How Did MenaRD Become A Street Fighter Champion?

Who is MenaRD and how did he become a Street Fighter 6 champion?
Saul Leonardo "MenaRD" Mena II is a veteran Street Fighter player from the Dominican Republic. No stranger to competition, in the first half of 2024, he has already won Red Bull Kumite and EVO Japan to cement himself as one of the world's best Street Fighter 6 players.
In this video, we explore MenaRD's playstyle, his signature character, Blanka, and learn about what it takes to be one of the best in the world.
How Did MenaRD Became A Champion With Street Fighter's Wildest Character?
Special thanks to MenaRD and Justin Wong for participating in this video.
MenaRD
Twitter: / _menard__
KZbin: / @saulmenard
Justin Wong
Twitter: / jwonggg
KZbin: / @jwonggg
0:00 - Introduction
1:13 - Red Bull Kumite
1:48 - MenaRD vs Broski
5:04 - Why MenaRD Doesn't Wear Headphones
6:01 - MenaRD vs Gachikun
7:22 - MenaRD vs Punk
9:03 - MenaRD vs Nuckledu
10:51 - Mindset & The Blanka Meta
13:59 - Competing for the Dominican Republic
15:42 - Outro
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#streetfighter #esports #fightinggames

[@redbullgaming]

Red Bull Kumite Champion to EVO Champion in 42 days... sheesh 🤯

[@richardcastillo9940]

🐂🐂💪🏾💪🏾🇩🇴🇩🇴

[@firstsecond3624]

Someone online said mena is the player that everyone that punk would be in sf6. I completely agree. Meaning everyone thought that punk would dominate sf6. But instead me a is winning everything and is consistently the top sf6 player

[@LuisFernandez-pz3tx]

😂😂😂

[@sharpblackr0se]

Glazing

[@omarcastillo4493]

Red Bull tiene suficiente demostración para patrocinar a Mena y que se convierta en su representante latino, uniéndose a los Bird, Gashikun, oíl King, bonchan entre otros.

[@Swyfts]

Hearing him talk you cant help but root for him. Def a real one.

[@Kusanagikaiser999]

MenaRD Is indeed the best in the world right now so proud of our Dominican champ el grande Toro de RD

[@extofer]

I don’t even play this game and just watched this video on a whim. He seems like a cool dude and very humble.

[@vOrbZv]

Mena got a zenkai boost from the belly rub

[@Sadeyo1]

Good job Menard! Well deserved victories.

[@sebastianrodriguez8692]

Proud my fellow dominican MenaRD is the champion. Lo mas duro!

[@jabengo]

This channel never misses video quality is always amazing and is always a good representation of whatever the topic is in gaming

[@Akshonesports]

Thanks :D

[@BadlndsBob]

I am a long time Blanka player - since the 1990s. Also, I have been a fan of Mena since SF5 because I liked Birdie. Later, I was glad to see him use Blanka in SF6. Then he started winning with him, that was just great. I really enjoyed this video because of the Blanka analysis, the Mena analysis and to hear Mena discuss his strategies. Great video. Thanks.

[@TheMrLeapFrog]

Watching him dominate Evo Japan is so impressive. Can't wait to see who can even compare to him in August at EVO 2024

[@georgesmith5201]

Not sure why there are still people out there thinking Mena is overrated or wins based on luck. He is undoubtedly one of, if not, the best in SF

[@umphreak9999]

I'm a super casual newb to watching high level fighting games, last years EVO Top 6 was the first esport event I ever watched (I've watched it several times since, one of my go to background videos) and even I can tell that's ridiculous. My first impression of him during that tourney was it seemed like (and i mean this in the best way possible) he wasn't even trying and almost took the dub. Like, he was up there mostly to entertain himself because if he took it too serious it'd be over too fast. Up there with no headphones and checking whatsapp in between rounds like it's a Tuesday afternoon

[@valsione38]

Because he is, pure max cheese, a win is a win, no problem, he's just boring to watch.

[@luisangeltremolrivas1771]

​@@umphreak9999I agree. He was so relax and having fun with the crow.

