Elimination Round

The elimination rounds begin inside a packed hall where fighters are split into four blocks. Goku draws number 70 and Krillin draws 93, placing them on opposite sides of Block 3 so they will not face each other. Yamcha lands in Block 2, quietly relieved that he can avoid Goku until the main arena where there is more room and no time limit.

Training Pays Off

Goku's first opponent towers over him, but the match is over in seconds. A single tap to the giant's leg sends him flying out of the ring. Krillin faces one of his old Orin Temple bullies and, fueled by months of Roshi's training, launches a kick so powerful it blasts the bully through a brick wall. Yamcha dispatches a large fighter with a single kick of his own.

Sweeping the Brackets

As the rounds continue, all three Turtle School students dominate. Krillin even fakes being injured to psyche out an opponent into surrendering. Yamcha finishes his final preliminary match using his Blinding Wolf Fang Fist. Goku and Krillin wrap up their blocks with ease, and all three advance to the tournament finals. Master Roshi reappears among the spectators, quietly proud of what his students have accomplished.

The elimination round is the first real test of Roshi's unconventional methods, and the results speak for themselves. Goku barely has to try, casually tapping opponents out of the ring. Krillin's confrontation with his Orin Temple bully carries genuine emotional weight. The boy who was once too weak to fight back now sends his tormentor through a wall with a single blow.

Krillin's Mind Games

Krillin's fake-out against a stronger-looking opponent is a clever highlight. By pretending to be hurt, he terrifies the fighter into quitting, proving that Roshi's emphasis on mental sharpness is just as important as physical power.

The preliminary round introduces several fighters who will appear in the quarterfinals, including the menacing Bacterian and the powerful Giran. Jackie Chun, Roshi's disguised tournament persona, is notably absent from view during these rounds despite also qualifying. The eight finalists are now set for the main event.