FGC kids are right: Combo Breaker 2026 proves the next generation of professionals is here

Last weekend nuts. The biggest non-EVO offline tournament, Combo Breaker 2026reached its conclusion with Street Fighter 6 closing a very successful event. While Zeng “Xiao Hai” Zhuojun won the bracket and punched his ticket to both Capcom Cup 13 and the Esports World Cup, the FGC kids also came to the tournament to remind us that they are here to play.

I’m not just talking about the runner-up, Hinao. Another child with a tag LIGHTS 212 He also appeared and smoked his enemy completely. In the world of “hard fighting games,” we have these beacons of light that show us that it’s all a matter of thinking.

Not only that, but also to remind us that “FGC kids are good.”

If you were on Twitter during Combo Breaker 2026, you might have come across a tweet showing a 10-year-old playing the eponymous classic Ken. LIGHTS 212. His performance was broadcast to thousands of viewers, and boy, did he not disappoint.

This kid was punishing, doing Jinrai loops, and just playing the game at a very competitive level. He even won the set 2-0 against the Modern Juri player THE PLASMADRAGONwhich has sparked debates about modern versus unconventional control schemes as well. Now, I didn’t care about this argument because it’s not the point! The point is that a 10-year-old goes to tournaments and wins his sets.

Even the Japanese tournament broadcast was impressed with how THEBABYS212 played!

This means that fighting games still appeal to young children who prefer games like Roblox or Fortnite, and, moreover, those fighting games will live on as they will end up being the torchbearers of society after some decades.

If I’m going to talk about kids in FGC, it would be weird if I didn’t talk about Street Fighter 6 Combo Breaker 2026 Runner-up, Hinao. This child is the beast. I remember the first time I heard his name was when he won FightClub Championship VI Chengdu 2024, punching his ticket to Capcom Cup 12.

In that tournament, he used Ryu and beat the Evo champions Victor “Punk” Woodley again Hajime “Tokido” Taniguchi. He didn’t just beat them, he blasted them both, beating them 3-0 en route to the final.

After that, he won everything after resetting the bracket and playing a nail-biting final set against it Jojotaro. I remember watching the live stream and seeing him win over $7,000 USD for his activities. When it was time for him to lift the trophy, he had a problem lifting it because it was too heavy for him. This tournament was also his first international tournament.

Now, almost half a year later, Hinao took his second international championship at Combo Breaker 2026 and ended up second behind one of the greatest martial arts players alive, Xiao Hai.

If he’s been able to consistently place in the top 8 in his international tournaments, what’s stopping him from continuing to play fighting games?

Hinao has crazy powers. In her match against Xiao Hai in the grand finals, Hinao appeared to be upset and repeatedly put herself in a bad spot by flaming. Xiao Hai took advantage of this opportunity by playing very patiently and punishing Hinao’s mistakes. Xiao Hai played like a true veteran, which threw Hinao out of her rhythm, because Hinao often won her sets aggressively.

Despite his defeat, some veterans in the FGC still praise Hinao’s run. In a tweet, Yusuke “Momochi” Momochi he said he wished Hinao could hold his head high over his loss, because his running was still outstanding. He went on to say that seeing the youngsters doing very well in the competitions gave him the motivation not to be left behind.

The crowd also had Hinao’s back throughout the grand final. Everyone at Combo Breaker 2026 wanted Hinao to take the title. Now, this may just be because they are tired of seeing Mai on screen, or maybe they are tired of seeing Xiao Hai win, but there is a loud “Aww” from the audience after Xiao Hai successfully punishes Hinao for the win.

However, don’t get distracted: the audience still clapped for Xiao Hai and congratulated him.

Yes, you heard that right. Many fighting games today feature a character that represents the new generation. In my opinion, this started after the COVID when the players wanted Mashita “cleans” Hayato again Miya burst into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate place. They came out of nowhere and started winning super majors and taking names from the famous smash boys Leonardo “MkLeo” Lopez Perez again Tyler “Marss” Martins.

Then in October 2025, Reject established their Youth Division, with Hinao as a member. That same month, the organization sent Hinao to Chengdu to participate in the FightClub Championship VI Chengdu. However, we all know how that happens. Besides him, I don’t think any fighter of the new generation has reached the same heights as Hinao in Street Fighter 6.

However, in 2XKO, there is one. He’s bleeding. This kid, like Hinao, won a major medal at a very young age. Earlier this year, Frosty Faustings XVIII hosted a large number of 2XKO entrants in a tournament with over 900 entries in the match bracket. The one who reigned supreme? None other than Bleed.

In an interview with Riot, he stated that he wants to be “the beginning of a new generation of players in the FGC” and that at the end of his career, he wants to be “a pillar of the new generation.”

If you are not familiar with the phrase “children are good,” it means that the new generation will do well and will strive. In the context of FGC, this means that children are still playing fighting games despite other options. To put a positive view into a sentence, you can actually say that the history and future of FGC is in good hands, as young kids are taking the genre seriously and winning.

These kids grew up in a time when fighting games were very accessible. They are available on all consoles, and all they need is an internet connection to play against other people. It pains me to say this, but long gone are the days of going to the arcade where you line up your slots in the cabinets to see who’s next in line. Fighting games today allow players to hone their skills whenever they want.

With the way games are accessible today, this only increases the appeal of fighting games to the new generation. With the way Hinao and Bleed are doing, I’d be surprised if we don’t see a huge population increase in FGC in the near future. Not to mention, Street Fighter 6’s popularity in Japan has reached levels FGC has never heard of, and we know that’s where the monsters are.

FGC children are good and will continue to be good. As senior members of FGC, it is our responsibility to welcome them with open arms.