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NuckleDu Had His Best Year Yet, Wants More in 2016
Team Liquid's Du "NuckleDu" Dang reflects on a tough but great run in 2015 and looks ahead to 2016.
Du "NuckleDu" Dang between games at Capcom Cup
© Robert Paul / http://rmpaul.com
Most 19-year-olds are still trying to figure out how to play the game of life. Team Liquid’s Du “NuckleDu” Dang, who doesn’t turn 20 until May, knows he’s lucky he gets to play Street Fighter for a living. In the short time he’s been playing Street Fighter IV, he’s gone from a kid who didn’t even like fighting games to a fully sponsored competitor who had the best professional year of his life in 2015. Looking back, NuckleDu accomplished big things in competitive gaming last year and he wants to do even better in 2016.
Pretty Good 2015
When asked what stood out the most about 2015, NuckleDu stated the obvious. He made Top 8 at Evo 2015 and qualified for Capcom Cup 2015. But his other accomplishments should also be noted. He won Apex 2015 in February, took third place at NorCal Regionals 2015, won Combo Breaker 2015, where he exorcised some of his competitive demons, and won both EGL Dallas 10K and Absolute Battle 6.
“Being able to represent America and Team Liquid was pretty memorable,” NuckleDu said. “2015 was probably the best year I’ve had.”
Through it all, NuckleDu has played hard and almost always looked cool, calm, and collected. He’s cool when he wears that stylish white Team Liquid jacket. He’s calm when he’s playing on stream and doesn’t let the world see how nervous he is while playing against the best USF4 competition in the world. He’s collected because he’s always so willing to spend time with admirers and fans.
In one particular case of generosity, NuckleDu hung out with a fan in Texas, even offering his hotel room as a place to stay. NuckleDu’s kindness was repaid in his favorite indulgence: a Christmas gift full of candy and a rare Yu-Gi-Oh card.
Du "NuckleDu" Dang competing at Capcom Cup 2015
© Robert Paul / http://rmpaul.com
Surviving the Grind
However, 2015 wasn’t the easiest year for him. He had plans to travel overseas for the first time, hoping to compete at Saigon Cup in Vietnam, where his family is originally from. That didn’t pan out and just before Combo Breaker 2015 in May, NuckleDu was involved in a car accident. The vehicle he was riding in was T-boned on his side, leaving NuckleDu with a severe back injury. Using a brace, he managed to play through Combo Breaker and win. In fact, he’s played through pain throughout the year and the damage is extensive enough that he may require preventative surgery for his long-term health.
Don’t worry; his injury isn’t life-threatening, and it clearly hasn’t prevented him from competing at a high level, and having a little fun along the way. At Capcom Cup, players were introduced through promo videos and many of them talked about how much they had prepared for the event and opponents. NuckleDu didn’t do anything out of the ordinary to prepare for his first match-up with Qanba Douyu’s Xiao Hai.
“Being on vacation in California helped,” he said. “I went to a few tournaments and I won a couple.”
Speaking about the days at PlayStation Experience before Capcom Cup, NuckleDu noticed many of the players seemed tense or wore their “game faces.” He didn't see it that way; NuckleDu wasn’t thinking about Capcom Cup at that point and was simply happy to be there, which helped with his nerves. NuckleDu didn’t overthink his gameplan and it appeared to work out in his favor early as he was the only American player to win a first round match at Capcom Cup.
Despite his success in 2015, NuckleDu is a fierce competitor and he wasn’t satisfied with his results.
“Once I reached Top 8 at Evo, I felt I could’ve done better. Once I reached Capcom Cup and I lost, I could’ve done better. Even though people said I did a lot this year, I feel like I could do more. I’m not satisfied at all. I’m always looking to do better,” NuckleDu said.
A Mysterious Future
Looking at 2016, the year is a little murky. In a time where there seems to be a divide between players who are ready to move on from USF4 and welcome Street Fighter V, NuckleDu still believes in USF4 and wants to continue to support the competition.
“I’m a little worried about Street Fighter V. I haven’t really found a character I like yet,” NuckleDu said. “It’s a little nerve-wracking to know I won’t have a character coming into Street Fighter V.”
His character of choice in USF4, Guile, is confirmed to be in Street Fighter V but Guile is not part of the launch roster and there’s no guarantee he’ll play the same as many of the classic characters have been retooled heavily in Street Fighter V.
What will remain a constant in 2016 is NuckleDu will remain the sole Street Fighter player with Team Liquid, calling the decision to re-sign with them a “no-brainer.” He plans on traveling more, possibly going overseas for the first time as he planned to do last year. And if NuckleDu could have one wish granted, he’d like to have a teammate. Traveling can get lonely when you’re the only player on your team.
Last year, Liquid|Du “NuckleDu” Dang had an incredible year by most competitive fighting game players’ standards. He’s hungry and wants more out of 2016. He wants to grow into a much more successful Street Fighter player with his sponsor by traveling more and finishing stronger at events. He also doesn’t want to leave his roots behind. NuckleDu could very well be one of the top players competing in Ultra Street Fighter IV and Street Fighter V. He’ll also need to balance his health in order to continue playing at the highest level. That’s a lot of weight on a 19-year-old’s shoulders but NuckleDu is no ordinary 19-year-old. Expect great things as he continues to mature as a professional and a Street Fighter player in 2016.
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