On Thursday, February 13, 2025, Dominican Republic fighting game pro MenaRD (@_MenaRD__) posted a challenge in Japanese to Japanese fighting game legend Umehara (@daigothebeastJP) on X.
"It would be the greatest honor of my competitive career to have a first-to-10 set with Umehara," and "Since I will be taking up Umehara's valuable time, I promise to give my all and become the greatest rival I can be." His attitude of showing respect to Umehara while striving for the top is truly that of a samurai!
Posting a challenge publicly on social media is rare these days, and attention is focused on whether a one-on-one match outside of a tournament will materialize.
Full Text of MenaRD's Challenge to Umehara
ウメハラさんへ
こんにちは。お元気ですか?
今日はお伝えしたいことがあります。
ウメハラさんはストリートファイターで長いセットをやらせたら右に出る者はいない、史上最高の選手だと思っています。…— WBG MenaRD🇩🇴 (@_MenaRD__) February 13, 2025
The full Japanese text of the challenge MenaRD sent to Umehara is as follows:
From MenaRD's X accountウメハラさんへ
(To Mr. Umehara,)こんにちは。お元気ですか?
(Hello. How are you?)今日はお伝えしたいことがあります。
ウメハラさんはストリートファイターで長いセットをやらせたら右に出る者はいない、史上最高の選手だと思っています。
これまでの実績を見れば、プレイヤー対策ができているときのウメハラさんの理不尽なほどの強さが分かります。
(Today, I have something I want to tell you.
I believe you are the greatest player of all time when it comes to long sets in Street Fighter, second to none.
Looking at your past achievements, it's clear how unreasonably strong you are when you have player-specific counter-strategies.)ウメハラさんと10先させていただけたら、僕の競技人生でこれほど名誉なことはありません。
(It would be the greatest honor of my competitive career to have a first-to-10 set with you.)僕は昔から準備が重要と信じ、全力を尽くしてきました。
そんな僕たちがこの10先に数か月準備してから挑んだら、一体どこまで行けるのか——その可能性を考えずにはいられません。
(I have always believed in the importance of preparation and have given my all.
I can't help but wonder about the possibilities if we were to prepare for several months for this first-to-10 set.)今年でなくても、すぐでなくても構いません。
ただ、ウメハラさんのプレイに魅せられ、ストリートファイターに人生を捧げることを決めた者として、
共にこのゲームのさらなる高みを目指す機会をいただけないでしょうか。
(It doesn't have to be this year, or it doesn't have to be right away.
However, as someone who was captivated by your play and decided to dedicate my life to Street Fighter,
would you give me the opportunity to aim for even greater heights in this game together?)ウメハラさんの貴重な時間をいただく以上、
僕の持っている全てを発揮し、僕のなれる最大の強敵となることを約束します。
(Since I will be taking up your valuable time,
I promise to give my all and become the greatest rival I can be.)僕の準備はいつでもできています。
ウメハラさんの準備ができたら、教えてください。
(I am always prepared.
Please let me know when you are ready.)読んでいただき、ありがとうございました。
(Thank you so much for reading this.)メナより
(From Mena)
And he posted his words in English as well:
From MenaRD's X accountHello,
I hope you have been well. I want to confess that I firmly believe you are the best ever at preparing for long sets in Street Fighter. Your incredible record has proven just how impossibly strong you become when you prepare for a player.
It would be the greatest honor of my career if I had the opportunity to fight you in a first to 10. Since I was young, I have dedicated myself to preparation, and I wonder how far we could take it if we decided to focus on a single set between us for months.
It doesn’t have to be this year or anytime soon, but as someone who was inspired to dedicate my life to Street Fighter because of what you have done, I ask you to give me the chance to elevate the game alongside you.
I know this is a big request, to ask for so much of your time, but I promise that I would make it the toughest challenge I possibly can.
I will be ready whenever you deem it appropriate. Thank you for reading this.
To Daigo Umehara.
Who is MenaRD?
MenaRD is a professional player from the Dominican Republic who excels in the Street Fighter series and is active as a Red Bull athlete.
At the "Capcom Cup Finals," he defeated powerhouses like Xian, Kazunoko, Umehara, and Tokido one after another, becoming the first representative from the Dominican Republic to reach the Top 8.
Then, carrying the hopes of fighting game players in Central America, he defeated Itabashi Zangief and Nemo at "Capcom Cup 2017" to win the championship at 18 years old, earning approximately 28.4 million yen in prize money.
And last year at "EVO Japan 2024," he defeated formidable opponent Kakeru to win the Street Fighter 6 division!
His playing style involves using an official PlayStation controller as a pad player. He excels with unique characters like Birdie and Blanka, and his tactical close-range combat and unique, pressure-free offense have captivated audiences.
Throughout his brilliant career since the early days of competitive gaming, he has demonstrated a mature personality and professional mindset, growing into a leading esports player representing the Dominican Republic.
His achievements have also been recognized by the Presidential Palace of the Dominican Republic, and his X followers rapidly increased after winning Capcom Cup 2017.
As a rising star in Latin America, he has a significant presence in the global fighting game scene.
How will Umehara respond to the challenge from MenaRD, who has conquered the world? All eyes are on whether this first-to-10 match will come to fruition!
![EVO Japan 2024] Street Fighter 6 Winner is Bandits MenaRD! I was born in Dominica, but MenaRD thinks he was born in Japan.](https://i0.wp.com/uploads.saigacdn.com/2024/04/evojapan-2024-streetfighter-6-tournament-final-00-150x150.jpg "EVO Japan 2024] Street Fighter 6 Winner is Bandits MenaRD! I was born in Dominica, but MenaRD thinks he was born in Japan.")