Rating:

DOC SHAKIB

Tournaments Entered:

21 (1st - 21st)

Highest Finish:

1st, Division One, 4 times

Lowest Finish:

2nd, Division Two, 10th Tournament

Rivals:

Lord Dilks, Mr Smith, Commander Graham,

Baron Von Hooton and Fireman Sam

Strongest Game:

Virtua Racing

Games Played:

226

Wins:

115 (51%)

Draws:

10 (5%)

Defeats:

99 (44%)

Memorable Mega Drive Moment:

18th Tournament

Vs Team Defunct

- Elitserien '96

Professor King and Doc Shakib made up "Team Awesome" for the 18th Championship Challenge; a team game knockout on the Swedish ice-hockey sim Elitserien '96. Against "Team Defunct" (Lord Dilks and Old Spice Lock) they battled in the first round and it was tensely tight, the score at 1-1, as the third period ebbed away towards a conclusion. Then, with twenty-three seconds remaining, Team Awesome broke through the defence and slammed the puck into the goal, before a third goal, with second remaining, killed the tie. The "dynamic duo" as Doc Shakib described them went on to win the competition.

Doc Shakib is the longest serving member of the Mega Drive Championships and the only person to have participated in every competition. His illustrious record has been turbulent; four Mega Drive Championship titles, represented his nation three times, one Knockout victory and twice relegated. For a long while he battled in the shadow of Lord Dilks and Mr Smith, but now, with his vast experience, he is firmly established as the man to beat at tournaments.

Rating:

LORD DILKS

Tournaments Entered:

18 (1st - 18th)

Highest Finish:

1st, Division One, 8 times

Lowest Finish:

3rd, Division One, 5th Tournament

Fierce Rival:

Mr Smith

Other Rivals:

Doc Shakib and Commander Graham

Strongest Game:

World Cup Italia '90

Games Played:

190

Wins:

130 (68%)

Draws:

9 (5%)

Defeats:

51 (27%)

Memorable Mega Drive Moment:

10th Tournament

Vs Sir Jackaman

- Pete Sampras Tennis

Recently promoted Sir Jackaman was getting a little bit above himself, however, his first tournament in Division One made him hit the ground with a thud. Lord Dilks, one of the tournament elite, was the master of Pete Sampras Tennis and when drawn to play the plucky newcomer, victory was expected, but it was the manner of the victory was incredible. Sir Jackaman was unable to get a single [tennis] point and the game was affectionately dubbed "the 24-0 match". Sir Jackaman went on to be relegated, while Lord Dilks would secure his fourth Mega Drive title.

Lord Dilks was one of the original three members and participated in all competitions until his domestic retirement at the 18th Tournament. His final appearance was in the 2008 European Mega Drive Championships, where he defeated Alberto Campos, on Pete Sampras Tennis, with an ace. World Cup Italia '90 and Pete Sampras Tennis were his strongest games, however, he possessed considerable abilities on an array of titles. His biggest rival was Mr Smith.

Rating:

BARON VON HOOTON

Tournaments Entered:

16 (3rd - 16th, 18th, 20th)

Highest Finish:

3rd, Division One, 4 times

Lowest Finish:

3rd, Division Two, 18th Tournament

Rivals:

Captain Maltby, Commander Graham

Doc Shakib, Lord Dilks and Sir Jackaman

Strongest Game:

Micro Machines '96

Games Played:

175

Wins:

57 (32%)

Draws:

10 (6%)

Defeats:

108 (62%)

Memorable Mega Drive Moment:

15th Tournament

Vs Captain Maltby

- Ball Jacks

At the foot of Division One, one man would be relegated and Captain Maltby seemed the logical choice. Baron Von Hooton had battled at the top for twelve tournaments and lay one-point ahead of his rival, with two-points to play for. Baron Von Hooton has narrowly escaped relegation at the 9th, 10th and 14th championships, but the 15th he was unable to avoid the drop. Unable to effectively command those treacherous bots, Captain Maltby saved his own skin at the expense of Baron Von Hooton, whose head fell in his hands with that bitter taste of defeated demotion.

Baron Von Hooton is the fallen giant of English Mega Drive Championshipary. Joining at the Third Tournament he battled among the elite (with reasonable success) for twelve tournaments before relegation condemned him to the lower league. Baron Von Hooton has made three attempts to return to Division One and, although finished in a promotion place at the 20th, has never taken that step back to the higher league. He has amassed many rivals over the years.

