Perhaps the judges were simply hypnotized by Zangief’s rippling muscles? Here’s what Japanese net users had to say:
“lolwut???”
“Why is Zangief even there in the first place?”
“So Zangief was Chun-Li this whole time…? Sure! Why not?”
“His smile is making me swoon.”
“Chun-Li… have you been working out?”
“Damn that guy is ripped!”