Street Fighter Alpha/Characters/Sagat

Click here for more information about Sagat's other fighting game appearances.

Sagat first appeared as the final challenger in the original Street Fighter. He returned as the second to last boss in Street Fighter II, and was first selectable in Street Fighter II Champion Edition. Sagat won the title of Emperor/God of Muay Thai from Nuah Kahn as a teenager, and became a national hero in Thailand. At the end of the first World Warrior tournament, only one fighter managed to reach Sagat: a young martial artist named Ryu. Initially, Sagat was able to pin Ryu, and was sure that he was the winner of the match. However, Ryu became desperate to win the fight and was consumed by the Satsui no Hadou and executed the Metsu Shoryuken, grievously wounding Sagat and leaving a massive scar across his chest.

During the alpha series, Sagat's former student Adon mocked his teacher for losing to Ryu and challenged him for the title of God of Muay Thai. His rage blinded him, and Sagat lost to Adon, but not before beating the younger man so hard that he would be in traction for four months. Consumed with rage and hatred, Sagat eagerly joined the criminal organization known as Shadoloo. M. Bison had offered him Shadoloo resources to find Ryu and provide Sagat with a rematch. Sagat's nearly indomitable power provided him with the position of Bison's personal bodyguard, one of the feared Shitennō (四天王) or Four Heavenly Kings of Shadoloo.

During his tenure in Shadoloo, Sagat encountered Dan, now an adult seeking revenge for his father's death in the fight with Sagat. Sagat realized how anger can make people do things they regret, so he purposely lost the fight (Although Dan doesn't believe that he did), which allowed Dan to defeat him and satisfy his anger.

Sagat realized that his scar was a result of the killing intent which possessed Ryu called the Satsui no Hadou. Finally, he understood that true rivals should not be blinded by rage and hatred, nor be seduced by it, and realized Bison's real intentions.

However, Bison presented him with a brainwashed Ryu, and told Sagat he could have the rematch he always wanted. Despite Sagat's disappointment with fighting a corrupted opponent, Sagat still fought Ryu. To break Bison's mind control, he implored to Ryu that a true warrior would not give in to such treachery. Ryu awakened from Bison's control and, rejecting the Satsui no Hadou, drove Bison off. Sagat finally realized that rivalries must have their limits.