Guangzhou kid Zeng Zhuojun: An inspiring legend from arcade to world champion

In the history of Chinese e-sports, there is a person who has become a legend in the field of fighting games with his extraordinary talent and unremitting efforts. He is the one known as "Xiao Kid"Zeng Zhuojun, a professional gamer born in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. His story is full of inspiration, from a 6-year-old boy who first encountered arcade games in an arcade to becoming a multiple world champion, conquering the arenas of Japan, the United States and Saudi Arabia. Zeng Zhuojun's life is not only a microcosm of personal struggle, but also a reflection of China'seSportsA mirror of his rise. This article details his life and key events, categorizing his life by time period and presenting key milestones in a table format. Based on reliable sources, this article focuses on his early struggles, his entrepreneurial career, the challenges and achievements he faced, and the inspiration he left for future generations.

Zeng Zhuojun's success wasn't all smooth sailing. He faced his father's strict discipline, the frustrations of competition, and the ever-changing esports industry. But like so many inspiring stories, his perseverance led him from the streets of Guangzhou to the global stage. Let's explore his legendary life story one by one.

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Early life and family background

Zeng Zhuojun was born on April 26, 1989, in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, a vibrant and commercial city. At the time, China was in the midst of reform and opening up, and Guangzhou, as the gateway to southern China, was teeming with entertainment venues, including arcades. Zeng Zhuojun's father was a savvy businessman, and while his family was relatively well-off, he maintained a strict upbringing. From a young age, he displayed a love for games, which proved to be not only a natural instinct but also a turning point in his life.

According to records, Zeng Zhuojun's father initially had no objection to his gaming, even taking him to an arcade when he was six. This experience became a starting point for his later memories: "When I was six, my father took me to the arcade. At first, no one knew my name; they just called me Xiaohai because I was so young." This nickname, "Xiaohai," stayed with him throughout his life and became his gaming ID: Xiaohai. Guangzhou's Tianhe District was a hub for Chinese fighting game experts at the time, and arcades were bustling like arenas. It was here that Zeng Zhuojun began his arcade career.

Zeng Zhuojun's childhood wasn't all smooth sailing. His father, while supportive, was also very demanding. Once, when he was seven, he lost a game and his father slapped him over thirty times on the spot—not for playing the game, but for not being able to handle the loss. This "slapping" proved a turning point, teaching him the importance of persistence and practice. His father, a successful businessman, once bought him over a hundred game tokens, allowing him to practice to his heart's content. This family support enabled Zeng Zhuojun to dominate the Guangzhou arcade fighting scene by the age of nine. In an era before the internet, his fame spread through word of mouth, so many people didn't even know his real name, simply calling him "kid."

During this period, Zeng Zhuojun displayed exceptional talent. He not only played games but also studied techniques and observed how adults played them. From the King of Fighters series to Street Fighter, he quickly mastered core mechanics such as combos, reaction time, and psychological warfare. This early struggle mirrored the path of many successful individuals: starting with a passion that, through practice, became a skill.

「I have loved challenges since I was a child. Every time I lose, I will practice again and again until I win again."—— Zeng Zhuojun recalled her childhood during an interview.

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Exposure to Games and Early Achievement

Zeng Zhuojun's gaming journey began in arcades. He first entered an arcade at age six and became a local pro by nine. At 12, he competed in the inaugural King of Fighters 2000 tournament in Guangzhou and won, becoming China's youngest fighting game champion. His nickname changed from "Dongsheng Jishen" to "Little Kid," and his father began supervising his training. To perfect a single combo, he often practiced for over 20 hours straight.

His early successes instilled confidence, but also brought challenges. Guangzhou's arcades were teeming with skilled players, forcing him to constantly challenge the strongest. Once, he challenged an adult expert and won 137 consecutive games, creating a legendary feat. This was not only a technical triumph, but also a psychological breakthrough. Zeng Zhuojun recalled, "Beating up adults in the game taught me that age is no barrier."

These experiences laid the foundation for his career. From local competitions to national tournaments, he gradually rose to prominence. In 2007, he traveled abroad for the first time, competing in the Japanese Toukon (Toukon) competition, where he won the King of Fighters '98 event. This was the first time a Chinese player had won a world championship in a fighting game, and he shot to fame. Japanese players were so astonished that there were even rumors that his prowess deterred them from holding certain tournaments.

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Description of the time period of life stages

Zeng Zhuojun's life can be divided into several stages, each with key events and challenges that show his growth trajectory.

Childhood and Enlightenment (1989-2000)

This was Zeng Zhuojun's early years. Born in Guangzhou, his family supported his exploration of his interests. He encountered arcade games at the age of six, with his father taking him there and buying him game coins to encourage practice. However, his strict upbringing, like being slapped for losing, taught him resilience. By the age of nine, he had dominated the Guangzhou arcade scene, his reputation spreading. The challenge at this stage was balancing play and study. He often spent time in the arcade, neglecting school, but his father's guidance kept him focused on his skills. His achievements: becoming a local master, laying the foundation for success.

