Alexander Ardelean, aka WildPanda99, made his debut at his first major Street Fighter 6 tournament, competing under the guidance of coach Matthew Hixon, known in the FGC and esports communities as 99centMcFury. Playing as Zangief, Alexander showcased impressive skill and determination, finishing 257th out of 1,324 competitors with a record of 4-2. He was just one match away from facing one of the top Street Fighter 6 players in the world, MenaRD, who was in his bracket.

WildPanda99 shared his experience: "This was extremely fun, and I'm looking forward to reviewing my matches and improving for next year."

Coach Hixon emphasized his role in supporting Alexander through the event: "My job was to keep WildPanda99 focused on the task at hand—winning each match, set, and round—without getting overwhelmed by the tournament atmosphere. I checked him into his bracket, reported all his matches to the tournament organizer, and helped him with logistics like where he was sitting, making the experience as stress-free as possible."

Hixon also expressed hope for increased college participation in future fighting game tournaments: "Being one of the few D1-D3 colleges involved, I hope more colleges get involved to help grow the scene. See you next year at ComboBreaker."