14-Year-Old Hinao Wins FightClub Chengdu to Close Out CPT Premiers

The premiers for the Capcom Pro Tour have officially wrapped up with the conclusion of FightClub Championship VI in Chengdu, where 14-year-old prodigy Hinao took home the championship.

The Luke and Ryu specialist, who recently joined the new REJECT Youth division, stunned fans with his performance, defeating several top veterans to claim his first major title. What makes his achievement even more remarkable is that Chengdu marked both his first overseas trip and his first international tournament appearance.

Hinao now joins the likes of Blaz and Craime as part of a new generation of teenage stars rapidly reshaping the Street Fighter 6 competitive scene.

His win also had a major impact on the global leaderboard, which is now locked following the final premier event. The biggest beneficiary was Punk, who finished third in Chengdu, earning enough points to climb to the top of the standings and secure his place at next year’s Capcom Cup.

Other players who made the cut include Momochi, Kobayan, Ryukichi, Dual Kevin, and Itabashi Zangief. Unfortunately, EndingWalker narrowly missed out on automatic qualification despite tying in points with Itazan, meaning he will have to fight his way through the regional finals for a chance at Capcom Cup.

With Hinao’s victory, there are now 23 players confirmed for Capcom Cup, with 25 slots still to be decided. Japan continues to dominate the field, boasting 11 qualified players already, with at least two more expected to qualify through the World Warrior circuit. That would bring the total to 13 Japanese representatives—14 if Kakeru had not retired earlier this month.

All eyes now turn to the Europe West Regional Finals, the next stop on the road to Capcom Cup.