SHUHEI NAKAMURA
Class of: 2011
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Debut: Pro Tour San Diego 2001-02
Lifetime Pro Points: 431
Five Pro Tour Top 8 appearances ... Won 2008 Pro Tour Player of the Year ... 17 Grand Prix Top 8 finishes, including back-to-back wins at St. Louis and Hiroshima in 2006 ... Finished in Top 5 of the Player of the Year race five times since 2005 ... One of six players with more than 400 lifetime Pro Points ... Travels the world for all major tournaments, broadening the Japanese Magic community.
SHUHEI NAKAMURAPROFILE
Shuhei Nakamura first qualified for Pro Tour New Orleans in 2002 but did not attend due to the financial costs. He qualified for the next Pro Tour in San Diego and managed to play in a handful of events over the next few seasons before finally stringing one event into the next with a Top 50 finish at Worlds in San Francisco at the end of the 2004 season. That year he teamed with Tsuyoshi Fujita and Kenji Tsumura to form one of the greatest Nationals teams to ever play at Worlds.
Looking back on his first trip to the Pro Tour, Shuhei reflected on a career that stretched across two different eras in terms of how Japanese players performed and were perceived on the Pro Tour.
"I didn't make Day Two. This was when Japanese didn't do well at all on the Pro Tour. I wasn't disappointed or upset," Nakamura recalled of playing at Pro Tour San Diego 2002. "What I took home from that first Pro Tour was the feeling that it was an obstacle I wanted to someday overcome. One other thing I remember from that first Pro Tour was that I met someone I thought was really, really good―Eugene Harvey. Although now that I think about it, that was right around the time he debuted on the Tour as well."
Things were changing for Japanese Magic players. Tsuyoshi Fujita had already made the finals of a Pro Tour and at Pro Tour Venice Akihiro Kashima made the Top 8 while Masahiko Morita, Masashiro Kuroda, and Katsuhiro Mori were winning the Masters Series.
Following his performance at Worlds in 2004, Nakamura had his breakout season on the Pro Tour kicked off by a second-place finish at Pro Tour Columbus—a Top 8 that featured three Japanese players—and another Top 8 to close the season at Worlds in 2005. It was the year that Japan swept the event held in Yokohama, winning the World Championship, the Player of the year title, and the World Team Championship.
"I think the reason Japanese players were able to blossom the way they did is we were paradoxically able to take advantage of the fact that we were held back for so long by our geographic and linguistic distance," posited Nakamura. "It took a while, but eventually Fujita and then Kashima made Top 8, and my impression is that they primed everyone else. After that, players who we Japanese had known for a long time were capable but who were unknown outside the country started racking up Top 8s."
To the surprise of exactly no one, Shuhei was the leading vote-getter in his first year of eligibility. With his five Pro Tour Top 8s, more than 400 lifetime Pro Points (and counting), and 2008 Player of the Year trophy the induction may not have come as a surprise, but it did not mean Shuhei wasn't nervous while waiting for the votes to be tallied.
"I thought that if I didn't get in this year, I never would," said an extremely happy Nakamura. "When I learned I had been inducted, I guess I felt relieved more than anything else. It didn't help that all my friends were giving me a hard time over it."
To say that Shuhei is an active player is the height of understatement. He has spent virtually every available weekend for the past few seasons chasing down Pro Points and locking up Level 8 after Level 8 status in the Pro Players Club. He admitted that his enshrinement in the Hall of Fame could coincide with a more relaxed travel schedule but explained that he was already considering that.
"I was already thinking about changing my approach to the Pro Tour, but now that I am in the Hall of Fame, I suppose it will change," said Shuhei before adding that he still had some unfinished business that was driving him: "Winning a Pro Tour."
Shuhei looked back to the day in 2005 when he was sitting in the audience at Worlds when the first Hall of Fame class was inducted. Later that weekend, he would add the second of his five career Top 8s, but at the time a spot in the Hall of Fame next to the likes of Jon Finkel seemed a long way away.