Rating:

MR SMITH

Tournaments Entered:

16 (1st - 16th)

Highest Finish:

1st, Division One, 8 times

Lowest Finish:

3rd, Division One, 7th Tournament

Fierce Rival:

Lord Dilks

Other Rivals:

Doc Shakib and Lieutenant Gareth

Strongest Game:

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Games Played:

163

Wins:

113 (69%)

Draws:

8 (5%)

Defeats:

42 (26%)

Memorable Mega Drive Moment:

1st Tournament

Vs Doc Shakib

- Sonic the Hedgehog 2

It was the idea of a race between Doc Shakib and Mr Smith on Sonic the Hedgehog 2, to see who was best, that inspired the Mega Drive Championships. The result of this fixture was completely unknown and a tight fight was expected, however, Mr Smith utterly savaged his opponent and secured a perfect 8-0 victory against his victim. This was the start of a still undefeated competitive streak on Sonic the Hedgehog 2 both domestically and internationally, spanning eight years and nearly fifty games. Occasionally when telling folk about his time in the tournaments they retort "I'll beat you on Sonic 2", oh how we laugh!!

Mr Smith was one of the three men who battled at the First Mega Drive Championship back in January 2001. He quickly showed himself as being the dominant player on Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and a competent professional on a plethora of other games. He had a long running rivalry with Lord Dilks, with the pair's duopoly virtually absolute in early competitions. Other than an occasional international appearance, Mr Smith retired domestically at the 16th Championship.

Rating:

CAPTAIN MALTBY

Tournaments Entered:

13 (2nd - 5th, 13th - 21st)

Highest Finish:

2nd, Division One, 17th Tournament

Lowest Finish:

2nd, Division Two, twice

Fierce Rival:

Lieutenant Gareth

Other Rivals:

Baron Von Hooton and Earl Holbrook

Strongest Game:

Streets of Rage 3

Games Played:

158

Wins:

47 (30%)

Draws:

12 (7%)

Defeats:

99 (63%)

Memorable Mega Drive Moment:

16th Tournament (Knockout)

Vs Lord Dilks

- Road Rash 3

It was generally assumed that Captain Maltby and Lord Dilks are different standards of Mega Drive athletes. When drawn in Round 2 of the Knockout an easy victory for Lord Dilks was expected. But both men raced a flawless game on Road Rash 3. Blistering at breakneck speeds, they made it look easy, they made the game look good! It was the Captain who led the race until the final corner where Lord Dilks pulled level, blows were exchanged and Captain Maltby toppled from his bike while Lord Dilks rode into the sunset of the semi-finals. Captain Maltby swore vengeance.

Captain Maltby, once regarded as an easy way to score a couple of points, has rejuvenated as a Mega Drive athlete since the 13th Tournament plunged him to his lowest rating to date. Now his is comfortably regarded as a permanent fixture in the First Division. He has a strong rivalry against Lieutenant Gareth that blossomed during the 14th - 16th Mega Drive Championships. Captain Maltby possesses a flair for racing games, although is ranked highest on Streets of Rage 3.

Rating:

LIEUTENANT GARETH

Tournaments Entered:

10 (10th - 11th, 14th - 21st)

Highest Finish:

3rd, Division One, twice

Lowest Finish:

2nd, Division Two, 18th Tournament

Fierce Rivals:

Captain Maltby and Professor King

Other Rivals:

Commander Graham and Mr Smith

Strongest Game:

Ball Jacks

Games Played:

104

Wins:

49 (47%)

Draws:

7 (6%)

Defeats:

48 (46%)

Memorable Mega Drive Moment:

15th Tournament

Vs Mr Smith

- Streets of Rage 3

Mr Smith's final ever league game was against Lieutenant Gareth on Streets of Rage 3. Across the length of the construction yard the pair fought; Mr Smith's Blaze Vs Lieutenant Gareth's Skate. For Lieutenant Gareth this was a chance to set the score straight after Mr Smith narrowly beat him in the previous tournament's Street Fighter 2 Knockout Final. Although Mr Smith won the first round, Lieutenant Gareth established quick counters to Blaze's jump attacks and narrowly secured the final two rounds to earn himself the two-points and a third-placed finish.

