All Eyes ON NuckleDu As Capcom Cup Approaches

By Jeramie Bizzle

Capcom Cup, the Super Bowl of Street Fighter as some players may put it, is around the corner and some of the best players in the FGC are looking to win the big tourney. One player hopes to become a two-time champion, the first in the tournament's history.

Du “NuckleDu” Dang in a past profile video with E-League said that he wants to win the cup again to prove that the first time wasn’t a fluke. Between that tournament and the upcoming event, he has won Northern Fights Nationals and Dream Hack Montreal. But now the time is near where he has to defend his win from 2016 to prove that he is still top dog in the game.

He is not the only one looking to be a two-time cup winner. Ryota “Kazunoko” Inoue also has his eyes on the prize. Kazunoko is known for being the #1 ranked Cammy in the game and after placing third last year he hopes to climb back to the top.

If it comes down to these two, Dang and Inoue may be one of the best match-ups that can happen this year. Dang switches up his play-style between R. Mika and Guile, which can make it difficult sometimes for Cammy players as they have to be in close range to do damage.

What He Will Need To Do To Win?

Depending on the players and footage of is gameplay last year, if he uses Guile, sonic booms and flash kicks are the characters best friend, especially for characters that have to force their way in to attack.

If he uses Mika, like Zangief players, grabs will help rush opponents to the corner and pressures from the dropkicks into an EX-grab will help him get into the head of the player along with his teabag taunts. But when it comes down it, it’s about the reads and the patience game.

His Weakness

With the ability to adapt to an opponents play style, his weakness may not be in the game but with himself.

Feeling pressure to be the first to do anything can be stressful for any player. Fans saw how the pressure to be the first North American player became too much for Victor “PG Punk” Woodley at EVO. The best training for Dang is to go into Capcom cup like a regular tournament and treat it as such.

NuckleDu is coming in this year with more to prove than the other competitors who are either looking to repeat or to become first-time winners. Capcom Cup 2017 will be held again in Anaheim, CA Dec. 8-10. The event will broadcast on ESPN 2 and Twitch.