Youth and rising stage (2001-2007)

In 2001, 12-year-old Zeng Zhuojun burst onto the scene in local Guangzhou arcade tournaments, defeating numerous adult players with an astonishing winning streak, earning him the nickname "The Kid." His signature characters, Iori Yagami and Goro Daimon, became iconic, and he became known for his precise combos and predictive abilities.

At the age of 12, he won the Guangzhou King of Fighters 2000 championship, marking the beginning of his professional career. With his father overseeing his training, he practiced for hours daily. Challenges included facing adult opponents, the psychological pressure, and adapting to competing abroad. Winning the Japanese Fighting Drama Championship in 2007 was a high point, propelling him from China to the world. During this period, he transitioned from a "child" to a "fighting prodigy," but also faced questions: could his youth last?

In 2004, at the age of 15, he participated in the Douju Global Fighting Game Competition, becoming the youngest champion in the Chinese region and representing China in the competition in Japan. Although he ultimately failed to win the championship, his performance shocked the international fighting game community, earning him the title of "the future of Chinese fighting games."

years	Event Name	score	Remark
2001	Guangzhou Arcade Championship	champion	First appearance
2004	Douju China Qualifiers	champion	Youngest contestant
2005	Japanese Drama Finals	quarterfinals	International debut

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Adulthood and peak period (2008-2015)

As an adult, Zeng Zhuojun became a professional gamer, competing in international tournaments such as the King of Fighters 13 Championship at EVO 2014 in the United States and the Canada Cup 2013. The challenge was adapting to different game versions and opponent styles. He then transitioned to the Street Fighter series, showcasing his versatility. During this period, he set numerous records, including a legendary winning streak. His achievements: multiple world championships, and a representative figure in the Chinese fighting game industry.

Maturity and transformation stage (2016-2023)

As the esports industry boomed, Zeng Zhuojun became a live streamer, broadcasting on Douyu and Kuaishou. Challenges included aging, declining reaction times, and the pandemic's impact on competition. Yet, he persevered, training, and participating in online tournaments. In 2023, he faced off against Japanese legend Daigo Umehara, sparking a spark. During this time, he transitioned from a player to a mentor, inspiring young players.

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Return to glory and heritage

In 2020, Zeng Zhuojun returned as a coach, helping young Chinese players achieve success in international competitions. In 2022, he founded the "Kids Esports Academy," dedicated to cultivating a new generation of fighting game players and promoting the development of China's esports industry.

In 2023, at the age of 34, he made a comeback to participate in "EVO 2023". Although he did not win the championship, he defeated many rookies as a veteran, proving that he is still in his prime.

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Personal life and influence

Zeng Zhuojun is married with one son. He often says, "Gaming is my passion, but family is my home." He actively participates in charity activities and has opened free gaming training classes in Guangzhou to help children from low-income families get involved in esports.

His story was included in "Chinese Esports Personalities" and he was hailed as the "living fossil of Chinese fighting games."

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Recent and Legendary Stage (2024-Present)

In 2024, Zeng Zhuojun won the Street Fighter 6 championship at the Saudi Esports World Cup, shedding tears on stage. At 35, he proved that age is no barrier. The challenge was maintaining his form, but he triumphed through experience. His achievements: continuing to break records and becoming one of the greatest fighting game players in history.

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Important Milestones

years	event	describe	significance
1989	births	Born in Guangzhou	Starting point of life
1995	First contact with the game	Entered the game hall at the age of 6, with the support of his father	Interest Enlightenment
1998	Dominate the local area	Became an arcade master in Guangzhou at the age of 9	Early achievements
2001	First Champion	Won the Guangzhou King of Fighters 2000 championship at the age of 12	Youngest champion
2007	Japanese fighting drama wins the championship	King of Fighters '98 World Champion	China's first world championship
2013	Canada Cup champion	Street Fighter series victory	International recognition
2014	EVO Champion	King of Fighters 13 World Champion	Peak moment
2023	Duel with Daigo Umehara	Chinese and Japanese celebrities clash	Cultural Exchange
2024	Saudi World Cup champion	Street Fighter 6 wins the championship	Proof of age

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Challenges and achievements

Zeng Zhuojun's career journey has been fraught with challenges. He faced his father's strictness, powerful competitors, and industry shifts. In his early years, the Japanese frightened him so much that he "dared not hold any more competitions." But his achievements have been remarkable: multiple world championships and a legendary 137-game winning streak. He transitioned from arcade games to esports, becoming a live streamer and earning a stable income.

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Inspiration

Zeng Zhuojun's story inspires us: talent plus perseverance can overcome anything. From a young boy to a champion, he teaches young people: "Esports is becoming mainstream and attracting more young people." His struggles, like those of starting a business, emphasize practice and mindset. Regardless of age, dreams can be pursued.