On the age of 92, Hisako Sakai made historical past when she claimed first place in a Tekken 8 match solely for gamers aged 65 and above, changing into one of many oldest esports champions on file. At 92 years outdated, Sakai defeated her opponents with composure, directing Claudio Serafino via the competitors. Demonstrating the gameplay that Care Esports designed to have a good time gaming amongst Japan’s aged inhabitants.
The Oldest Tekken Champion within the World Is 92, and She’s Simply Getting Began
The Care Esports Affiliation, based in 2019 throughout Japan’s pandemic lockdowns, has developed from internet hosting leisurely board video games like Shogi and Othello to facilitating aggressive tournaments that entice seniors from throughout three prefectures: Mie, Aichi, and Gifu. The twelfth biannual occasion hosted eight contributors spanning ages 67 to 95, with Sakai standing out amongst defending champion Yoshie Murabe, a 73-year-old who had received the earlier match.
Sakai’s path to victory was calculated. Earlier than the match, she publicly acknowledged her intention to win the trophy, and she or he backed these phrases with motion, eliminating rivals within the semifinals and securing the title in finals competitors.
Sakai’s achievement mirrors earlier tournaments that captured worldwide consideration. The eleventh iteration of Care Esports’ competitors in summer time 2025 noticed Murabe win along with her signature pink Panda character, defeating Sadayuki Kato in a best-of-three remaining that drew viewership far exceeding expectations. Kato, a 73-year-old King major, admitted to nervousness in the course of the broadcast, whereas Murabe expressed gratitude for the chance to compete.
The group’s official mission emphasizes utilizing esports as “a health-promoting sport that aids seniors in main vibrant, wholesome, and energetic lives” whereas establishing accessible gaming environments for older adults.
Remarkably, preventing video games like Tekken share cultural ancestry with skilled fight sports activities, titles from the arcade period helped encourage the creation of organizations like Ok-1, PRIDE, Pancrase, and eventually the UFC. For seniors in Care Esports tournaments, Tekken supplied that very same body of reference: two rivals, clear guidelines, and head-to-head competitors.
