eSports Insider · Oct 23, 2025
Kakeru announces retirement from Street Fighter
Image credit: Stephanie LindgrenZETA Division’s Street Fighter player Kakeru ‘Kakeru‘ Watanabe has announced his retirement from competitive play.
The Capcom Cup 11 champion has cited a “neural dysfunction” behind the decision to stop competing.
Announced on social media, Kakeru’s decision to retire comes after two months of inactivity. In September, the player was due to compete as part of ZETA Division’s roster for the Street Fighter League Pro-JP 2025.
“The team and I have carefully discussed the possibilities for continuing my activities in the future, but I judged that it would be difficult to continue as a player,” said Kareku.