FindMyFarms said:
Actually I'd say vanilla/super sf4 is Daigo in his prime. Before those 2 games he was never a consistent 1st placer in anything. He won that alpha 3 tourney but that was the only one, and it was before the game got figured out and became more popular.
And on a sidenote, Daigo is pushin 30, don't know why age is being made out to be a big deal. Fighting games take reflexes of course, but not to the extent of other genres. I don't see why "older" players can't remain relevant.
If he's not in his prime, he's still very close to it. He may have marginally worse reflexes, but his experience in SF is just so much greater. I think his ability to shift gears in matches, like he showed against Momochi, is a testament to that.
What is your definition of 'consistent 1st placer'? In large tournaments?
He won *two* Alpha 3 nationals when the game was still new. He won the Vampire Savior nationals way back, and in 2007 he won the Vampire Hunter tournament without really playing the game much anymore.
I think Daigo is the type who learns quickly, and his amazing fundamentals allows him to pick up a game and dominate it in the beginning. As time goes on, you see (1) Daigo playing relatively less of the game and (2) some people specializing and then taking over a game (e.g. BAS at Alpha 3, and KO/Kuroda at 3S). So, who knows what will happen in a few years, but as long as he is motivated to play, I think he can remain one of the best for quite some time.
