Zackray returning to competitive Smash at Ultimate Wanted 4

After a nearly eight-month break from major Super Smash Bros. Ultimate competition, Japanese pro Sota “Zackray” Okada will make his grand return at Ultimate Wanted 4 in Paris, France on August 25.

Earlier in the year, Zackray made the decision to focus on competing in Pokémon UNITE, since that game will make its debut appearance at the Pokémon World Championships this year. However, after an oversleeping teammate ended his chances of qualifying for the World Championships, Zackray contemplated a shift back to Smash Ultimate. Now it looks like Zackray has made his decision.

Even while primarily playing Pokémon UNITE, he had still entered Ultimate locals throughout the year. However, Ultimate Wanted 4 will be Zackray’s first major since Kagaribi 6 in January. In addition, it will be his first international tournament since Smash Ultimate Summit 3 in August of 2021.

⭐️⭐️ UWANTED #4 ⭐️⭐️

📢 ANNOUNCEMENT !
🇯🇵 𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠 😱

They coming in France 🙏
🇯🇵 @Ssb4_Zackray @takeraketa @chibiT2169 @asimo_ssbu @syu_tolimar

🥳+ 600 Attendees

🗓️ 4 days Events :
– 1vs1
– 2vs2
– Ladder everyday
– Squad strike pic.twitter.com/tWfTefcfIt

— WANTED SSB : UW4 / 25-28 Août22 (@WantedSSB) August 7, 2022

What to expect from Zackray at Ultimate Wanted 4

In his only major tournament appearance of the year so far, Zackray overcame Naoto “ProtoBanham” Tsuji, Gakuto “Gackt” Ito, Yutaro “Paseriman” Naguro, and Shuto “Shuton” Moriya. In the process, he claimed first place at Kagaribi 6. Going forward, he’ll aim to re-assert his status as one of the best Smash players in Japan and the world.

Zackray will join a line-up of other top Japanese players at Ultimate Wanted 4. The roster from Japan includes Shuton, Takuma “Tea” Hirooka, Asimo, and Takeyoshi “takera” Okamoto. This event will also feature other competitors from outside of Europe, like Michael “Riddles” Kim, Santiago “Chag” Pérez Checchi, Jestise “MVD” Negron, Griffin “Fatality” Miller, and Juan “Skyjay” Pablo.

Ultimate Wanted 4 will be a platinum event for the 2022 Smash World Tour. It will be one of two European platinum events in the circuit, along with Vienna Challengers Arena 2022. VCA will take place in Vienna, Austria, from October 1-2.