Highlights
- Xiaohai’s wife, Elena, celebrated emotionally as he won the Street Fighter 6 tournament at the Esports World Cup.
- The couple’s heartwarming moment captured fans’ attention, sparking discussions about their relationship.
- The gamer thanked his wife in his victory speech, emphasizing her importance to his success.
Street Fighter champion Xiaohai’s recent victory at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was made even more memorable by the presence of his supportive wife, Elena.
As Xiaohai clinched the $300,000 first prize in a stunning 5-2 victory over rival Kawano, all eyes turned to the crowd where Elena’s emotional reaction stole the show.
I PROVED MYSELF 🗣️🗣️🗣️ #EsportsWorldCup @Xiaohai_ pic.twitter.com/n8eNaBiMuL
— Esports World Cup (@EWC_EN) August 11, 2024
A Touching Display Of Support
Elena’s enthusiastic cheering and tears of joy quickly caught the attention of viewers and fans alike.
Her genuine emotion was on full display as she jumped and celebrated from the audience, clearly overwhelmed by her husband’s achievement.
The tournament organizers, recognizing the special moment, invited Elena to join Xiaohai on stage, creating a heartwarming scene that resonated with viewers worldwide.
The couple’s moment in the spotlight didn’t go unnoticed by fans.
Damn, Xiaohai won for his wife. Unbelievable. He found the strength of belief to win because of his lady.
— Tiso Spencer (@SuperTiso) August 11, 2024
His speech has inspired me to consider competing in fighting games again, regardless of my age. pic.twitter.com/y9FCcfBGIF
Social media platforms, particularly Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), were flooded with comments praising both Xiaohai’s skills and the couple’s relationship.
One fan wrote, “I became a fan! His victory speech was moving and I appreciated both that he wanted to answer most questions in English and that he answered the question about his wife in Chinese. Congrats to Xiaohai!”
Another fan humorously noted, “The waifu buff is real guys. Congratz to him though, this guy is so good.”
Xiaohai’s Heartfelt Acknowledgment
In his victory speech, Xiaohai expressed his gratitude to Elena.
Congrats to the Street fight tournament champion and to his wife.
— Saudi On Demand (@SaudiTVEN) August 11, 2024
#xiaohai | #ESportsWorldCup | #Qiddiya | #SaudiArabia | #Riyadh pic.twitter.com/2L69s9U4Pk
He said,
“I am really thankful that my wife can be here today. Many people thought she was just with me for a holiday or traveling. But she’s here representing my love. I am very happy to win and give her this moment.”
What a great couple!
Just So You Know
- Xiaohai’s nickname means “little child” in Chinese. He earned this moniker for his ability to defeat older players at a very young age, showcasing his prodigious talent in fighting games.
- According to fellow player Chris Hu, Xiaohai’s father played a significant role in his early gaming career. He would actively coach him in Chinese arcades, sometimes using intense methods to improve his skills.
- His favorite game in the King of Fighters series is The King of Fighters XIII, which he won at EVO 2014, cementing his status as one of the greatest KOF players ever.
