The Esports Awards are an annual celebration of the best talent active in the world of competitive gaming. Across every category, there’s a chance to honour people from quite a few different games. Although, fighting game esports are sometimes a bit underrepresented compared to MOBAs. This year two exceptional Smash Bros players are competitors for the esports controller player of the year along with one of the breakout stars of Street Fighter 6!

Zain, AngryBird and Acola are being highlighted as some of the top controller players in Super Smash Bros and Street Fighter. Do they have what it takes to go all the way and win esports controller player of the year?

Fighting Game Players Nominated for Esports Controller Player of the Year

At the upcoming esports awards, a few fighting game esports players have made it to the nominations for esports controller player of the year. These are all of the nominees in this category.

Alexis “Zen” Bernier
Paco “HyDra” Rusiewiez
Zain “Zain” naghmi
Mathew “KiSMET” Tinsley
Mashita “Acola” Hayato
Amjad “AngryBird” Al-Shalabi
Finlay “Rise” Ferguson
Jack “ApparentlyJack” Benton
Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique
Phillip “ImperialHal” Dosen

なんかゲームのすごいやつの最終候補者に選ばれたらしい！！
他ゲーに疎い自分でも知ってるぐらい有名な選手ばっかりの中で投票の最終候補者に選ばれて嬉しいです〜
良ければ投票も是非お願いします！
（投票する場合メールアドレスが必要らしいです） https://t.co/6eNs3Q45iO

— ZETA/あcola (@acola_Lui) September 21, 2023

The two Smash Bros players have some pretty steep competition in this category. They’re up against Apex players and even AngryBird, one of the standout stars of the first year for Street Fighter 6. Both Acola and Zain have managed to push Smash forward considerably this year though. Both players are some of the best Smash players active. Zain has been on top for a few years now, dominating in Melee. However, acola is very much a breakout player more recently.

Source: Beyond the Summit

The Japanese Steve main has risen to even become ranked 1st in the world according to some rankings. These fighting game players definitely have a shot at esports controller player of the year. Although, competition is tight with all the other nominees too.