"Ten years ago, I never would have imagined this day would come," admitted Shuhei. "Six years ago, I realized it might someday come but it would be a long time in coming. Three years ago, I made it one of my goals. Entering the Hall of Fame is one of the end posts of my Magic life, and I hope it will be one of the better achievements of my life."
In becoming the second Japanese player to be inducted into the Pro Tour Hall of Fame, Shuhei wanted to thank the person who paved the way for him to get there: the first Japanese player to do so.
"I would have to thank Tsuyoshi Fujita," said Nakamura. "His influence has been a major reason for me continuing Magic over the years."
THE POWER OF SHUHEI
Pro Tour: Grand Prix: |
Creature (28)
4 Blurred Mongoose 2 Flametongue Kavu 4 Kavu Titan 4 Raging Kavu 3 Shivan Wurm 4 Skizzik 3 Thornscape Battlemage 4 Thornscape FamiliarSorcery (3)
3 Ghitu FireSideboard (15)
2 Flametongue Kavu 1 Shivan Wurm 1 Thornscape Battlemage 3 Dodecapod 1 Kavu Chameleon 1 Obliterate 4 Thunderscape Battlemage 2 TranquilityRed (21)
4 Flametongue Kavu 4 Skizzik 3 Ghitu Fire 3 Scorching Lava 2 Urza's Rage 1 Obliterate 4 Thunderscape BattlemageGreen (19)
4 Blurred Mongoose 4 Kavu Titan 4 Thornscape Battlemage 4 Thornscape Familiar 1 Kavu Chameleon 2 TranquilityUncommon (17)
4 Shivan Oasis 4 Flametongue Kavu 4 Thornscape Battlemage 1 Kavu Chameleon 4 Thunderscape BattlemageRare (26)
2 Keldon Necropolis 4 Blurred Mongoose 4 Kavu Titan 4 Raging Kavu 4 Shivan Wurm 4 Skizzik 3 Ghitu Fire 1 ObliterateMythic (2)
2 Urza's RageCreature (20)
4 Angel of Despair 4 Bogardan Hellkite 4 Progenitus 4 Simian Spirit Guide 4 TerastodonInstant (4)
4 Violent OutburstArtifact (3)
3 Akroma's MemorialLand (21)
2 Calciform Pools 3 Forbidden Orchard 1 Forest 3 Fungal Reaches 4 Gemstone Mine 4 Reflecting Pool 4 Tendo Ice BridgeSideboard (15)
1 Oblivion Ring 2 Coalition Relic 3 Crovax, Ascendant Hero 3 Firespout 2 Ricochet Trap 2 Shriekmaw 2 Venser, Shaper SavantBlack (2)
2 ShriekmawGreen (4)
4 TerastodonMulti colored (20)
4 Angel of Despair 4 Progenitus 4 Ardent Plea 1 Demonic Dread 4 Violent Outburst 3 FirespoutColorless (29)
2 Calciform Pools 3 Forbidden Orchard 1 Forest 3 Fungal Reaches 4 Gemstone Mine 4 Reflecting Pool 4 Tendo Ice Bridge 3 Akroma's Memorial 3 Hypergenesis 2 Coalition Relic3 (23)
4 Simian Spirit Guide 4 Ardent Plea 3 Compulsive Research 1 Demonic Dread 2 Oblivion Ring 4 Violent Outburst 2 Coalition Relic 3 Firespout5 (2)
2 Shriekmaw6 (3)
3 Crovax, Ascendant Hero10 (4)
4 ProgenitusCommon (17)
1 Forest 4 Gemstone Mine 4 Simian Spirit Guide 3 Compulsive Research 1 Demonic Dread 4 Violent OutburstUncommon (18)
2 Calciform Pools 3 Fungal Reaches 4 Ardent Plea 2 Oblivion Ring 3 Firespout 2 Ricochet Trap 2 ShriekmawRare (24)
4 Reflecting Pool 4 Tendo Ice Bridge 4 Angel of Despair 4 Terastodon 3 Hypergenesis 2 Coalition Relic 3 Crovax, Ascendant HeroMythic (16)
3 Forbidden Orchard 4 Bogardan Hellkite 4 Progenitus 3 Akroma's Memorial 2 Venser, Shaper SavantCreature (24)
