Team Pakistan wins Tekken 7 Nations Cup in Riyadh
Pakistani gamer trio beat South Korea to take home $500,000 prize money
Islamabad: Team Pakistan emerged victorious in the Gamers8 Tekken 7 Nations Cup, defeating South Korea 3-2 in a thrilling finale held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Pakistani gamer Arslan Siddique, known as ‘Arslan Ash’, Imran Khan, and Atif Butt, raised the coveted trophy after winning the final match against South Korea and securing their position as the champions of the tournament. All three Pakistani players celebrated the stunning victory by prostrating. “Pakistan is the best Tekken region in the world” the Tekken star Arslan Ash tweeted.
“Alhamdulillah, I am feeling very blessed,” Khan said after the victory. “Saudi people are so amazing. I think it’s because of our mothers’ prayers that were behind us, that’s why we won.” Meanwhile, Butt said he was grateful to be part of the tournament and praised his “incredible teammates”.
“The Greatest Tekken Team In the World”
The victory not only earned Pakistan the title of “The Greatest Tekken Team In the World” but also a substantial prize of $500,000 out of the $1 million on offer. South Korea, the runner-up, received $200,000 for their efforts, while Team Japan, securing third place, took home $100,000. The remaining prize money was distributed among teams from the United States, UK, France, Australia, and the Philippines.
The Gamers8 Tekken 7 Nations Cup tournament was organised by the Saudi Esports Federation in Riyadh from July 6-9. The tournament, held from July 6 to 9, featured captivating story-driven cinematic battles, captivating both the live audience and the global viewership. The Tellen event served as a thrilling opening event for ‘Gamers8: The Land of Heroes’, with 16 of the world’s best Tekken 7 sides battling it out for prize money of $1 million.
Pakistani gaming community making its mark
Arslan Ash, alongside his teammates Atif Butt and Imran Khan, represented the South Asia region and showcased their exceptional gaming skills throughout the competition. The Pakistani team’s success is a source of great pride for the country’s gaming community, which is steadily making its mark on the global esports stage. Pakistan, traditionally known for its achievements in cricket, is now emerging as a major contender in the competitive fighting games arena, traditionally dominated by players from Japan, South Korea, China, and the United States. Tekken is a globally popular and critically acclaimed fighting game franchise known for its intense action, diverse roster of characters, and strategic gameplay mechanics.
Arslan Ash, a prominent name in the gaming community, has been dominating global Tekken competitions in recent years. In April, he emerged as the champion in the global Tekken 7 competition at the Evolution Championship Series (EVO) Japan 2023, solidifying his reputation as one of the best Tekken players in the world.
In February 2023, another talented Pakistani gamer, Atif Butt, won the Tekken World Tour (TWT) tournament in Amsterdam, earning the ‘King of the Iron Fist’ award.