Watch: An American teenager is richer by $3 million after winning the Fortnite video game world cup
Sixteen-year-old Kyle ‘Bugha’ Giersdorf’s prize is just $850,000 less than the winner’s takings at the US Open, to be held at the same venue.
The best Fortnite player in the world 👑
— B/R Gaming (@BRGaming) July 28, 2019
16-year-old @bugha takes the Fortnite World Cup Solos title and wins $3M 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hgDFNZYpJu
A 16-year-old American, Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf, walked off with $3 million on Sunday after winning the first World Fortnite championship.
The wildly popular online video game, developed by North Carolina-based Epic Games, gave away prizes worth $30 million in its first tournament held at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York.
Congrats to all of our winners this weekend at the #FortniteWorldCup Finals
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) July 28, 2019
Solo Champion: @bugha
Duos Champions: @nyhrox @aquaa
ProAM: @Airwaks @RLGRIME
Creative: #FishFam @cizzorz @hiimtylerh @suezhoo @zandOfficial pic.twitter.com/ilBs7RTeTv
Giersdorf won the solo portion of the Fortnite World Cup by scoring 59 points, 26 more than his nearest competitor, who plays under the name “psalm,” reported Reuters.
JUST IN: Kyle Giersdorf, 16, is the winner of the Fortnite World Cup. He wins $3 million. The winners of the US Open of Tennis, in the same venue in five weeks, will make $3.85 million. pic.twitter.com/AfXBEUWIGu
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 28, 2019
Amazingly, as sports writer Darren Rovell pointed out, the teenager’s $3 million prize pool is only $850,000 less than the $3.85 million the winner of the US Open men’s championship will make in a few weeks at the same stadium.
The game’s massive popularity, competitiveness and huge prize money go to highlight, once again, the increasing popularity of professional gaming and its emergence as a serious career for teenagers around the world.
“Words can’t even explain it – I’m just so happy,” Giersdorf said while accepting his cup, “Everything I’ve done, the grind, it’s all paid off. It’s just insane.”
Congratulations @bugha! pic.twitter.com/nchRlL3wUC
— Fortnite Competitive (@FNCompetitive) July 28, 2019