3 Chameleon Colossus 3 Civic Wayfinder 3 Kitchen Finks 4 Llanowar Elves 3 Murderous Redcap 4 Tarmogoyf 4 Wren's Run VanquisherLand (24)
4 Forest 4 Gilt-Leaf Palace 3 Llanowar Wastes 3 Mutavault 2 Pendelhaven 3 Swamp 4 Treetop Village 1 Twilight MireSideboard (15)
3 Bitterblossom 1 Cloudthresher 2 Garruk Wildspeaker 1 Mind Shatter 3 Primal Command 3 Shriekmaw 2 Slaughter PactBlack (19)
3 Eyeblight's Ending 1 Nameless Inversion 4 Profane Command 4 Thoughtseize 3 Bitterblossom 1 Mind Shatter 3 ShriekmawGreen (24)
3 Chameleon Colossus 3 Civic Wayfinder 4 Llanowar Elves 4 Tarmogoyf 4 Wren's Run Vanquisher 1 Cloudthresher 2 Garruk Wildspeaker 3 Primal CommandColorless (26)
4 Forest 4 Gilt-Leaf Palace 3 Llanowar Wastes 3 Mutavault 2 Pendelhaven 3 Swamp 4 Treetop Village 1 Twilight Mire 2 Slaughter Pact2 (17)
4 Tarmogoyf 4 Wren's Run Vanquisher 1 Nameless Inversion 4 Profane Command 3 Bitterblossom 1 Mind Shatter6 (1)
1 CloudthresherCommon (20)
4 Forest 2 Pendelhaven 3 Swamp 3 Civic Wayfinder 4 Llanowar Elves 3 Eyeblight's Ending 1 Nameless InversionUncommon (17)
4 Treetop Village 3 Kitchen Finks 3 Murderous Redcap 4 Wren's Run Vanquisher 3 ShriekmawRare (29)
4 Gilt-Leaf Palace 3 Llanowar Wastes 3 Mutavault 1 Twilight Mire 4 Profane Command 4 Thoughtseize 3 Bitterblossom 1 Cloudthresher 1 Mind Shatter 3 Primal Command 2 Slaughter PactPlaneswalker (3)
3 Jace BelerenCreature (19)
4 Chameleon Colossus 2 Oona, Queen of the Fae 4 Silvergill Adept 3 Sower of Temptation 4 Stonybrook Banneret 2 Sygg, River GuideSorcery (3)
3 FirespoutInstant (4)
4 Cryptic CommandLand (24)
4 Flooded Grove 2 Mutavault 3 Reflecting Pool 4 Secluded Glen 4 Vivid Creek 3 Vivid Grove 4 Wanderwine HubSideboard (15)
2 Crib Swap 3 Cloudthresher 2 Hallowed Burial 2 Puppeteer Clique 3 Recumbent Bliss 3 WispmareBlue (20)
4 Silvergill Adept 3 Sower of Temptation 4 Stonybrook Banneret 4 Cryptic Command 2 Sage's Dousing 3 Jace BelerenColorless (24)
4 Flooded Grove 2 Mutavault 3 Reflecting Pool 4 Secluded Glen 4 Vivid Creek 3 Vivid Grove 4 Wanderwine HubUncommon (19)
4 Vivid Creek 3 Vivid Grove 4 Silvergill Adept 3 Crib Swap 3 Firespout 2 Sage's DousingRare (35)
4 Flooded Grove 2 Mutavault 3 Reflecting Pool 4 Secluded Glen 4 Wanderwine Hub 2 Oona, Queen of the Fae 3 Sower of Temptation 2 Sygg, River Guide 4 Cryptic Command 3 Cloudthresher 2 Hallowed Burial 2 Puppeteer CliqueCreature (14)
2 Blizzard Specter 1 Chilling Shade 1 Frost Raptor 1 Gutless Ghoul 2 Heidar, Rimewind Master 1 Krovikan Scoundrel 1 Phyrexian Ironfoot 1 Rimebound Dead 1 Stromgald Crusader 3 Zombie MusherLand (17)
1 Frost Marsh 5 Island 1 Scrying Sheets 6 Swamp 1 Snow-Covered Island 1 Snow-Covered Plains 2 Snow-Covered SwampBlack (12)
1 Chilling Shade 1 Gutless Ghoul 1 Krovikan Scoundrel 1 Rimebound Dead 1 Stromgald Crusader 3 Zombie Musher 1 Deathmark 1 Feast of Flesh 1 Grim Harvest 1 Rime TransfusionMulti colored (2)
2 Blizzard SpecterColorless (18)
