Thor Aackerlund

Thor Aackerlund is an American competitive gamer who rose to prominence after winning the 1990 Nintendo World Championships and is considered a pioneer of modern-day esports.

Early life As a child, Aackerlund started playing video games while waiting for a new school year to begin after having missed one due to his mother being hospitalized after a fire. He couldn't afford a Nintendo Entertainment System, so he bought a Game Boy but didn't have the money for any extra games, which put him on the path of playing Tetris, as it was included for free.

Aackerlund felt pressured to play, as the prize money and endorsements were financially important for his family.

Other works Aackerlund is a featured player in the 2011 documentary film Ecstasy of Order: The Tetris Masters, which covers his second effort in competitive video gaming at the 2010 Classic Tetris World Championship.