Cabradilla makes waves at Tekken World Tour Finals 2024
By Guam Daily Post Staff - Feb 17, 2025
Guam Esports Federation member Adrian "Allidar" Cabradilla competed in the 2024 Tekken World Tour (TWT) finals in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, from Dec. 5-8.
Cabradilla competed as a regional qualifying representative for Oceania, scoring higher than New Zealand and Australia to compete on the world stage for Bandai Namco’s Tekken 8. His outstanding performance in Shibuya marks a noteworthy turning point for Guam and highlights its expanding prominence in global esports.
Cabradilla’s debut in the TWT Regional Finals Group Stage let the world know that Guam exists and has been grounds for world-class players to grow and shine. His group contained some of the best the world has to offer, specifically HG Esports’ Daniel "Danielmado" Madonia from Italy and FATE Esports’ Nauman "Numan Ch" Chaudhry from Pakistan. While not able to qualify out of his group stage, finishing fourth with one win and three losses, Cabradilla was able to compete in the TWT Finals Last Chance Qualifier.
After dominating his pool with several 2-0 wins, Cabradilla lost narrowly to T1's Park "Eyemusician" Min-hyung, one of the best Yoshimitsu players in the world – a speed bump in an otherwise historic run for Guam esports. Cabradilla had to face THY Esports’ Yuta "Chikurin" Take, former Tekken World Tour 2019 champion and EVO Japan 2024 champion, an event in which Cabradilla placed 33rd. Pushing through his limits, Cabradilla defeated Take with a 2-0 victory, cementing himself as the best Tekken player on Guam.
Cabradilla then defeated Japan’s Pistol_oizumi and Li R Li, both of whom had defeated elite opponents in their respective divisions. His reputation was further enhanced when he made it into the Top 32, where he faced off against the best Tekken 8 esports players. He ended his incredible journey with a strong performance against Team Liquid's Son "Qudans" Byeong-mun, former Tekken World Tour 2017 champion. Cabradilla finished 25th out of 561 entrants in the TWT 2024 Last Chance Qualifier.
Thinking back on his encounter, Cabradilla said, "It felt as though I was dreaming. Usually, all I would do is watch other players from all over the world play. That moment was incredible, especially now that I'm being broadcast and found by so many people.”
He stressed the value of confidence and mental preparedness when asked how he handles high-pressure situations.
“Normally, I just take a deep breath and go over my mental strategy again. I try my hardest to enter the game confident and strong,” he said.
Cabradilla voiced hope for the future while also acknowledging the need for more assistance to maintain top competition.
"I'm going to rest for the time being and prepare for the next fight. To tell the truth, both my spouse and I have been paying for these competition excursions. I'm hoping we can continue this enthusiasm with greater backing,” he said.
Cabradilla's run at the TWT 2024 is a historic milestone for the Guam fighting game and esports communities. His accomplishments have been praised by local groups that support competitive gaming as unmistakable proof that the region can produce top-tier gamers while also motivating the next generation of talent.
"What we've long believed is confirmed by Adrian's top-tier placement," Guam Esports Federation President Ken San Nicolas said. "We have outstanding athletes who possess the talent and motivation to succeed on a worldwide scale. We anticipate developing more athletes like Adrian 'Allidar' Cabradilla and growing our presence and impact in the esports industry, but this is only the beginning.”
Cabradilla's journey is a brilliant example of the development and promise of Guam in the realm of esports as the Tekken World Tour Finals 2024 drew to a close. His personal accomplishments will act as a spur, promoting increased competitive gaming engagement and indicating a promising future for Guam's representation at global tournaments.
Information was provided in a release from the Guam Esports Federation.
