Matagi Snipers: A New Generation of Senior Gamers in Japan
Matagi Snipers, the first senior VALORANT team in Japan and the APAC region, is breaking stereotypes and defying age limits. With an average age of 67 and the oldest member being 75, this team proves that age is just a number. From its humble beginnings in 2021, with only 8 players selected out of 21 applicants, Matagi Snipers has now grown to a team of 16 members.
The team hails from Akita prefecture, which proudly declares itself as the “most energetic prefecture in Japan.” Akita prefecture is known for having the highest percentage of elderly residents in the entire country, projected to reach 49.9% by 2050, according to The Japan News.
But Matagi Snipers’ goals go beyond promoting health and preventing dementia among senior citizens. They aspire to be a team that is respected by their grandchildren, while building a community that bridges the generation gap.
While exploring different esports games like Apex Legends and Fortnite in the past, Matagi Snipers found their true passion in VALORANT. Their gameplay clips shared on Twitter caught the attention of the Japanese gaming community.
In one clip, NAGI, a 63-year-old junior player from Matagi Snipers, showcased exceptional skills with an impressive clutch 1v1 on the A-site of the Ascent map. Another clip highlighted the abilities of mark25, a 67-year-old player who used Omen to strategically block specific areas of the map with smoke and blind opponents on the other side of the wall. Mark25 secured victory in a round by eliminating the remaining player while defending the A-site in Haven. Additionally, mark25 demonstrated outstanding defense skills on the Icebox map, securing a 13-3 victory.
The future will reveal if Matagi Snipers will compete in the official VALORANT Challengers tournament in Japan.
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The source of the article is from the blog anexartiti.gr