Latest news with #EvolutionChampionshipSeries
Business Recorder
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Recorder
Arslan Ash clinches historic sixth EVO title, defeats fellow Pakistani Atif Butt
Pakistan's Arslan 'Ash' Siddique captured his sixth Evolution Championship Series (EVO) title in Las Vegas on August 3, triumphing in the Tekken 8 Grand Final against compatriot Atif Butt in an all‑Pakistani showdown. Representing Twisted Minds, Arslan reversed an opening set loss to win 3–1, earning US$12,000 and 800 Tour Points. Following the victory, Arslan, already a five-time EVO champion, said he felt 'so blessed' and 'grateful in victory.' EVO described the moment as 'greatness on another level.' Atif Butt, who battled through the lower bracket to reach the final, congratulated his rival but expressed disappointment at the outcome. Arslan praised Atif as 'one of the best players in the world.' This landmark win cements Arslan Ash's status as one of Tekken's greatest players globally and highlights Pakistan's dominance on the international esports stage.
Express Tribune
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Arslan Ash wins sixth EVO Tekken title after defeating Atif Butt in all-Pakistan final
Arslan Ash has further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest fighting game players of all time, capturing his sixth Evolution Championship Series (EVO) title at EVO 2025 in Las Vegas. Representing Twisted Minds, the Pakistani esports star delivered a dominant performance to win the Tekken 8 Grand Final, defeating fellow countryman Atif Butt. Arslan advanced through the upper bracket while Atif fought his way up from the lower bracket, setting up a highly anticipated all-Pakistan Grand Final. Though Atif took the first set, Arslan responded with a dominant 3-1 comeback to secure the title. Alongside the championship, Arslan earned $12,000 and 800 tour points. Greatness on another level. Congratulations to your back-to-back #Evo2025 TEKKEN 8 Champion, Arslan Ash! — Evo (@Evo) August 4, 2025 The result highlights Pakistan's rising dominance in the competitive Tekken scene. EVO 2025's final standings featured Japan's Chikurin in third place and South Korea's Mulgold in fourth. Other top-eight finishers included Tekken veterans LowHigh, NOBI, Meo-IL, and JDCR. The event's $30,000 prize pool was distributed among the top eight players. Arslan Ash relied on Anna and Nina across the tournament, while Atif primarily played as Anna. This win marks Arslan's sixth EVO title, achieved across both Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, reinforcing his reputation as a legend in the global fighting game community. This latest triumph continues Arslan's run of excellence and places Pakistan firmly at the center of the Tekken esports world. With Atif Butt also showcasing elite-level play on the international stage, Pakistan now boasts two top-tier players leading its golden era in fighting games. The rest of the world is still playing catch-up.
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Raef Alturkistani Reveals Career Journey after Winning SEF Award for Best Fighting Game Player
Raef Alturkistani recently won the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Award for Best Fighting Game Player for the second year in a row. For the first time, he reveals his incredible career journey. Dr. Raef Alturkistani chuckles when asked whether he truly saves lives by day and takes them by night. 'Yes, that's exactly what I do!' says the 28-year-old. It may sound dramatic, but his story is anything but ordinary. A Jeddah native, Alturkistani recently completed his medical residency after earning his degree from King Abdulaziz University. But beyond medicine, Alturkistani is a world-class Tekken player, recently clinching his second consecutive Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Award for Best Fighting Game Player. 'That achievement means a lot for me because I won it back-to-back,' he says. 'To win it for the second time in a row really is special. I completed my residency as a doctor and achieved so much in esports in the same year. That's what makes me proud, and I hope I continue this in the future.' His favorite esports moments in 2024 include finishing third at the Tekken World Tour Finals and securing fifth at the Evolution Championship Series (Evo) T8—achievements that cemented his global reputation. 'To come top five at Evo and in the world finals top three... that meant a lot,' Alturkistani, who stars for Dragon Esports, says. 'They contributed to winning my second SEF Award. I have developed my career over the past years until I reached this position right now of being top three in the world.' Alturkistani has been a gamer 'since I was four, I think' and started playing fighting games professionally in 2018. Juggling medicine and esports is a masterclass in time management, but Alturkistani is proving that dedication to both can pay off. 'Sometimes you have to do your own priorities,' he reveals. 'If you have a tournament coming, you have to prepare for it more, but if you have exams or things then you have to focus on your career. You have to balance it; you have to be stable and do your best at each thing when needed. 'Sometimes I play for one or two hours and sometimes I don't play but I watch, and when I watch, I learn. If I'm on an airplane or something, I'll watch to learn. It's a continuous process.' As if excelling in medicine and esports wasn't enough, Alturkistani is also a decorated martial artist, having won silver in the 2018 Asian Games men's kumite 75kg event. 'I'm a martial artist so I guess I can take lives in real life too!' the doctor and Tekken hero, who achieved his Asian Games karate triumph in Jakarta, Indonesia, quips. His favorite Tekken character, the one he performs under, is Jin Kazama. Scarily, he can replicate his favorite move with Jin Kazama in real life. 'It's a good kick,' Alturkistani says. 'I can do it myself in karate.' For all Alturkistani's individual success, he is very much a member of the gaming community and has no doubts from where the roots of Saudi Arabia's surging prominence in the global esports scene originate. 'I'm really thankful for the Saudi Esports Federation,' Alturkistani says. 'I'm really thankful for Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud (the Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation) for being here for us. Especially supporting the fighting games, it gives hope for me and the new generation that we can come up and become the best in the world. I want to be the best in the world.'
