Evo Moment 37 is the famous 2004 Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike exchange in which Daigo Umehara, playing Ken, parried all 15 hits of Justin Wong’s Chun-Li super attack, then counterattacked to win the round. The feat is remembered as the Daigo Parry—but it was also a calculated read of Wong’s likely move, not just a string of perfectly timed inputs.
What happened in Evo Moment 37?
The match took place on August 1, 2004, at Cal Poly Pomona, in the losers’ bracket final of Evo 2004’s Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike tournament. Daigo Umehara played Ken; Justin Wong played Chun-Li. The official Evo video description identifies the game and tournament, while ABC News’ 2016 retrospective gives the date and match context.
![Street Fighter III 3rd Strike: Fight for the Future (CapKore) [Japan Import]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51A1JXts3IL._SL160_.jpg)
![Street Fighter III 3rd Strike: Fight for the Future [Japan Import]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Do8hHj33L._SL160_.jpg)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Daigo was close to defeat, and Wong had a full super meter. Wong launched Chun-Li’s Super Art, an attack that could have ended the round. Daigo avoided every hit, then landed a combo that knocked Chun-Li out and secured the round. The name “Moment 37” is not a count of the hits: ABC News reports that organizer Ben Cureton chose a random two-digit number for the highlight, suggesting that Evo had many memorable moments.
How did Daigo parry Chun-Li’s super?
In 3rd Strike, a parry requires pressing the direction toward an incoming attack as it lands. Each successful parry avoids damage; blocking in this situation would still have caused chip damage, enough to finish Daigo. ABC News describes the timing window as four of 30 frames of the impact animation. That precise timing figure is the retrospective’s account, not a cited game-manual specification.
#1 Best Overall
- Officially licensed. Pixel Frames brings nostalgia to life with iconic moments from your favorite video games out of the screen and into your living room in 3D depth display!
- The foreground, midground, and background are layered and distanced to add depth within the shadowbox. Each layer is laser cut, then inserted into a foam backing that holds each popular scene at a different point of depth to add a 3D feel to 2D retro games.
- Constructed in a wooden frame with a plexiglass cover and built-in wall mount. Easily display your passion and memorable video game moments on walls and flat surfaces.
- Level up your home décor with Pixel Frames. Display in any room, wall or shelve. Perfect for all ages and genders. Perfect gift for kids, teen, adult. Art display for bedroom, living room, game gaming room
- Wong launched Chun-Li’s Super Art while Daigo had almost no health remaining.
- Daigo parried all 15 hits in succession, avoiding the damage that would have ended the round.
- He immediately converted the defense into a combo that knocked Chun-Li out and won the round.
A parry is a risk: the player must choose the correct direction and time the input. A mistimed attempt leaves the character open to the attack. Daigo’s sequence was especially striking because he committed to that narrow option under pressure.
Why was the parry more than a reaction test?
Daigo’s positioning and anticipation helped set up the execution. Capcom’s account of the match quotes commentator Seth Killian describing Daigo mirroring Wong’s movement: “Daigo is mirroring his actions. That’s not an accident. Daigo has made his play.” ABC News’ retrospective adds that Daigo stayed at full screen, anticipating Wong might choose the fast super to close out the round.
Rank #2
- COOPERATIVE GLOBETROTTING CAMPAIGN: Take control of iconic Street Fighter heroes in a narrative-driven adventure where players travel the world, face Shadaloo forces, and make choices that shape the unfolding story.
- COMBO-DRIVEN COMBAT SYSTEM: Build powerful attack chains using unique fighter abilities, modular card decks, and dice-based mechanics that let you unleash signature moves and devastating combos in battle.
- DEFEND AGAINST ICONIC VILLAINS: Fight through waves of minions and powerful bosses tied to M. Bison and The Four Kings, requiring teamwork, positioning, and strategy to overcome escalating threats.
- DEEP CHARACTER VARIETY: Choose from a roster of legendary fighters like Ryu and Chun-Li, each with distinct abilities, playstyles, and upgrade paths that create different tactical approaches every game.
- BRAWLING ACTION GAME: Build your combos, upgrade your abilities, and create your legend! Delve into a rich narrative fueled by years of Street Fighter history, where twists and turns ensue!
That context explains why the moment was not simply a long sequence of difficult inputs. Daigo read the situation, anticipated the attack and chose to parry rather than accept chip damage from blocking. The successful defense then gave him the opening to counterattack.
Why is it called “Moment 37”?
“Moment 37” is the highlight’s name, not the number of attacks Daigo parried. According to ABC News, organizer Ben Cureton selected a random two-digit number to evoke the many noteworthy moments at Evo. The sequence is also commonly called the Daigo Parry.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to remember about the Daigo Parry
- It happened in the losers’ bracket final of Evo 2004’s Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike tournament: Daigo Umehara’s Ken against Justin Wong’s Chun-Li.
- Wong’s Super Art threatened to end the round while Daigo had nearly no health.
- Daigo parried all 15 hits, then counterattacked to win the round.
- The achievement combined precise execution with anticipation and positioning.
- The “37” names the highlight; it does not describe the number of hits.
ABC News recorded commentator Seth Killian’s call as: “Daigo with the full parry, and then combo for the win! Evolution 2004! It’s madness! It’s unadulterated madness!” Guinness World Records reported 9,095,836 YouTube views as of March 3, 2020; that is a dated figure, not a current view count.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