Lieutenant Gareth is one of the longest serving members at the competitions, although will regrettably be absent from the 22nd Mega Drive Championship. His history spans from the Tenth Tournament, but it was not until the Fifteenth Championship that he took his place in Division One. Since then his form has varied from brilliant to mediocre; with arguably more success in the Knockout than the league. He has established a good number of rivals during his time.

Rating:

EARL HOLBROOK

Tournaments Entered:

8 (14th - 21st)

Highest Finish:

3rd, Division One, 20th Tournament

Lowest Finish:

4th, Division Two, 15th Tournament

Fierce Rival:

Captain Maltby

Other Rivals:

Baron Von Hooton and Professor King

Strongest Game:

Streets of Rage 2

Games Played:

Ninety

Wins:

37 (41%)

Draws:

3 (3%)

Defeats:

50 (56%)

Memorable Mega Drive Moment:

18th Tournament

Vs Doc Shakib

- World Cup Italia '90

It was his first tournament in Division One and nobody expected Earl Holbrook to do anything beyond getting relegated! World Cup Italia '90 is believed to be one of those games that requires a fair bit of experience to compete successfully and Doc Shakib was deemed to have that. This game was tight and neither man could get a firm control over their opponent. The final score was 5-4 in favour of Earl Holbrook. This narrow victory would be the difference between Division One and Division Two. Captain Maltby was relegated, two-points and a superior goal difference behind Earl Holbrook.

Earl Holbrook is a prime example of how a member can utilize Mega Drive ability and experience to his advantage. Once criticized as a button basher, Earl Holbrook has made steady and continual improvements since he finished second from bottom at the 14th Tournament. Winning the Division Two campaign against Professor King at the 17th Championship earned him promotion to Division One, where he has defied the odds to become a steady fixture in the higher league.

Rating:

COMMANDER GRAHAM

Tournaments Entered:

6 (15th - 20th)

Highest Finish:

1st, Division One, 20th Tournament

Lowest Finish:

2nd, Division Two, 15th Tournament

Rivals:

Lord Dilks, Baron Von Hooton

Doc Shakib and Fireman Sam

Strongest Game:

Mega Bomberman

Games Played:

Sixty-six

Wins:

42 (64%)

Draws:

4 (6%)

Defeats:

20 (30%)

Memorable Mega Drive Moment:

16th Tournament (Challenge)

Vs Doc Shakib

- Super Street Fighter 2

Commander Graham was not yet considered a force on the Mega Drive. But his potential first glimmered here, the Challenge final, against Doc Shakib on Super Street Fighter 2. Although neither member produced any special moves, was not lacking sparkle. Commander Graham took the first round with a decisive head-stomp, before he pushed Doc Shakib to the edge of defeat only for a dramatic reversal gave the round to Doc Shakib. In the final round it was a series of tactical low kicks that frustrated the leaping Doc Shakib and secure the win. The next time this pair met was in Division One, as equals.

Commander Graham quickly established himself as a extremely competent Mega Drive player. Destined for Division One, Commander Graham won the 20th Championship, but will be playing in Division Two this time round after missing the 21st Tournament. Although a self-confessed traitor "SNES man" he boasts a high degree of skill on an array of titles. His early tournament saw him develop a desire to beat Lord Dilks, but since his retirement Doc Shakib is his biggest rival.

Rating:

PROFESSOR KING

Tournaments Entered:

5 (16th - 20th)

Highest Finish:

5th, Division One, 19th Tournament

Lowest Finish:

4th, Division Two, 20th Tournament

Fierce Rival:

Earl Holbrook

Other Rival:

Lieutenant Gareth

Strongest Game:

Sonic 3

Games Played:

Fifty-One

Wins:

25 (49%)

Draws:

3 (6%)

Defeats:

23 (45%)

Memorable Mega Drive Moment:

19th Tournament

Vs Earl Holbrook

- Streets of Rage 3

Relegation is an ugly word, but that is exactly what Professor King faced. His first tournament in the higher league has been a struggle, claiming just three points from a potential sixteen, and only victory against his fierce rival Earl Holbrook on Streets of Rage 3 would save his place in Division One, else he would be demoted. The match was frantic with neither men wanting to lose the match and subsequently their status, but in the trap room four Professor King was defeated. Amusingly Earl Holbrook was killed shortly after the knock-down-blow by the laser trap.

