Viral senior esports team confirms death of founding player Yossy aged 69

One of the players from Japan’s popular esports team for seniors has passed away. The team announced the news with a heartfelt message on what would have been their birthday.

Matagi Snipers, an esports team with players in their 60s and 70s, has become well-known around the world. They’ve repeatedly captured online attention by showing that age doesn’t have to be a barrier to competitive gaming.

Yossy, a founding member of the Matagi Snipers gaming group, was well-known for playing popular games like Valorant, Apex Legends, and Fortnite. Sadly, he passed away on December 27, 2025, at the age of 69, after a battle with cancer.

Senior esports team pays tribute to founding member

The team announced the news on March 18th, which would have been his birthday.

A post on X announced that Yossy passed away peacefully on December 27, 2025. Even after being diagnosed with cancer in November 2024, he remained dedicated to gaming and stayed involved with his team.

The team finished their memorial with a promise to honor their teammate by continuing to play with the same spirit and dedication he always had.

— MATAGI SNIPERS / マタギスナイパーズ (@matagisnipers) March 18, 2026

The team also posted a tribute image with a photo of Yossy and the words: “Thank you for everything you accomplished. Yossy 1956–2025. Rest in peace.”

The announcement also called his death a significant loss, noting that his enthusiasm and drive were key to the growth of the Matagi Snipers.

Yossy was one of the original members of the team and greatly contributed to its success. He helped make Matagi Snipers incredibly popular, demonstrating that esports can be enjoyed by players of all ages.

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2026-03-18 19:22