1 Frost Marsh 5 Island 1 Scrying Sheets 6 Swamp 1 Phyrexian Ironfoot 1 Snow-Covered Island 1 Snow-Covered Plains 2 Snow-Covered Swamp5 (2)
2 Heidar, Rimewind MasterCommon (28)
5 Island 6 Swamp 1 Chilling Shade 1 Frost Raptor 1 Gutless Ghoul 1 Krovikan Scoundrel 1 Rimebound Dead 3 Zombie Musher 1 Feast of Flesh 1 Grim Harvest 1 Rune Snag 1 Snow-Covered Island 1 Snow-Covered Plains 2 Snow-Covered Swamp 2 Surging ÆtherUncommon (9)
1 Frost Marsh 2 Blizzard Specter 1 Phyrexian Ironfoot 1 Stromgald Crusader 1 Deathmark 2 Krovikan Whispers 1 Rime TransfusionPlaneswalker (4)
4 Garruk WildspeakerCreature (21)
2 Boreal Druid 3 Civic Wayfinder 4 Imperious Perfect 4 Llanowar Elves 4 Tarmogoyf 4 Wren's Run VanquisherLand (24)
3 Forest 4 Gilt-Leaf Palace 4 Llanowar Wastes 4 Mutavault 2 Pendelhaven 2 Swamp 4 Treetop Village 1 Urborg, Tomb of YawgmothTribal instant (3)
3 Nameless InversionBlack (23)
3 Nameless Inversion 4 Profane Command 4 Thoughtseize 4 Bitterblossom 2 Incremental Blight 4 Shriekmaw 2 TerrorGreen (28)
2 Boreal Druid 3 Civic Wayfinder 4 Imperious Perfect 4 Llanowar Elves 4 Tarmogoyf 4 Wren's Run Vanquisher 4 Garruk Wildspeaker 3 Primal CommandColorless (24)
3 Forest 4 Gilt-Leaf Palace 4 Llanowar Wastes 4 Mutavault 2 Pendelhaven 2 Swamp 4 Treetop Village 1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth2 (21)
4 Tarmogoyf 4 Wren's Run Vanquisher 3 Nameless Inversion 4 Profane Command 4 Bitterblossom 2 Terror4 (4)
4 Garruk WildspeakerCommon (21)
3 Forest 2 Pendelhaven 2 Swamp 2 Boreal Druid 3 Civic Wayfinder 4 Llanowar Elves 3 Nameless Inversion 2 TerrorUncommon (18)
4 Treetop Village 4 Imperious Perfect 4 Wren's Run Vanquisher 2 Incremental Blight 4 ShriekmawRare (27)
4 Gilt-Leaf Palace 4 Llanowar Wastes 4 Mutavault 4 Profane Command 4 Thoughtseize 4 Bitterblossom 3 Primal CommandArtifact (10)
4 Azorius Signet 2 Chalice of the Void 2 Chrome Mox 1 Engineered Explosives 1 Tormod's CryptLand (25)
1 Academy Ruins 4 Hallowed Fountain 4 Skycloud Expanse 4 Tolaria West 4 Urza's Mine 4 Urza's Power Plant 4 Urza's TowerSideboard (15)
1 Academy Ruins 2 Engineered Explosives 1 Tormod's Crypt 3 Disenchant 3 Leyline of the Void 2 Mindslaver 3 Threads of DisloyaltyBlack (3)
3 Leyline of the VoidMulti colored (4)
4 Meddling MageColorless (43)
2 Academy Ruins 4 Hallowed Fountain 4 Skycloud Expanse 4 Tolaria West 4 Urza's Mine 4 Urza's Power Plant 4 Urza's Tower 2 Sundering Titan 4 Azorius Signet 2 Chalice of the Void 2 Chrome Mox 3 Engineered Explosives 2 Tormod's Crypt 2 MindslaverCommon (22)
4 Urza's Mine 4 Urza's Power Plant 4 Urza's Tower 4 Azorius Signet 3 Condescend 3 DisenchantRare (36)
2 Academy Ruins 4 Hallowed Fountain 4 Skycloud Expanse 3 Exalted Angel 4 Meddling Mage 2 Chalice of the Void 2 Chrome Mox 2 Decree of Justice 3 Engineered Explosives 4 Wrath of God 3 Leyline of the Void 3 Threads of DisloyaltyRed (43)
4 Blistering Firecat 4 Grim Lavamancer 4 Jackal Pup 4 Mogg Fanatic 4 Firebolt 4 Magma Jet 4 Pillage 4 Seal of Fire 4 Blood Oath 3 Flametongue Kavu 3 Fledgling Dragon 1 GambleColorless (32)
