Rise ‘N Grind, is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU) tournament that unfolded Oct. 13 – Oct. 15 at the Waco Convention Center in Waco, TX. Rise ‘N Grind also hosts other fighting games such as Super Smash Bros. Melee, Guilty Gear Strive, and Street Fighter 6.
The tournament featured over 712 entrants and notable attendees included Leonardo “MkLeo” Lopez, Gavin “Tweek” Dempsey, Samuel “Dabuz” Buzby, Pedro “Kurama” Alonso, and William “Glutonny” Belaïd and more.
With every tournament there is only ever one winner, it is a mountain climb for players to reach to Top 8 in the tournament. However, Miya was one of those players.
Miya, the rising Game & Watch player, had his break out in in Kagaribi 8, a major tournament in Japan, getting wins over Naoto “ProtoBanham” Tsuji and Shuto “Shuton” Moriya. Since then, Miya has been climbing the leaderboard and challenging top level players, Rise ‘N Grind was no different.
After claiming first place at Kagaribi 11, Oct 8. in Tokyo, Japan, less than one week later, Miya was in Waco, TX. to compete for another major win at Rise ‘N Grind 2023. Winning two tournaments in two different countries is unreal for some players, especially in such a short amount of time, but Miya seemed unfazed by it.
Miya cruised in the winners side of the tournament, and although Miya had yet to lose, Miya could not get too laxed, otherwise he would risk dropping a set and being sent to losers bracket.
Miya faced Antony “MuteAce” Hoo one of the best, if not the best, Peach player, for his first set in Top 8, winners semi-final. The two players clashed as they both dealt consistent pressure, long damaging combos, and an overall balance of neutral between the two competitors.
It definitely was not easy for Miya, as MuteAce was fighting back to try and get himself another game in the set but could not find his footing with Miya. As the set progressed, it seemed as if Miya was slowly figuring out MuteAce and not letting him get his combos or kill confirms off.
Miya would lose in a close game one but would take the set by winning the next three games in a convincing fashion.
His next opponent would be Bharat “Lima” Chintapalli, although not the most popular player, Lima’s skills with Bayonetta would earn him a set sweep over Glutonny, and a set against Miya in winners finals.
Although Miya would win the first two games against Lima, the set would get dicey as Lima would make a small comeback, putting the set at 2-2, and the winner would lock their seat in grand finals, and at the very least, 2nd place.
Lima would switch his passive Bayonetta playstyle in the first two games, to a more aggressive, dominating playstyle that would ensure him to win the next two games. With Lima taking such an early stock in game 5, practically making it a 3-2 stock game, it almost seemed doomed for Miya. However, Miya remained calm, and fought back with fercious intent to a last stock, game 5 situation and would clutch game 5 and take the set.
Despite having an incredibly close call with Lima, Miya was determined to remain focused and ensure that he would win this tournament. Miya ultimately wins game 5 and sends Lima to the losers bracket to face Glutonny in losers finals. The winner of that set would go on to face Miya in grand finals.
Glutonny was ready for Lima, sweeping their set in a clean 3-0 and advancing to grand finals against Miya. Glutonny, the best Wario player in the world would face Miya, arguably the best Game & Watch.
In order for Glutonny to win the tournament, he would have to win two sets, both best out of 5, against Miya, and Miya would just have to win one set. Both players locked in and had their eyes on the prize.
Grand finals began between two incredible players, unfortunately, only one player can win it all. Miya would strike first by winning a close first game. Glutonny would answer right back by winning game 2, unfortunately despite Glutonnys’ best efforts, Miya kept consistent pressure onto Glutonny, taking stock and stock, with surmountable damage given to Glutonny.
Game 2 would be the only game Glutonny would win as Miya would go on to win two more games, closing out the set, and securing himself a tournament victory. With so much pressure, Glutonny would accidentally self destruct in game 4, giving Miya the win he worked so hard for.
This makes Miya’s second major win, getting back-to-back majors, in Japan and in the United States. One week apart, and less than one week competing for both. Miya is looking like one of the best players in the world, and perhaps the best in Japan. Eyes are on Miya as he may go on to win three consecutive tournaments in a row.
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