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Nobuyuki Umezaki

1983–2026

Japanese e-sports executive who founded DetonatioN Gaming and established Japan's first salaried professional gamer team.

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Particulars

Nobuyuki Umezaki was born on July 1, 1983. He entered the e-sports industry and founded the professional team DetonatioN in December 2012. In January 2015, he established DetonatioN FocusMe, Japan's first salaried professional gamer team, marking a significant milestone in the country's e-sports development.

He founded Sun-Gence Co., Ltd. in June 2015 and served as its representative director and president. In October 2021, the company was renamed DetonatioN and became a subsidiary of GameWith. He continued to lead the organization as CEO until his death.

Umezaki passed away on July 29, 2026, at the age of 43. His work helped professionalize e-sports in Japan and created opportunities for competitive gamers to pursue their craft as a legitimate career.

Compiled from source reports. Automated record.

Sources cited