4 Bloodstained Mire 8 Mountain 4 Rishadan Port 4 Wasteland 4 Wooded Foothills 4 Cursed Scroll 4 Ensnaring Bridge1 (25)
4 Grim Lavamancer 4 Jackal Pup 4 Mogg Fanatic 4 Cursed Scroll 4 Firebolt 4 Seal of Fire 1 Gamble2 (4)
4 Magma JetRare (36)
4 Bloodstained Mire 4 Rishadan Port 4 Wooded Foothills 4 Blistering Firecat 4 Grim Lavamancer 4 Cursed Scroll 4 Blood Oath 4 Ensnaring Bridge 3 Fledgling Dragon 1 GambleCreature (25)
3 Arashi, the Sky Asunder 3 Kodama of the North Tree 4 Llanowar Elves 4 Loxodon Hierarch 4 Selesnya Guildmage 4 Wood Elves 3 Yosei, the Morning StarEnchantment (3)
3 Glare of SubdualLand (23)
4 Brushland 1 Eiganjo Castle 5 Forest 1 Miren, the Moaning Well 4 Selesnya Sanctuary 4 Temple Garden 4 Vitu-Ghazi, the City-TreeSideboard (15)
1 Kodama of the North Tree 1 Yosei, the Morning Star 1 Seed Spark 2 Faith's Fetters 3 Greater Good 2 Hokori, Dust Drinker 2 Naturalize 3 Wrath of GodWhite (14)
4 Yosei, the Morning Star 3 Seed Spark 2 Faith's Fetters 2 Hokori, Dust Drinker 3 Wrath of GodGreen (20)
3 Arashi, the Sky Asunder 4 Kodama of the North Tree 4 Llanowar Elves 4 Wood Elves 3 Greater Good 2 NaturalizeMulti colored (12)
4 Loxodon Hierarch 4 Selesnya Guildmage 1 Congregation at Dawn 3 Glare of SubdualColorless (29)
4 Brushland 1 Eiganjo Castle 5 Forest 1 Miren, the Moaning Well 4 Selesnya Sanctuary 4 Temple Garden 4 Vitu-Ghazi, the City-Tree 3 Pithing Needle 3 Umezawa's Jitte4 (20)
4 Loxodon Hierarch 3 Glare of Subdual 3 Seed Spark 2 Faith's Fetters 3 Greater Good 2 Hokori, Dust Drinker 3 Wrath of God6 (4)
4 Yosei, the Morning StarCommon (21)
5 Forest 4 Selesnya Sanctuary 4 Llanowar Elves 4 Wood Elves 2 Faith's Fetters 2 NaturalizeRare (38)
4 Brushland 1 Eiganjo Castle 1 Miren, the Moaning Well 4 Temple Garden 3 Arashi, the Sky Asunder 4 Kodama of the North Tree 4 Loxodon Hierarch 3 Glare of Subdual 3 Pithing Needle 3 Umezawa's Jitte 3 Greater Good 2 Hokori, Dust Drinker 3 Wrath of GodMythic (4)
4 Yosei, the Morning StarSHUHEI NAKAMURACAREER STATISTICS
BY FORMAT
Format | W | L | D | BYE | Matches | Win % |
Limited | 494 | 265 | 24 | 187 | 970 | 63.09% |
Constructed | 612 | 364 | 34 | 157 | 1167 | 60.59% |
Total | 1106 | 629 | 58 | 344 | 2137 | 61.68% |
BY EVENT TYPE
Event | W | L | D | BYE | Matches | Win % |
Worlds | 73 | 47 | 2 | 0 | 122 | 59.84% |
Pro Tour | 214 | 126 | 10 | 2 | 352 | 61.14% |
Nationals | 87 | 52 | 3 | 0 | 142 | 61.27% |
Continental Championship | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 66.67% |
Grand Prix | 724 | 400 | 43 | 342 | 1509 | 62.04% |
Total | 1106 | 629 | 58 | 344 | 2137 | 61.68% |
SHUHEI NAKAMURACAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Made the finals of the Invasion Block Constructed Grand Prix Kobe in 2001 to start his professional career.
- Made three Grand Prix Top 8s that season, including a Team Grand Prix in Nagoya.
- He made his Pro Tour debut in San Diego 2002 and requalified periodically over next couple of seasons.