[@w.murphy233]

Boring yo watch for u of course. I'm not even a blanka player but I enjoy watching him playing blanka ​@@valsione38

[@heroicsquirrel3195]

Jealousy

[@akarabbit839]

this video gave me so much more respect for Mena, love this kinda video about pro players. would love to see more

[@hibikiazuma]

Ayoo thats me with the Dominican flag at 0:41 in the background lmao You know i was gonna be at EVO Japan 2024 to rep! lol

[@joandysuriel4582]

Thank for repping 🇩🇴❤🇯🇵

[@chunglehunt2266]

How he did it: 1: Turn on gaem. 2. Bractice 3. Bractice more 4: Enter tournament 5: Vin

[@eway128]

I saw myself in the crowd, great event, great video

[@Akshonesports]

Thanks!

[@DaCocoBrova]

Never heard MenaRD talk. Great vid!

[@Urotsukidoji2323]

Un duro ese menard🇩🇴🇩🇴💪🏿💪🏿🔥🔥

[@akilcharles3473]

As a Luke player I was impress by his level of skill with him in SFV and going into SF6. And as of lately I become evenly more impress by his level of Blanka and how well he played with him. The first time I witness him using Blanka was at CEO 2023 when he pick him up at finals against Nephew and it was an amazing event. I'm hoping to see him do well again at this years EVO 2024 and pull off another victory again.

[@yrag89]

Even as a spectator its hard to keep up with his blanka. Its so chaotic and unpredictable like how the character was made.

[@Vizorfam]

Another fighting game video ❤ Thanks akshon 😍

[@luisbazil878]

MenaRD is the man right now. Keep improving 👏👏👏

[@battlericky17]

MenaRD is an inspiration for my blanka

[@Kribaca117]

Unreal what a humble and kind person he is. Now I'm scared of this heroic icon dying. 😭

[@fhjunior6183]

Thanks for the vid

[@DannyTheBarGod]

This man is phenomenal

[@Maxler5795]

what made me scream in absolute fear was seeing that at evo he was sponsored by a company whoss headquarters where in my not only country, but city

[@angelruiz8299]

Popular? Clarord?

[@level3xfactor]

Mena the 🐐!

[@RyanNightTalks]

awesome

[@BradPrichard]

Mena seems like he's playing a different game, even compared to other top players.

[@xavierkrantz1098]

MenaRD is still the MAN

[@animefanforlife163]

Dang i was hoping to see you go over his evojapan games

[@MalvinRD]

sin duda el mejor del mundo RD #1

[@chococollects]

i love akshon

[@christopherlodge9065]

That was well put papa

[@DukeDaStreetfighter91]

Mena RD saw himself do it Training Consistence Confidence

[@TheGentleNoir]

Lived there for a few years. Not much opportunity for the locals. This is a big deal.

[@ReynaldoBencosme]

That's our champ, the bull!

[@marlopepitopapa7258]

LETS GO RD MY COUNTRY

[@steviebuilds1715]

Sonix has been in grand finals of his last 8 tournaments or something like that.

[@thebonuslvl7181]

big fish, small pond..

[@MrcocoRD]

MenaRD the best.

[@silvafangtv]

was this recorded before Evo Japan ?

[@DualWieldingDad]

Yes

[@silvafangtv]

@@DualWieldingDad damn unlucky this would have hit EVEN harder if it had the Evo win in

[@upperubberlos996]

Being sponsored and being able to play all day everyday will make you good at anything 😅

[@javicorde7710]

No

[@progguru97]

Plátano power babbyyyyyyyy

[@Shinku4949]

Every time he wins a round he gets a biscuit.

[@armorbearer9702]

(12:17) This is interesting. Instead of looking for counters, Japan players decide to play the new top character.

[@kadimusbaratheon7352]

This video is a bit late. Mena already won EVO Japan a few days ago. 😂😂😂

[@frensyjean-louis3726]

Let's goooooooo Blanka represent

[@GoldbondPowder]

From Luke to BlankaFighter6 Balanced

[@davidpimentel1445]

Training. Now the world dont move (credits)

[@qtong21]

How justin talk about punks complain sounds like "daddy, its not fair, do so something!!"

[@kalarse]

it is cool that Republica Dominicana currently have top players in the world on both SF6 and Smash Ult

[@feresoththedamned2688]

i saw mena i clicked frame 1

[@Cradien]

Eh regarding Mena's performance in Capcom Cup, he was in the group of death so he ended up in losers. He lost to Fuudo who is one of the all time greats of fighting games

[@w.murphy233]

Yea Fuudo is not joke

[@XxdontgiveadamXx]

Menu Rd

[@WestOfLee100]

By being good.

