Meet TheRogueBlader, the Champion of a 250+ player tournament

Fullerton First Strike was the biggest tournament ever held in the United States with over 250+ people showing up to compete in a double elimination tournament. To become champion, you had to win over 10+ matches. Two losses, and you're out.

This is how TheRogueBlader bested 250+ players to become the champion of this tournament.

Meet TheRogueBlader:

Hello everyone I am TheRogueBlader, before entering this tournament I had previously won 1st place at the local DukWho monthly tournament, and taken a month hiatus off of Beyblade due to a cooldown from the previous clubs season in which me, liliz and Boyblade had won a trios tourney and our club Xenith had taken 1st place. The day prior I had gotten 2nd at a local tourney of 30 people, feeling very good having warmed up for the big day. I spent that night with a friend at UC Fullerton where the tourney would take place and ended up not sleeping literally at all.

#1: “What was your mindset going to this event?”

 I am an emotional blader, meaning that I lose to myself and my mindset alot of the times. From the times I have won, I like to believe its always due to a few variables. Smiling and having fun, not overthinking, and not wondering about the result of winning or losing. Simply staying focused, in the zone, and having fun. This was my mindset throughout the entire tournament and I still struggle to tap into that mindset as much as I should be able too.

#2: “What was your deck lineup?” 

 My deck style has always been centered around my ace (Meteor Dragoon 7-60 L), and a solid versatile stamina type, and attacker. My ace is Meteor Dragoon 7-60 Level. A leftspin balance type capable of knocking out and equalizing against opponents. I have been using cobalt dragoon 7-60 level since November 2024 on the release of samurai saber and never looked back. Its a bey I have built an extremely strong emotional relationship, trust in, and belief in. Its a bey that represents a lot about me and one I call my partner just like Valt Aoi would to Valkyrie. My next bey is Wizard Rod 1-60 Free ball, my teammate Liliz’s “ace” that I have recently adopted. Its a strong stamina type that has a high skill floor allowing you to maneuver across the stadium with sweeps, slides drops, dodging and positioning yourself at different spots. Its 1-60 helps create defensive recoil against attacks, and aggressive recoil to separate itself against left-spins. My last slot is my reliable attack type Shark Scale 9-60 Rush. A solid versatile attack type that allows you to do any kind of attack launch in your arsenal with top tier stamina, and a good amount of stability. 

#3: “Is there any specific tech you use that’s exclusive to you?” 

    I try to practice different launch variations to improve my personal pool but mainly stick to a few simple launches, mainly the left-spin drop, right-spin slide, and long reverse as well as variants. I mainly use the string launcher, but have recently adopted the ripcord for specifically right-spin X side when using Shark Scale. I also like to call out special moves for some launches unique to myself. Including the flash launch, turbo shield, and axe launch. All referenced from Beyblade Burst. 

#4: “Which beyblade did you most believe in on your lineup” 

  The Beyblade I believed in most in my lineup was, as always, my ace Meteor Dragoon 7-60 Level. An arrogant side of me truly believes that when I am in the zone and i believe in my partner we can do anything. Granted i played against so many Wizard rod Hexas that day, dragoons worst matchup, and was able to extreme and ko many of them with my signature flash launch or leftspin drop. 

#5: “How did you feel going into the finals match”

  Going into the finals match I was honestly just feeling extremely excited and in the zone as I described earlier. All my friends were watching in the audience and I don't truly think I grasped how big this moment was until I left the tournament. The largest historic Beyblade tournament in North America. YugiiBoyyy was my finals opponent and he was a very strong Blader to play in the grand finale. All in all I'm proud to have this achievement under my belt, grateful for the success and charity money the tournament was able to raise thanks to all the amazing organizers like DVO and Jamcobs, and I'm only gonna get stronger from here.