While filling out my entry into Bitmob.com's Street Fighter IV FightStick giveaway, I realized that my fondest memory is too long for the comment box. After all, memories always have greater meaning when the context is explained. Considering that I've been a part of the fighting game community for nearly half my life, the one memory I'd like to claim as my favorite is the reason that motivates me to wake up the next day to try my best at everything I do.

Anyone whose every wanted to compete in video games knows it takes skill to win. A lot of skill. Skill that only gets better over the course of years. Because of that, players grow to respect those with the most skill. Having lived in Northern California all my life, Street Fighter legend John Choi was the man with the most skill within my area. When I first started in the community, I would hear legends of a man whose offense is effective because of its efficiency. He would never throw out a move without meaning. He would topple foes for miles around. He was a legend I would see at every major tournament and see his amazing play first-hand. As a result, I would continue telling his legend to future generations.

The only thing that set Choi apart from other Street Fighter greats like Alex Valle, Justin Wong and Umehara Daigo is that title of world champion crowned at Evolution. Ever since Battle by the Bay (B3) in 1996, Choi has fallen short of that no. 1 spot on numerous occasions. As my hero, it's heart-breaking to see my regional hero come so close. This must be what the people of Chicago feel when the Cubs don't win the World Series.

Regardless, years went by without an international John Choi victory. By 2008, the state of the fighting game community was finally departing from the dark ages. Street Fighter IV and Tatsunoko vs. Capcom were just recently announced with ample beta testing going on throughout Japan. If there was one year to bookmark the end of a fighting game era, Evolution 2008 would be that fitting conclusion. The theme going into the event was "old vs. new." Capcom vs. SNK 2 and Super Street Fighter II: Turbo all suffered from a drop in the number of entries every year despite talent getting exponentially better. With the clock running down, it was time for someone to make that final clutch play that defines this era.

Expecting that clutch player being one of the Street Fighter veterans was almost asking too much. Being the time before companies reaching out to fighting game community and offering sponsorships and become professional gamers, all of the old school players progressed with real life. Many of them moved on to the real world of working and starting a family. There couldn't possibly be enough time for any of these guys to maintain their prime performance.

Choi was no exception. Out of the six billion plus people in the world, Choi clashed with the most difficult life problems all at once. Going into that summer, Choi was working and was about to finish up his MBA studies. Out of nowhere, life hit Choi harder than any ultra combo can ever do. Choi's father is diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer. At this point, winning Street Fighter is no longer an issue.

Oblivious at the time, I can only imagine how admirable Choi was. Knowing this now is like seeing Superman, a flawless being with incredible strength and wisdom, being brought down to the human level with the life of his most precious person hanging on the balance. While many people I know would break down at this point, Choi showed a lot of courage and supported his father going into a surgery.

Nine hours later, the operation was a success. Waiting for his father's recovery, days passed by where Choi could not prioritize work, school nor games over his father. That is until he wanted to walk a bit on the fifth day after surgery. I am not surprised to hear that Choi's father was just as strong-willed as his son when he wanted to be out of bed after a life-threatening operation. Days continued and his father's strength returned stunning doctors with a speedy recovery. Now that his father's hardest struggle ended, Choi was given permission to continue his own.

The week before Evolution 2008, Choi returned to his MBA studies and finished his final exam. He flew to Las Vegas the next day to compete among the world's best players at Evolution 2008. With newly found confidence and motivation, Choi captured two first place finishes in Capcom vs. SNK 2 and Super Street Fighter II: Turbo.

My hero finally did it. He showed me what heroes do. He showed everyone it is possible to break down past barriers. He showed that for one glorious moment that no one on this planet we call Earth is better than John Choi. But on the human level, he showed that anyone can be a hero. As long as we all have that overpowering sense of courage, commitment and motivation, we all can succeed in anything we do. 

Life throws curve balls at you but you learn to deal with it. That is exactly what my father did and what makes him so great. He doesn’t drink or smoke and exercises regularly, yet this happened to him. But he did not sit still and cry about it. He kept on trucking and fought with all his heart. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can not do something. I can win EVO, he can beat cancer, and you can do anything that you want in life. Life is a game and you are here to win. Now go out there and go for the win.
 - John Choi

---
The following are some sources I used as reference. I strongly suggest to people who are interested in the fighting game community to check these out
- "Where's the cheese?" John Choi; Shoryuken forums 8/12/08
- "Battle by the Bay Alpha2 footage (1of12)" YouTube uploaded 3/2/07 
- "Evo 2008 season wrap up" James Chen 9/6/08