[@Farza2005]

Arab scene had a lot of good player teeken master latig etc and large scene but no coverage for us

[@iishyxvietxboyii1]

His next greatest battle will be… his weight.

[@tiberazur3]

Now if he just lost some weight he could operate even better xD

[@Wonderpalm1979]

He got gud. Duh.

[@washoywa]

VIVA EL PODER LATINO

[@adamesadames27]

🫡❤️🇩🇴🙌

[@MrReynoso562]

🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴

[@Doffy-wq1yl]

I thought DR was in the Caribbean or was the Caribbean apart of latin America

[@XxAziCodxX1]

The DR is in the Caribbean and is part of Latin America since the language they speak is Spanish but it’s also part of North America because of how geographically it’s located.

[@emanueldelacruz1101]

DR is the center of Latin America.

[@Doffy-wq1yl]

@@XxAziCodxX1 so it’s language oriented not geography

[@Doffy-wq1yl]

@@emanueldelacruz1101 I see I see

[@XxAziCodxX1]

@@emanueldelacruz1101 Not true its in the Caribbean sea its part of Latin America but its also part of North America.

[@JetEngine85]

The short answer would be, he won..

[@FM-ix9hk]

🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴

[@richardcastillo9940]

🐂🐂🐂🇩🇴🇩🇴💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@MrReynoso562]

Te dolió? La envidia te sale por los poros… me gusta verlo sufrir 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴

[@themonoloco8245]

Maybe he practiced could be wrong tho

[@OzonebxGaming]

Nerf Luke Blanka and Ken ASAP

[@Maacccc..]

yowww DJ khaled

[@MrReynoso562]

Pobre Jaimito 🤣🤣🤣🤣 tranquilo que tu país no lo verás en eso 🤡

[@NemSumeragi]

Mena plays better when he hears hate? It's time to be a Mena Hater (endearing)

[@Ramsey276one]

XD

[@jaimeguevara4542]

SEE You end August whit Akuma on board, thats loop it's so boring

[@kingtide1947]

Lame fighting style with Blanka. Might as well add Guile’s invisible throw

[@AntLeonardi01]

He beat tokido with birdie. That’s how. Nobody thought he was a champion until then. In SF6? I dunno probably had a lot to do with picking Blanka. That character is borderline broken. I bet they wind up lowering his health.

[@Mad_Martigen]

Blanka isn't broken at all. It's just that MenaRD is on another level as a Blanka player.

[@AntLeonardi01]

@@Mad_Martigen sure sure all the Japanese players are picking up Blanka because he’s perfectly balanced gotcha

[@emanueldelacruz1101]

​@@AntLeonardi01 they still losing

[@aaa-bm1fv]

​@@AntLeonardi01and all of then lost badly

[@DubStepnFool]

N all you have to do is not have sex, dont go out at all so sad

[@AdrianCHOY]

He really needs to diet

[@heroicsquirrel3195]

All he needs to do now is go on a freaking diet, he is one of my favourites to watch and listen to but he won’t last long if he’s too unhealthy

[@TheTourage]

Step 1, pick a broken character…

[@peacockmusicpage]

You guys are prisoners of the moment. MenaRD is overrated. I think he's top 10 at best right now.

[@nateolison7553]

This is terrible bait 😂

[@ginox_0736]

Really dude🤣

[@ginox_0736]

The man won 2 big tournaments back to back, full of top tier players and you're saying he's overrated and top 10 at best? Dude, come on

[@peacockmusicpage]

@@ginox_0736 he's overrated. He hasn't dominated the scene for 10+ years. Where do you rank him then?

[@ELFUICHE]

Don’t feed the troll.

[@skyuru]

Simple: because he is using cheat characters. its cheating because these characters need nerfed, its unbalanced, Blanka and Luke need the most nerf ever because they are bugged.

[@isaiahjars]

Haha bro shut up 😂

[@skyuru]

@@isaiahjars if you think that i will shut up because if you, you are dreaming very bad bro :D I dont shut up, cope! Hehe! ^^

[@jaimeguevara4542]

A punta de agarres y un muñequito, la verdad juega horrible, prefiero una buena pelea Ryu, Ken, esperemos que los japoneses retomen con Akuma porque la verdad este gordito aburre