Meet Abdulaziz Al-Mohannadi - competitive Super Smash Bros. player in Qatar

Cassandra Pallagud

Content Writer

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Abdulaziz al mohannadi amm sogeking competitive super smash bros ssb player

Super Smash Bros. (SSB) is a popular platform fighting game that brings together iconic characters from multiple franchises into a battle extravaganza. The SSB community continues to thrive in Qatar with regular tournaments and events, as well as players from Qatar competing on a regional scale.

We caught up with Abdulaziz Al-Mohannadi, an active member of the SSB community who has participated in tournaments in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to talk about gaming, technique, and his e-sports journey.

ILQ: Please tell us about yourself and what you do.

Abdulaziz: I'm Abdulaziz Al-Mohannadi, also known as AMM or SOGEKING. I'm currently a Computer Science student at Qatar University, but in my free time, I am a competitive Super Smash Bros. Ultimate player.

ILQ: When did you start gaming?

Abdulaziz: Gaming for me started with the 7th generation of gaming consoles, which include the Xbox 360, PS3, and the Nintendo Wii. At first, it was casual and only limited to mobile games. However, I quickly developed my love for video games when I started playing on the Xbox 360 with my family members. I would say this was around when I was 8 years old. The most memorable games I grew up with were Minecraft and Pokémon.

ILQ: When and how did you start playing Super Smash Bros. competitively?

Abdulaziz Al-Mohannadi — Image credit: Team Mana

Abdulaziz: I've always been into Super Smash Bros. ever since the 3rd release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the Wii. I had always played it casually until I watched a live stream of a tournament being held in Qatar in 2018. Before this moment, I'd always thought there couldn't be a competitive Smash Bros. community in Qatar, but I was proven wrong.

I immediately signed up for the next event, and I've been going to almost every tournament since then. Just last month was the 6-year mark since that day.

ILQ: As per our research, you play the character Greninja. Can you tell us why?

Greninja Super Smash Bros — Image credit: Nintendo

Abdulaziz: When I joined the competitive scene in 2018, I had a few different characters that I would use, none of which were Greninja, since I was only just learning the game competitively. However, after a major improvement in my skills around 2020, I decided to pick up Greninja and drop all other characters. This decision is still very special to me because I've played Pokémon for as long as I can remember, and Greninja has always been one of my favourites in those games.

ILQ: Are there any other characters you like playing on SSB?

Abdulaziz: As a huge fan of the Super Smash Bros. series, I've always loved playing all the characters. However, Byleth is currently my favourite alternative option to Greninja.

ILQ: How would you describe your playstyle?

Abdulaziz: I like to describe my playstyle as Greninja-centered. Greninja is an unorthodox character that requires a mix of fast aggression, and patience at the same time.

Depending on the match-up, I'll either use Greninja's superior speed to get as close to my opponent as possible and play close-range or keep my distance while using his projectile shuriken.

ILQ: Are there any in-game strategies you use that you are willing to share with us?

SOGEKING YOU MADMAN

SOGEKING READS BASH LIKE A BOOK AND WINS THE SET IN PECULIAR FASHION💢🔥

TUNE IN HERE: https://t.co/Ki5zjYTxcM pic.twitter.com/fcoN1hKZR7
— Team Mana (@teammanagg) December 8, 2023

Abdulaziz: I like to use Greninja's superior movement capabilities to be as slippery and hard to hit as possible. Another strategy that has always been interesting to me is using the Hydro Pump on an opponent recovering off-stage and getting an easier knockout out of it.

ILQ: What advice would you give to those who would like to get better at the game?

Abdulaziz: Stick to one character you're comfortable with and always have a learning mindset rather than a winning one. You will face walls that will feel impossible to overcome, but if you don't give up, you will triumph. Personally, I've always stuck by these words: "Play to learn, and the wins come naturally."

ILQ: Can you tell us about the tournaments you have participated in?

AMM takes game one with a clean counter on his path to redeem himself versus Bash! 🔥🕹️💢 pic.twitter.com/cUWTjuTUkw
— Team Mana (@teammanagg) May 27, 2023

Abdulaziz: All of the tournaments I have attended in Qatar are hosted by SSBQ (Super Smash Bros. Qatar), which is now part of Team Mana. All of these tournaments are amazingly organized by SSBQ/Team Mana members and provide the best conditions for the competition.

On special occasions, I also like to attend out-of-region tournaments, some of which I have attended in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

ILQ: Do you do training or pre-match rituals to prepare for tournaments?

Abdulaziz: Before most tournaments, I like to gather for a few days with some of the best players in Qatar and practice the game. I also do some match-reviewing of the players I previously had trouble playing against.

To mentally prepare, I ensure I've slept well and eaten properly before a tournament, which greatly affects my performance.

ILQ: Are there any future tournaments you will be participating in?

Abdulaziz: Yes! I'll be participating in Geekdom 2024 on 23 February 2024, and in many more SSBQ bi-weeklies to come! I'm currently training and preparing for them, as always!

ILQ: Can you tell us about the e-sports scene in Qatar?

Abdulaziz: Despite many uncertainties, the e-sports scene in Qatar has a bright future. Many games and platforms are rising to light, and the events held each year for e-sports are getting bigger and bigger. People are giving e-sports more attention, and with that comes the urge to improve and make a bigger name for myself. I'm excited to see what the future of e-sports holds!

ILQ: Are there any gaming-related events you want to see in Qatar?

Abdulaziz: I would love to see more games being given chances to be in the competitive e-sports scene. Many niche games fall under the shadow of others, which becomes frustrating for the players of those games. I'd love for all e-sports communities to be given the chance to prosper, even if they might lack the resources to kickstart their events.

ILQ: Is there anything else you would like to share or let our readers know?

Abdulaziz: I'd personally like to encourage everyone reading this to give the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate community a chance! Many people write this game off as strictly casual, having never given it a fair chance. In the context of fighting games, SSB is unorthodox in many ways, yet it still holds its competitive aspect well. SSBQ is a welcoming community, and I'm sure the tight-knit relationships of the community members will also be apparent once you give us a visit!