Takuma “Tea” Hirooka and Seiseuke “Kome” Komeda have joined SG8 as its first Super Smash Bros. Ultimate players. SG8, or Susanoo Gaming 8, is a newly-formed esports organization based in Japan.
SG8 announced that Tea and Kome would join its ranks on Feb. 21, the same day it announced its formation. The organization sponsors competitors in many esports titles, as well as streamers. Currently, SG8 has teams in Street Fighter V, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, and Apex Legends, in addition to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Previously, Tea was the highest-ranked free agent in Smash Ultimate (a title he held for less than two days). Now, that title belongs to Kengo “KEN” Suzuki, another Japanese player. KEN is ranked No. 16 on the Fall 2019 PGRU.
SG8’s Tea and Kome
SG8 is the first professional esports organization to sponsor either Tea or Kome. These two players saw limited success in Smash 4. Kome was No. 84 on the PGR 100, and many players considered Tea one of Japan’s hidden bosses. However, both players have already found much greater success in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Tea is currently ranked No. 12 and is the best Pac-Man player in the world. He was extremely consistent last season, never placing below 9th at a major tournament. In addition, he boasted placements like 1st at Thunder Smash 3 and 2nd at 2GG: SwitchFest 2019. Tea had wins over Ezra Samsora Morris, Tyler “Marss” Martins, Enrique “Maister” Hernández Solís, and William “Glutonny” Belaid.
Kome is No. 25 on the current PGRU, making him the highest-ranked Shulk main in the world. The highlights of his Fall 2019 season included 1st at Sumabato SP 10 and 3rd at 2GG: SwitchFest 2019. Kome boasted wins against Marss, Sota “Zackray” Okada, Shuto “Shuton” Moriya, and Isami “T” Ikeda.
SG8’s inclusion of Tea and Kome is part of a growing trend of sponsorships for Smash players. On Feb. 21, Armada announced that Matt “Elegant” Fitzpatrick would join its esports team. As a result, five top-level Super Smash Bros. Ultimate players have been sponsored in the past three days. Including Melee players, that makes eight Smashers who have joined esports organizations since the beginning of February.