- Was a member of one of the best Nationals teams of all time in 2004 when he was flanked by Tsuyoshi Fujita and Kenji Tsumura at Worlds in San Francisco.
- Finished Top 50 at Worlds 2004, and from there his career went into overdrive, including two Top 8s the following season.
- Has made the Top 8 of a Pro Tour five times in his career and racked up more than 400 career Pro Points, one of only six players to reach that total.
- Earned the nickname "Snowmaster" when he won Coldsnap Limited Grand Prix on back-to-back weekends more than 5,000 miles apart.
- Has finished in the Top 5 of the Player of the Year race every year but one since 2005, including winning the title in 2008.
- Has posted 17 Grand Prix Top 8 in his career—the fourth most Top 8s in history—and has three wins.
- Has traveled relentlessly for Magic for the past half decade, hardly missing any Grand Prix events no matter how far he had to travel.
- Instrumental in building key relationships between the Japanese Magic community and players in North America, South America, and Europe.
RECORD VS. HALL OF FAME | W | L | D |
Jon Finkel | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Darwin Kastle | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Tommi Hovi | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Alan Comer | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Olle Råde | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Bob Maher | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Dave Humpherys | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Raphaël Lévy | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Gary Wise | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rob Dougherty | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Kai Budde | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Zvi Mowshowitz | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Tsuyoshi Fujita | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Nicolai Herzog | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Randy Buehler | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Dirk Baberowski | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jelger Wiegersma | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Mike Turian | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Olivier Ruel | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Ben Rubin | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Kamiel Cornelissen | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Antoine Ruel | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Frank Karsten | 2 | 3 | 0 |
Gabriel Nassif | 2 | 3 | 0 |
Bram Snepvangers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Brian Kibler | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Anton Jonsson | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Steven O'Mahoney Schwartz | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Total | 30 | 22 | 3 |