If members were scored on passion then Professor King would battle for the top spot at every tournament. A confident member who often goads his opponents with verbal taunts, mocking their weaknesses and savouring their defeats. While this attitude wins favour with the Administration, it is much less popular with his competitors. History has made Professor King hungry for victory over Earl Holbrook who firstly cost him promotion and secondly condemned him to relegation.

Rating:

OLD SPICE LOCK

Tournaments Entered:

5 (15th - 19th)

Highest Finish:

4th, Division Two, 17th Tournament

Lowest Finish:

5th, Division Two, 4 times

Rivals:

None

Strongest Game:

Eternal Champions

Games Played:

Forty-Eight

Wins:

3 (6%)

Draws:

2 (4%)

Defeats:

43 (90%)

Memorable Mega Drive Moment:

17th Tournament (Division 2)

Vs Dame Yada

- Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Going into his third Mega Drive Championship, Old Spice Lock was still searching for his first elusive point. He had come close to scoring a win on Streets of Rage 2 at previous competitions, but nothing had yet materialised. Early on in the tournament a stunned disbelief reverberated around the Memorial Hall when it was realised Old Spice Lock, who had been playing Sonic 2, had earned himself a draw, and subsequently a point, against Dame Yada. He would earn his first win by the end of the tournament, giving him a total of three-points.

Old Spice Lock gained notoriety at the Mega Drive Championships simply by being tosh. In his first two tournaments he accrued a grand total of zero-points! Synonymous with defeat, he scored just eight-points throughout his time with tournaments. Old Spice Lock retired from Mega Drive after the 19th Tournament, where he was presented with a commemorative spatula, but his legend endures; new members live in fear of earning the label "the new Old Spice"!

Rating:

FIREMAN SAM

Tournaments Entered:

3 (19th - 21st)

Highest Finish:

2nd, Division One, twice

Lowest Finish:

1st, Division Two, 19th Tournament

Rivals:

Doc Shakib and Commander Graham

Strongest Game:

Columns

Games Played:

Forty-Two

Wins:

26 (62%)

Draws:

2 (5%)

Defeats:

14 (33%)

Memorable Mega Drive Moment:

2009 European Tournament

Vs Dário Pelixo

- Super Street Fighter 2

The 2009 European Mega Drive Championship was hardly a success story for Fireman Sam and Team England. Fireman Sam now faced the in-form Portuguese on the home pick Super Street Fighter 2. England has sneaked two-points on this game at the previous International event, but not so this time. Showboating as M.Bison, Dário Pelixo for Portugal, tore Fireman Sam to shreds and completed the misery with quotes from the great Raul Julia to add salt to the wound of defeat. "You came here expecting to find a madman, but instead you find a God!"

Fireman Sam has climbed from obscurity to success within just a few tournaments. Answering any critics who thought his 2nd placed finish at the 20th Tournament might have been a fluke, by repeating the achievement at the 21st Tournament. Fireman Sam has skill and ability in abundance, as well as the best rating of any current member. Clearly a champion in waiting, he perhaps just needs that little bit more experience to challenge for the ultimate prize.

Rating:

THE PLUMB

Tournaments Entered:

3 (19th-21st)

Highest Finish:

6th, Division One, 21st Tournament

Lowest Finish:

6th, Division Two, 19th Tournament

Suggested Rival:

Commander Graham

Strongest Game:

Sensible Soccer

Games Played:

Thirty-Eight

Wins:

17 (45%)

Draws:

3 (8%)

Defeats:

18 (47%)

Memorable Mega Drive Moment:

19th Tournament

Vs Ambassador Greaves

- Sensible Soccer

Sensible Soccer is a fun little romp, which has gradually seen the high-score bar raised. The Plumb was a newcomer at the 19th Championship, as was his opponent. Professor King had stuffed Baron Von Hooton 8-0 at the previous tournament and this was deemed very impressive. This wasn't a game, it was an education, as The Plumb tore his bemused opponent to pieces. The goals racked up and up until the final score stood at 15-0. "There's a job going at Man City" Commander Graham reminded him of the vacant managerial position following the match.

The Plumb is a dab hand on sports games and has shown himself to be competent player on a number of games, although none better than Sensible Soccer. Promoted to Division One at the 21st Tournament, on a technicality, his status could be retained on another technicality after he finished in a relegation spot at the last tournament. His rating would be significantly improved if he hadn't forfeited a number of games, with each forfeit carrying a one-point penalty.

