{"id":2038,"date":"2019-12-05T14:42:59","date_gmt":"2019-12-05T14:42:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ginx.tv\/bugha-ascent-fortnite-world-cup-winner-worldwide-fame"},"modified":"2024-07-19T11:22:39","modified_gmt":"2024-07-19T11:22:39","slug":"bugha-ascent-fortnite-world-cup-winner-worldwide-fame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ginx.tv\/en\/fortnite\/bugha-ascent-fortnite-world-cup-winner-worldwide-fame","title":{"rendered":"Bugha\u2019s ascent to Fortnite World Cup winner and global fame"},"content":{"rendered":"

While Tyler “Ninja” Blevins has become the global face of Fortnite<\/a> to the masses, a new player ascended to become the figurehead of its competitive scene in 2019. <\/p>\n

Bugha, 16, is arguably the breakout esports star of the year, winning Fortnite’s first ever world cup and quickly achieving the kind of crossover fame very few players have managed.  <\/p>\n

While Fortnite’s first jump into esports may not have initially blown up like Epic Games hoped, Bugha’s ascent is the success story they’ll cling to for many seasons to come. Here’s the lowdown on his journey in 2019. <\/p>\n

Beginnings <\/h3>\n

Born 30 December 2002 in Pennsylvania, US, Bugha played Fortnite from the game’s original release on 21 July 2017. He found exposure as a Fortnite competitive player through gameplay montages on his YouTube channel. As attention around Fortnite’s entry into the competitive scene took off, notoriety around his skills grew too in January 2019.  <\/p>\n

On March 25, Bugha joined Los Angeles-based esports organisation Sentinels on their Fortnite roster. He joined many of his past teammates on the team, having competed with Nick “Aspect” McGuire and Owen “Animal” Wright in prior tournaments. His duos partner was also Cayden “Carose” Bradford who had signed up too.  <\/p>\n

Early success <\/h3>\n

\"Bugha
\nBugha lifting the Fortnite World Cup trophy (Picture: Getty) <\/span><\/p>\n

On April 24, Bugha officially qualified for the Fortnite World Cup Solo finals after emerging victorious at the World Cup Online Open Week one for North America East. He achieved the top prize of $4,000 after scoring 69 points, narrowly beating runner-up Daniel “Dubs” Paul Walsh. <\/p>\n

This was followed by a squad victory, with Animal and Aspect, at the Trio Cash Cup on 21 July 2019. They trounced the competition too, beating the runner-up squad with 121 points to their 108 points.  <\/p>\n

It was a strong sign for what was to come at the Fortnite World Cup, which took place merely a week later after this win. <\/p>\n

Fortnite World Cup victory<\/h3>\n

Taking place from 26-28 July, the first ever Fortnite World Cup took place at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, New York. The three-day sold-out event was attended by 19,000 fans, and featured a $30 million prize pool spread across a Creative competition, Duos and Solos. <\/p>\n

Competing in the latter, Bugha asserted his dominance quickly across the six games. After winning the first, he remained top of the leaderboard across the entirety. The only hiccup came in the second game, where Bugha was eliminated very early into the match.  <\/p>\n

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