Smash Bros. Champ sorry I entered a tournament even though I was contagious

After courting controversy to play in a major Super Smash Bros. World-class competitor Juan “Hungrybox” Debiedma was able to take part in the tournament despite a serious illness over the weekend and has now apologized for his “incredibly selfish” decision.

“It goes without saying that I made a super mess today,” Debiedma wrote a message posted on Twitter on Sunday evening. “And it was incredibly selfish of me. I shouldn’t think I’m above the rules. Although I was convinced I didn’t have Covid, it was clear that I was sick in some way. Deciding to play or even go to the venue was a huge mistake.”

Corresponding a now-deleted tweetDebiedma woke up early Sunday morning and was vomiting blood while in Las Vegas, Nevada Doublea Super Smash Bros. “Supermajor” with over 1,300 players present. A subsequent trip to the ER revealed that Debiedma was sick with either Covid-19 (which he tested negative for via a take-home kit) or a bacterial infection of his throat and/or uvula.

“Now I have to play the losers bracket [Super Smash Bros. Melee] kind of,” Debiedma said at the time, seemingly ignoring that either possible diagnosis for his symptoms would be highly contagious to those around him. His flippant attitude sparked serious backlash on social media and concerns only grew when footage surfaced of a coughing Debiedma playing without a mask on Saturday afternoon.

Hours later, Debiedma deleted his original tweet and announced it was him disqualifies himself “for safety” and left the Double Down venue. He would eventually apologize that evening and promise not to “half-heartedly” push the Covid-19 masking protocols and encourage others to follow his lead.

“I hate just saying words and pretending that this will solve everything,” Debiedma added. “It doesn’t. So let my next actions speak for themselves. I’m sorry and I’ll be better.”

While it’s easy to blame Debiedma in this situation, it’s clear that the tournament should also have some responsibility. double downs official site notes that players should not attend the event if they felt ill and that everyone present should have worn masks at all times. Why weren’t any of these rules enforced, either in the case of Debiedma or in relation to the numerous people seen in the audience without masks?

kotaku contacted both Debiedma’s sponsor, Team Liquid, and Double Down organizers regarding the situation, but received no response prior to publication.

Honestly, it is irresponsible for an in-person event to be held where Covid-19 variants are still emerging around the world. And if you simply have to be with thousands of people in a crowded tournament venue, the least you can do is wear a mask to protect everyone else. In the face of immeasurable human ignorance, organizers must do everything possible to enforce precautionary measures when participants don’t do so of their own accord, even if it means turning away one of the best Super Smash Bros. players of all time.