Latest news with #TwistedMinds
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- 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
6 days ago
- 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.
Express Tribune
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Arslan Ash banned for droping: Tekken champion shares his response, including when he will return
Tekken champion Arslan Ash has responded to a doping sanction issued by the International Esports Federation (IESF), stating he unknowingly consumed banned substances and had no intention to gain an advantage in competition. In June, the IESF announced that Ash tested positive for anabolic steroids following his victory at the 2022 World Esports Championship (WEC22) in Tekken 7. The substances detected, 19-norandrosterone, stanozolol metabolites and others, are banned by the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA), whose list the IESF follows. The ruling led to a two-year ban from IESF-sanctioned events, retroactively covering April 26 2023 to April 25 2025. Ash was also stripped of all titles, points, prize money and awards earned between December 10 2022 and the start of the ban. This included his WEC22 title. Ash, widely regarded as one of the best Tekken players in history, he was unaware the supplements he took were considered performance-enhancing, as reported by ProPakistani. 'I wasn't aware these drugs were banned in esports,' he said. 'I was never using them for any kind of advantage in gaming.' He explained that the substances were sold to him in 2022 by a trainer at a gym in Pakistan. 'I was misled and unfortunately became a victim of a gym culture where substances like these are sold casually, with zero guidance or education,' he wrote later on social media. The IESF maintained its 'zero-tolerance' stance in its original statement, saying it would continue to enforce WADA-based testing protocols across global esports events. However, the decision has been met with scepticism. Critics have questioned both the timing of the ruling, more than two years after the competition, and the relevance of steroid testing in a discipline not reliant on physical performance. The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) also released a statement declining to enforce the ruling, arguing that the anti-doping framework being applied lacks scientific basis for esports. 'Without a scientifically grounded and purpose-built approach to anti-doping in esports, serious consequences to competitive integrity are inevitable,' ESIC said. Ash said he stopped using the supplements once he learned their contents and has since prioritised education and health. 'I've joined a better gym, taken full responsibility and educated myself to ensure this never happens again,' he said. Despite the controversy, Ash's most significant victories, including multiple EVO titles and the 2023 Tekken World Tour, remain recognised by tournament organisers. His sponsor, Twisted Minds, also voiced support, calling the IESF's framework 'outdated' and not designed for esports. 'Arslan's career has always been built on skill, passion and relentless work,' the team said in a statement. Twisted Minds reaffirms its full support for Arslan Ash. The following is our official statement regarding the IESF's recent ruling. — Twisted Minds 🧠 (@TwisMinds) July 3, 2025 Ash first rose to international prominence in 2019, becoming the first player to win both EVO Japan and EVO Las Vegas in the same year. With five EVO titles and a World Tour championship, he remains one of the most decorated players in the history of competitive Tekken.
Arab News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Twisted Minds top cross-game leaderboard after 19 Saudi eLeague tournaments
RIYADH: Twisted Minds are top of the Saudi eLeagues, the Kingdom's premier esports league, following 19 tournaments in the season so far. Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation and hosted at the SEF Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City, the league brings together Saudi Arabia's top esports clubs competing across multiple games and divisions. So far, more than 40 clubs have competed across a total of 19 tournaments — 14 in the Elite category and five in the Women's division — in the race for points on the coveted Clubs Cross-Game Leaderboard. These points will also determine which teams secure spots in the championship, the league's marquee event where the best teams will clash for the ultimate title and a share of the SR7 million ($1.87 million) prize pool. As the dust settles on the first phase of the season, the leaderboard is beginning to take shape: For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Each tournament has added its own narrative to the Saudi eLeague, from Overwatch 2, VALORANT and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to EA SPORTS FC 25 and battleground drama in PUBG and PUBG MOBILE. Meanwhile, the Women's division has delivered some of the league's most inspiring moments, highlighting the rising skill level and growing depth of talent in Saudi Arabia's esports scene. With the league now at its halfway point, every point earned is a step closer to final success. Twisted Minds may sit top for now, but with Team Falcons and Al-Qadsiah Esports breathing down their necks, the race will continue apace. 'The halfway point of this year's Saudi eLeagues highlights just how extraordinary and competitive this season has been,' said Abdullah Alnasser, head of esports products at the Saudi Esports Federation. 'What sets this year apart from previous seasons is the sheer intensity and depth of competition across all categories. From the Elite tournaments to the Women's division, we've witnessed remarkable growth — not just in the number of clubs participating, but in the level of skill, strategy and determination on display. 'The race for the top is far from over, and every match continues to push the boundaries of what our players and teams can achieve. This season is shaping up to be something truly special, a milestone moment for Saudi esports that reflects the incredible progress of our scene.'
Arab News
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi eLeague concludes first phase of 2025 season
RIYADH: The Saudi eLeague, the Kingdom's premier esports competition, has seen over 40 clubs take part in the 2025 season. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation and hosted at the SEF Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City, the league showcases the Kingdom's top clubs as they battle across multiple titles and divisions. Participating clubs have so far battled across 10 high-stakes contests, six in the elite category and four in the women category, with valuable points up for grabs at the top of the cross-game leaderboard. The final standings will determine the qualifiers for the championship, the league's most prominent event in which top clubs compete for the ultimate title and a major share of a prize pool worth almost $1.9 million. Twisted Minds lead the pack after the latest round, with Team Falcons second. Al-Qadsiah Esports sit in third, the breakout team of the season, surging up the ranks with wins in both the men's and women's contests. The first phase of the Saudi eLeague season has now concluded, and Abdullah Al-Nasser, head of esports products at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: 'The strong start to this year's Saudi eLeague says a lot about how far the scene has come. 'Compared to previous seasons … we're seeing real progress, more clubs, stronger competition, new talents and growing excitement from the community. 'What matters most is how competitive and intense every match has become. (It is) a platform where Saudi talents and clubs can grow, compete, and shine on bigger stages.' Fans can follow the action live at the SEF Arena or via Saudi eLeague channels on Twitch, YouTube, and social platforms.
