Photo By: Dennis Leupold
In September, the legendary puzzle game Candy Crush launched the Candy Crush All Stars Tournament hosted by Khloé Kardashian, featuring celebrity competitors Doja Cat and Gronk.
The competition was open to any player in the U.S. who had passed level 25 in the Candy Crush Saga app and Orlando’s own Bibi met that requirement.
Bibi, 37, first became an Orlando resident in 2002. She is a mom, former Valencia College student, and current MBA student at Antioch University. She is also an avid lover of Candy Crush and has been playing the game since 2012 when it first launched.
“Candy Crush Saga is the game I play to relieve stress with a therapeutic value. While it is still strategic, it is still simple and easy to play,” Bibi says. “I usually play as I cuddle my 5-year-old and 1-year-old to sleep. The game is also simple, colorfully interactive, and attracts you towards accomplishing the goal to win sweet rewards. You are never bored because the levels are all different and the games are different in terms of the goals.”
Once Bibi found out about the tournament through the app she was instantly up for the challenge.
“The entire process of how to become a participant was easy in a step-by-step instructional guide. You had to qualify three times in a semi-final and quarterfinals to get into the finals,” Bibi says. “I originally just started playing for fun and then my competitive side kicked in and I decided to try my best and top the other players in each in-app final to become qualified.”
After nearly six weeks of qualifying rounds and more than 11 billion candies crushed, trying her best had finally paid off. The competition was narrowed down to 10 finalists, and Bibi had made the cut.
Bibi’s friends, family and community were surprised that she had really become a finalist but were delighted to watch her compete.
“They knew that I play Candy Crush Saga all the time and I have always said I wish they would have competition because I would want to play,” Bibi says. “I never knew those words would resonate to become a reality. My kids think I am pretty “cool”.”
On Nov.12 she had the opportunity to compete in the final round of the competition which aired on the Candy Crush Saga YouTube channel. Bibi wasn’t too focused on the competition initially, explaining that she just felt excited to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“In all honesty, I competed with an open heart and enjoyed playing the games with individuals who also love to compete and beat the levels,” Bibi says. “I was very nervous because I knew I was up against the best players in America.”
Yet, when it was all said and done, Bibi came out victorious!
“I was in a state of shock when I won. It never crossed my mind that I would win I was content with just making the top ten and playing the game,” Bibi says. “Yet, as the games kept playing and the other competitors were eliminated, I felt more confident. I was also surprised that I was the fastest player. In the end, I think that all the players are winners we all beat the odds to be in the tournament.”
For her prize, Bibi was named America’s First Candy Crush All Star and she received a year’s worth of gold bars. While Bibi won’t be competing any time soon, this isn’t the end of her playing days.
“I competed in this tournament because I have played for so long, enjoy it, and I always look forward to the game,” Bibi says. “For now, I will still play Candy Crush Saga because new levels get added every Wednesday!”