Yoki is one of the strongest female SC competitors in USA with several high level placements on big tournaments under her belt. She used to participate in NLBCs before the pandemic and currently is active online, attending tournaments regularly. She is also sponsored by Team DEUS.
Nickname: Yoki
Twitter: @Sophitia1990
Twitch: Sophitia90
Instagram: 1Bina90
Birth Year: 1990
Country: USA
If you had to introduce yourself in three sentences to some SoulCalibur player who didn’t know you, what would you say?
Hiiii!!! I’m Yoki and I am a die hard SoulCalibur fan! I am pretty shy at first and may seem antisocial when meeting new people but once I get comfortable, your ears will start to bleed. If you want to talk to me about anything besides SoulCalibur, you can feel safe with me ^_^.
What is the origin or meaning of your nickname?
Okay long story short, I couldn’t come up with a tag name so I decided to use my PSN which is Sophitia90 and I used to main Sophitia. When I changed my main to Seong Mina, confusion started to arise so I changed it to Yoki which is short for Yokasta (my name).
How did it happened you end up playing fighting games?
When I was 6 years old, my brother (5) and I were visiting our father in Puerto Rico. He dropped us off at his aunt’s house to visit where boredom was killing the both of us. I whined to my aunt so she took us to her son’s bedroom (he was at work at the time) and told us to play the Playstation. Ecstatic, I turned on the Playstation… Namco… My brother and I were blown away by the graphics, the music, and the characters.
Fast forward to October of 1999, it was brother’s birthday and he received Soul Blade as one of his birthday gifts. We both screamed and immediately started playing. Growing up my brother was my only training partner then realized I became super competitive and wanted to seek out stronger opponents.
During high school, I was offered a job at Best Buy for defeating all the employees that played SoulCalibur 3. I was trying to find the Calibur community during SC4 and SC5 but with limited social media access at the time, I did not know where to look. At last when SC6 released, I vowed to compete as many offline tournaments as I can.
Who do you main in SC6 and why?
I main “The Heart and Soul” girl Seong Mina! She has been my main since SoulBlade but along the way I used to play as the Alexandras except Patrokolos.
I can relate with Seong Mina whole-heartedly because she has an inferiority complex, is a tomboy, disobeys her father, she wants to do whats right for her country and refuses to get married. She is strong willed and a big crybaby but has a pure heart and wants to protect her friends and family. She fits my style of fighting which is hitting hard and out-spacing my opponents.
What is your opinion regarding SC6?
SoulCalibur6 is a must have! I was amazed to see how all the characters fighting styles are unique and different from each other which added more flare and excitement. Everybody is viable for the most part though there might be some hiccups here and there. Character creation is gorgeous and relaxing when you want to step out of the arena from time to time to get your creative juices flowing.
Fingers crossed for Season 3.
If you could change one single thing about SC6 what would that be?
To change the damage output.
What you consider to be your greatest SC6 achievement and why?
I made it top 16 at Defend the North major in NYC. Got 3rd in the First Attack major in Puerto Rico. A couple of 4th and 3rd places and one 2nd place at Next Level Battle Circuit located in NYC.
I am proud of these achievements because people are sleeping on up and coming new players. I became a threat to top players but I am still learning and it is a long journey before I can reach to their level hahaha.
Please answer a single question that you were not asked but you would like to answer!
For the women in the scene, do not worry about being intimidated by certain players.
There are always rotten apples in every scene. Focus on what makes you happy and if it’s kicking people’s butt then so be it. Do not give up, win or lose. Do not worry feeling inadequate, there are always down days even to the best top players. It is never an easy journey to reach where you want to be. Surround yourself with people who wants to see you grow and succeed.
I am where I am thanks to the majority of the people I met along the way who became my best friends and also consider them as family. My soul will burn always and forever! ^_^
Thanks for the interview!