Dreamhack Winner Has Emotional Interview Following Jigglypuff Win

So Dreamhack was this weekend--an international e-sports gaming tournament with games ranging from Call of Duty to League of Legends. By all accounts, it was quite the electrifying tournament, where tensions were high and the stakes, higher still. But in a weekend of victorious champions and broken dreams, there was one moment in particular I feel compelled to talk about--if only because it reminds me of that heartbreaking interview with Dyrus at this year’s League of Legends World Finals.

The eSports athlete in this case is Juan “Hungrybox” Debiedma, who plays Super Smash Brothers Melee competitively as… Jigglypuff. He’s known as the best Jigglypuff player in the world, and after the Dreamhack tournament, that oddly specific title can be broadened slightly, as he was the first American to ever win first place in an European Super Smash Brothers tournament. Following his victory, he gave an interview, which very quickly turned very personal.



Unfortunately, Juan’s father has recently passed away, and the two were not on terribly good terms, especially regarding Juan’s eSports career--apparently the late man told Juan he’d “Never be the best." In an emotional moment, he and the interviewer shared words, but it was fleeting. Juan quickly composed himself and the two continued to talk about the fight itself and Melee gameplay, but still, it was a stark reminder of just how personal this kind of thing can get.

Still, I think I speak for all of us when I say I’m sorry for his loss and I’m glad winning has given him some much-needed closure.

Oh, and, he decided to bring the giant novelty check home. Impractical, but any one of us would have done the same, considering. Good on ya, Hungrybox.