The world of esports witnessed a dominant performance on 11 May 2025 at the Evolution Championship Series known as Evo Japan 2025 by Dominican gamer Samuel “MenaRD” Mena. To win the event held at the Tokyo Big Sight East Exhibition Hall from Friday, 9 May to Sunday, 11 May, Mena defeated 7,194 competitors. The cash prize money win was US$12,070.54.
MenaRD becomes the first returning winner of the Evo Japan title in the history of the tournament. The Evo Japan defending champion was one of only three non-Japanese players to make it into the top eight.
This victory qualified Mena for the Capcom Championship that gathers the elite of the Street Fighter community. Capcom XII has a cash first prize award of US$1 million. The win in Tokyo also qualified him for the Esports World Cup with another millionaire prize award.
Mena RD claimed the Evo Japan 2025 title without dropping a single set. Mena RD’s biggest games came in back-to-back matches against last year’s fourth-place finisher Ryukichi, who he took down in a close 3-2 series in the upper bracket finals before cleaning house 3-1 to take home his second straight Evo Japan title.
Samuel “MenaRD” Mena’s victory at EVO Japan 2025 is yet another chapter in his ever-growing legacy. With numerous titles already under his belt, including the CEO Gaming Championships and the Super Smash Bros. World Championship, MenaRD continues to inspire a new generation of Dominican esports athletes.
“This season has been challenging, but the key is to always believe in yourself,” Mena stated after hoisting the trophy, as reported in Somos Pueblo. Another Dominican, Christopher “Bandits Caba” Rodriguez played well and ranked 17th.
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Sports Illustrated
Somos Pueblo
12 May 2025