Street Fighter League Japan League F Day 1 Dominated By Kakeru Absence

Following an exciting opening day for Division S, Street Fighter League Japan Division F also got underway with a strong slate of matches.

Day One Matches – Division F

• Hiroshima Ixa vs. DetonatioN FocusMe

• Ibushigin vs. VARREL

• ZETA Division vs. Team REJECT

Hiroshima Ixa vs. DetonatioN FocusMe

Match Result: 30–10

Individual Matches:

• Acqua (JP: [0]) vs. John Takeuchi (Rashid: [2])

• Hibiki (Lily: [2]) vs. Nauman (Mai : [0])

• Adelie (Ed: [3]) vs. GO1 (Chun-Li: [2])

The day opened with two heavy-hitters. Hiroshima Ixa had a strong season last year, but entered this one without Hikaru, who transferred to ZETA Division. In his place, they fielded newcomer Adelie. Remarkably, the rookie Ed player was entrusted with the anchor role, showing the team’s confidence in him.

On the other side, DetonatioN FocusMe brought the experience of GO1, the Esports World Cup champion and a formidable Chun-Li specialist. After splitting the first two matches, everything came down to the anchor clash: the seasoned veteran versus the rising rookie. In a tense back-and-forth, Adelie stunned the crowd by defeating GO1, sealing a surprise victory for Hiroshima.

Coming right after Takagi’s shock win in Division S, the result highlighted how new names are already shaking up this season of SFL Japan.

Ibushigin vs. VARREL

Match Result: 10–30

Individual Matches :

• Torimeshi (Dhalsim: [2]) vs. Mizuha (Cammy: [1])

• 2BASSA (Juri: [0]) vs. Ts (Akuma: [2])

• Yanai (Bison: [0]) vs. Mago (Juri: [3])

The second set of the day was more straightforward. Torimeshi, coming off an excellent performance at the Esports World Cup, kept up his form by defeating VARREL’s Mizuha. But Ts responded for VARREL, using his prior league experience to overcome newcomer 2BASSA and level the score.

That set up a decisive anchor match between Yanai and veteran Mago. Known for his reputation as “September Mago,” the veteran lived up to the nickname. He dismantled Yanai with composure, securing both the match and vital points for VARREL.

ZETA Division vs. Team REJECT

Match Result: 10–30

Individual Matches:

• Momochi (Ed: [2]) vs. Leshar (Ed: [0])

• Higuchi (Guile: [0]) vs. Fuudo (Ed: [2])

• Hikaru (A.K.I.: [2]) vs. Tokido (Ken: [3])

The most anticipated clash of the day was unfortunately affected by ZETA Division missing a key player. Capcom Cup champion Kakeru, who had to withdraw from the Esports World Cup after falling ill in Saudi Arabia, was still recovering and unable to compete. With only three players available, ZETA faced an uphill battle.

Momochi tried to shoulder the responsibility, surprising many with a clean 2–0 win over Leshar. But REJECT struck back through Fuudo, who defeated Higuchi to even things up. That left the anchor showdown between Hikaru and Tokido. With a historically favorable record, Tokido once again proved too much for his younger opponent, clinching the win for REJECT.

It was a fine start to the season for REJECT, while ZETA will hope for Kakeru’s swift return to full strength.