ascension in 2019. Hotashi took 2020 off but returned in 2021 as if he never left. His best achievement yet might just be a 3-2 Evo 2021 Online Strive Grand Finals victory over SonicFox.