[COSPLAY] Miss Chun-Li Cosplay Contest Ends Up With Zangief Cosplayer as the Winner

Street Fighter continues to punch its way into the hearts of fans, and at a recent event for the franchise’s latest installment, Street Fighter V, organizers added a twist to the mix.

They held a cosplay contest titled the “Miss Chun-Li” competition, inviting cosplayers to embody everyone’s favorite Chinese Interpol agent. But here’s the plot twist: the winner wasn’t who anyone expected—or was it?

The Competition Heats Up

The stage was set, and the competition was fierce. The lineup included big names like model and gamer Kayo Satoh, gravure model Yuka Kuramochi, and actress Mai Hino, all dressed to perfection as Chun-Li.

But amidst this lineup of talented women stood a wildcard: Taichi Shimizu, a cosplayer and bodybuilder who decided to flip the script entirely.

Instead of rocking Chun-Li’s signature buns and qipao, Shimizu channeled the raw, muscular energy of the “Red Cyclone” himself—Zangief.

Yes, you read that right. He hit the stage in full Zangief mode, complete with red tights, chest hair, and that iconic mohawk.

Against All Odds

How does a guy cosplaying as a beefy Russian grappler win a contest meant for Chun-Li cosplayers? It sounds like an impossible feat.

But Shimizu had an ace up his sleeve: the audience. While the other contestants dazzled with their elegance and charm, Shimizu stole the show with sheer charisma and a bold display of comedic brilliance.

The Crowd’s Champion

The contest gave each participant a chance to shine on stage, and while the crowd cheered for the glamorous women, it was Shimizu’s unexpected twist that truly captured their hearts.

There’s something about a muscular guy in red tights confidently strutting his stuff that resonates with fans, and the audience couldn’t get enough. By the time the votes were tallied, the result was clear.

And the Winner Is…

When the dust settled, the judges announced the winner, and it wasn’t one of the stunning Chun-Lis. It was none other than Taichi Shimizu—aka Zangief—who took home the title of Miss Chun-Li. Talk about an upset!

Congratulations, Mr. Taichi Shimizu. You didn’t just win a contest—you won the internet’s heart.

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Source: Kotaku