Amjad 'AngryBird' Al-Shalabi celebrates with his trophy after winning top prize at Evo 2023. Photo: Evo
Amjad 'AngryBird' Al-Shalabi celebrates with his trophy after winning top prize at Evo 2023. Photo: Evo
Amjad 'AngryBird' Al-Shalabi celebrates with his trophy after winning top prize at Evo 2023. Photo: Evo
Amjad 'AngryBird' Al-Shalabi celebrates with his trophy after winning top prize at Evo 2023. Photo: Evo

Abu Dhabi resident wins international e-sports tournament Evo 2023


Faisal Salah
  • English
  • Arabic

Jordanian gamer Amjad "AngryBird" Al-Shalabi has won the top prize in the Street Fighter 6 competition at Evo 2023 in Las Vegas in the US.

Al-Shalabi, who is part of Abu Dhabi team Nasr Esports, reached the final after beating some of the best fighting game competitors in the world.

Using his favourite character Ken, Al-Shalabi faced Saul 'MenaRD' Leonardo from the Dominican Republic in the final. After four gruelling rounds, the Jordanian player won with a score of three sets to one.

Amjad 'AngryBird' Al-Shalabi falls to the ground and prays after winning at Evo 2023. Photo: Evo
Amjad 'AngryBird' Al-Shalabi falls to the ground and prays after winning at Evo 2023. Photo: Evo

The Evolution Championship Series, commonly known as Evo, kicked off its 2023 event in Las Vegas on Friday, with more than 9,000 competitors from across the world. The tournament ran for three days, as gamers were crowned for competing across eight games.

Speaking to The National ahead of the start of the tournament, Al-Shalabi said: “I’m so excited to compete in Evo because it’s the first year of Street Fighter 6 and it’s the most prestigious event of fighting games.”

Street Fighter 6, a fighting game produced by Japanese company Capcom, was released earlier this year. The title made its competitive debut at this year's Evo, making Al-Shalabi its first champion at the event.

After the win, Al-Shalabi took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to say: "I have been chasing this for so long and it finally happened. Do your best and the result is on Allah."

Al-Shalabi, alongside his Nasr Esports teammate Adel "Big Bird" Anouche, make up the duo known in fighting game circles as "The Birds".

Anouche made his mark on the scene in July when he won the top prize at the Red Bull Kumite competition in South Africa.

Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels

Tips for SMEs to cope
  • Adapt your business model. Make changes that are future-proof to the new normal
  • Make sure you have an online presence
  • Open communication with suppliers, especially if they are international. Look for local suppliers to avoid delivery delays
  • Open communication with customers to see how they are coping and be flexible about extending terms, etc
    Courtesy: Craig Moore, founder and CEO of Beehive, which provides term finance and working capital finance to SMEs. Only SMEs that have been trading for two years are eligible for funding from Beehive.
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The specs: Macan Turbo

Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Abu Dhabi GP schedule

Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm

Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm

Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Match info

Athletic Bilbao 0

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)

The specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: eight-speed PDK

Power: 630bhp

Torque: 820Nm

Price: Dh683,200

On sale: now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
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Updated: August 08, 2023, 4:07 AM`