Last man left

Fighting in enclosed spaces has a long, eventful history paralleling the development of society. In ancient times, tribes battled all out, often leaving their ranks depleted. Losing forces were often taken as slaves, or simply wiped out. Eventually, societies developed military might, but in some cases were represented by a champion who was sent to best his opposite number as everyone else watched. Later on, fighting for entertainment became a way for the mighty to control the masses. In Roman times, the reigning Caesar would construct a magnificent coliseum large enough to stage full-scale battles in. These architectural wonders often had complex underground hydraulics to raise platoons of soldiers sent in to annihilate hapless slaves, prisoners and Christians.

In less ostentatious but equally abusive manner, rich land owners of the American colonial period found a way to make fighting more intimate for their entertainment. During gatherings, they would form a human circle in their parlors or living rooms. Then they would throw sacks over the heads of five or six African-American slaves, and make them fight each other blind. They would then bet on who would be the last man standing. This is one of the darker chapters in the history of boxing.

In martial arts, battles between masters of different schools (at times, to the death), were held until law enforcement eventually cracked down, and people came to their senses. Films and books have also lionized underground illegal mixed martial arts competitions. Some of the ones allegedly held in Asia were called kumite. Needless to say, these brutal fights among various disciplines were illegal.

Of course, mixed martial arts, in both realistic and fantastical versions, have been immortalized and popularized in video games. Mike Tyson was the first real-world sporting figure to have his own fighting game. In this era, kumite has taken on a different meaning. 

For the first time, Red Bull Kumite is taking its competition to the Philippines. The world’s largest “Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition” will hold its first regional elimination in the country on Sept. 29 at the Chaos Nightclub at the City of Dreams. Filipino entrants are required to pay the P250 entry fee and present a valid passport. Non-Filipino entries must pay the entry fee, present a valid passport, as well as a visa or other document justifying their stay in the Philippines. Only one winner will earn the right to join the final qualifier in Paris, France on Nov. 10. 

Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition was first launched in 2016 for the PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows and arcade games. Based on the popular game series, the side-scrolling fighting game starts the player off with sixteen characters, including four new ones. Players can choose which characters to send into one-on-one battle, adding skills along the way.

This is the fourth year of the giant e-sports tournament. National qualifiers have been taking place around the world since April, and will finish in October. Seven other countries including Japan, The United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Belgium likewise host pre-qualifiers that select winners who secure a slot for the Last Chance Qualifier in Paris. In Paris, 256 players will in turn battle for only two slots in the World Finals. The following day, Nov. 11, the two winners will clash in a series of head-to-head battles with 14 of the world’s best players invited by Red Bull.

Given the Filipinos’ intense love for e-games, the growing market in the country, and the rise of e-games as an Olympic sport, expect local gamers to make a mark at the world level in no time.