Rating:

SAMURAI TAGUCHI

Tournaments Entered:

3 (19th-21st)

Highest Finish:

7th, Division One, 20th Tournament

Lowest Finish:

6th, Division Two, 21st Tournament

Rivals:

None

Strongest Game:

Road Rash 3

Games Played:

Thirty-Eight

Wins:

11 (29%)

Draws:

4(11%)

Defeats:

23 (60%)

Memorable Mega Drive Moment:

20th Tournament

Vs Captain Maltby

- Mega Bomberman

Samurai Taguchi suffered a torrid time in Division One at the 20th Tournament, this clash against Captain Maltby was a brief respite from defeat, albeit a hard fought one. Mega Bomberman was making its debut in the top division in this fixture and both men scrapped out in the trapdoor stage adding chaos and confusion to the tie. They took the tie to 1-1 until the final round was secured by Samurai Taguchi. He would win just one more game (Ball Jacks against Doc Shakib) before an immediate relegation back to Division Two after just one tournament in the higher league.

Samurai Taguchi is one of the more buoyant members of the Mega Drive Championships who passion for the competition is approved of. He earned promotion to Division One when the upper league was expanded at the 20th Tournament. Since then, Samurai Taguchi has struggled to make an impact either in Division One, where he was immediately relegated, and subsequently in Division Two at the 21st Tournament. Samurai Taguchi will be looking to show his promotion was no fluke.

Rating:

PROFESSOR MIZUTANI

Tournaments Entered:

3 (9th - 11th)

Highest Finish:

5th, Division One, 11th Tournament

Lowest Finish:

3rd, Division Two, 10th Tournament

Rivals:

Sir Jackaman, Baron Von Hooton

and Private Mary

Strongest Game:

European Club Soccer

Games Played:

Twenty-Eight

Wins:

7 (25%)

Draws:

2 (7%)

Defeats:

19 (68%)

Memorable Mega Drive Moment:

9th Tournament

Vs Sir Jackaman

-European Club Soccer

Professor Mizutani never really shone on the ol' 16-bitter! This was the first ever Division Two game and, following victory on European Club Soccer, Professor Mizutani topped the new league. While he was distinctly mediocre on a number of games, over two tournaments in the lower league, Professor Mizutani remained undfeated on European Club Soccer. After this game Sir Jackaman went on to win his remaining seven fixtures to secure promotion by a comfortable margin, but this was Professor Mizutani's moment, winning the game 2-1.

Of the three members who took part in the original "Division Two experiment" at the 9th Tournament, Professor Mizutani lasted the longest, entering three tournaments before circumstance and re-location moved him out of the tournaments' reach. Professor Mizutani personified the mediocre member, never doing anything spectacular or impressive; an honest and modest member who silently slipped into the tournaments and, just as silently, slipped away into tournament history.

Rating:

SIR JACKAMAN

Tournaments Entered:

3* (9th - 11th*)

Highest Finish:

4th, Division One, 10th Tournament

Lowest Finish:

1st, Division Two, 9th Tournament

Rivals:

Baron Von Hooton and Professor Mizutani

Strongest Game:

Micro Machines 2

Games Played:

Seventeen

Wins:

11 (65%)

Draws:

0 (0%)

Defeats:

6 (35%)

Memorable Mega Drive Moment:

10th Tournament

Vs Mr Smith

- Golden Axe 2

After romping his way through the Second Division at the 9th Tournament, Sir Jackaman came crashing down to earth with a phenomenal thud. Against elite Mega Drive athletes, Mr Smith and Lord Dilks, Sir Jackaman was easy picking, something for them to toy with and then destroy. This was best highlighted when Sir Jackaman faced Mr Smith on Golden Axe 2. Mr Smith ran amok, seemingly moving faster, leaping higher and attacking harder with Sir Jackaman unable to respond let alone compete. This has been the only perfect (10-0) score on Golden Axe 2 to date.

* Although Sir Jackaman did not participate in the 11th Tournament, he was drawn in the Knockout - technically crossing the three tournament threshold. His time with the tournaments were like Jekyll and Hyde: the 9th Tournament he cruised Division 2 and the inaugural Knockout. The 10th Tournament he was crushed in Division One and eliminated in the first round of the Knockout. He was removed from the 11th tournament following a frosty encounter with the Administration.