Esports returns to Victoria for TAAF Winter Games | Sports

The world of esports made its return to Victoria as the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation Winter Games brought competitive gaming to town, hosted on the campus of Texas A&M University–Victoria.

This year once again featured: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — the wildly popular crossover fighting game from Nintendo that blends iconic characters from across gaming history into one fast-paced battle arena.

Tournament Format

The competition drew a deep field of players ready to grab a controller and test their skills in bracket play.

Matches followed standard tournament rules:

-Seven-minute time limit per battle

-Players had to score three knockouts to win

-Strategic play and quick reactions were key

Each round showcased high-energy matchups as competitors fought to stay alive in the bracket.

Thorn Ortiz Claims Championship

When the dust settled, it was Thorn Ortiz who battled his way through the field to claim first place and the Winter Games esports title.

Ortiz credited his competitive background for shaping his approach to gaming, explaining that he grew up as a multi-sport athlete — including college football and Muay Thai — which helped fuel his drive to compete.

He added that esports offers a different kind of challenge compared to traditional sports, allowing athletes to focus more on strategy and mental sharpness without the same physical toll — a contrast he says makes games like Smash especially rewarding.

With growing participation and crowd interest, esports continues to carve out its place in the Winter Games — blending gaming culture with traditional amateur athletics right here in Victoria.

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