Guangzhou "Kid" Zeng Zhuojun's stunning comeback on the first day of the Esports World Cup! A complete record of his comeback victory over EVO champion Punk

existRiyadh, Saudi ArabiaThe event2025 eSports World CupOn the first day of the (Esports World Cup) competition, "Xiaohai," a legendary fighting game player from Guangzhou, China, participated.Zeng Zhuojun(Xiaohai) staged the most thrilling comeback victory of this tournament. (In the...)Street Fighter 6In the round of 16 of the event, he competed against the American athlete who had just won the EVO 2024 championship.Victor Woodley (Punk)In the ensuing showdown, "Kid," who had been struggling throughout the match, pulled off an incredible comeback at match point, sending the entire audience into a frenzy.

---

■ Ultimate Showdown: EVO Champion vs. China's Fighting God

This match, hailed as a "premature grand finale," attracted the attention of fighting game enthusiasts worldwide. Punk, the newly crowned EVO champion, chose to use the classic character Cammy in this match, while "Kid" surprisingly opted for a unique strategy that combined the character Mai Shiranui from the Fatal Fury DLC.

The match was intense from the start, with both players using highly mobile characters. Cammy's aggressive bursts and Mai's agile evasions created a breathtaking battle of offense and defense. Punk, with his masterful control of Cammy, maintained control of the game's pace, winning two consecutive rounds and pushing "Kid" to the brink.

---

■ Dramatic twist: Premature celebration leads to fatal mistake

In the crucial third round, Punk brought "Kid's" Mai to near-death with a precise combo, then unleashed his super move, "Killer Bee Spin." As the super move animation ended, Punk, believing he had wiped out Mai's last bit of health, immediately jumped from his seat to celebrate his victory—a moment captured by multiple cameras and becoming the first memorable scene of the tournament.

However, just when the audience thought the match was over, the big screen showed that Mai still had a sliver of health left, almost imperceptible to the naked eye! The game system did not declare a KO, and the match continued.

Punk rushed back to his seat after realizing his mistake, but it was too late. Not only had he wasted precious time with his celebratory actions, but his intense emotional turmoil made it difficult for him to calm down, causing a significant drop in the precision of his hand movements on the game controller. His normally practiced button presses and command inputs became erratic, resulting in distorted operation and an inability to input effective commands in time.

"Kid" displayed the ultimate mental fortitude of a champion, seizing the critical opportunity and calmly adjusting his tactics. At the moment Victor Woodley made a mistake, a precise "Rising Dragon Kick" counterattack landed squarely on Victor Woodley's Cammy, successfully depleting his opponent's health. As the game screen displayed a "KO" notification, Zeng Zhuojun, with this desperate counterattack, ultimately reversed the tide of the battle and won this crucial match.

---

■ The exciting moment after the victory

The moment the match ended, Zeng Zhuojun was stunned for a few seconds, seemingly not yet fully processing the fact that he had reversed the situation and won. After recovering, he gripped the controller tightly with both hands, his body trembling slightly, his face filled with unbelievable excitement—after all, he had faced a formidable opponent of EVO champion caliber, and had been at a disadvantage for a long time during the match, so the hard-won victory was unimaginable.

According to staff and spectators at the scene, Zeng Zhuojun remained deeply moved for a long time after the match. He frequently reviewed the game footage and discussed tactical choices with his team members, his excitement still palpable. This dramatic comeback became one of the most memorable battles of the first day of the eSports World Cup, repeatedly reposted and discussed by countless players and media outlets, further solidifying Zeng Zhuojun's reputation for adaptability and mental fortitude within the industry and among fans.

---

■ Post-match interview: "Kid" admits "My heart almost stopped"

In a post-match interview with the host, "Kid" still couldn't hide his excitement: "At that moment, I thought I had already lost. When I saw Punk stand up to celebrate, my heart almost stopped. But when I realized the match was still going on, I knew my chance had come. This might be the luckiest comeback of my career."

This victory not only propelled "Xiaohai" into the quarterfinals, but also caused a sensation in the international fighting game community. Renowned esports commentator James Chen stated on social media: "This is the most dramatic turn of events I've seen in a decade! Xiaohai has once again proven why he's called 'The Last Boss'."

---

■ A historic showdown: The origins of the two players

The rivalry between "Kid" and Punk dates back to the Street Fighter V era, with the two having clashed many times. As a top player of the new generation, Punk has always considered "Kid" one of his most desired opponents; while "Kid" stated in a pre-match interview: "Punk is currently the strongest SF6 player in the world, and I need to bring out my full potential."

This victory was not only a testament to skill, but also a display of exceptional mental fortitude. Esports psychology expert Dr. Michelle Yamamoto analyzed, "Punk's mistake demonstrates that even among top players, emotional management remains a crucial factor in determining victory. Xiaohai, on the other hand, showcased an unwavering professional spirit."

---

■ A historic moment for Chinese fighting games

As a landmark figure in the Chinese fighting game scene, "Xiaohai" Zeng Zhuojun has been competing on the international stage since 2007, and has appeared in [various competitions].King of FightersThey have won world championships in multiple games, including "Street Fighter." Their performance at this eSports World Cup once again demonstrates the strength of Chinese eSports players to the world.

After the match, the topic of #Xiaohai's comeback against Punk quickly became a trending topic on Weibo, with Chinese players leaving comments such as "This is why we always believe in kids," "I was so scared I almost had a heart attack," and "The pride of Chinese fighting games."

Further reading:

• Zhuge Liang devoted himself to the five Northern Expeditions
• Guangzhou kid Zeng Zhuojun: An inspiring legend from arcade to world champion
• Ma Huateng's triumph over adversity
• Seabiscuit: A Legendary American Racehorse – A Story of Struggle and Overcoming Odds