Latest news with #TwistedMinds
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.
Arab News
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Twisted Minds defend Overwatch 2 crown at ESL Saudi Challenge 2025
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's top Overwatch 2 team, Twisted Minds, have once again stamped their authority on the national stage, successfully defending their title at the ESL Saudi Challenge 2025, held at Riyadh's VOV Gaming Arena. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The high-octane finale saw Twisted Minds overcome a fierce challenge from Al-Qadsiah, who went into the match with a lot of momentum after a decisive win against Team Vision in the semifinals. The final matchup was a showcase of strategy and execution, with Twisted Minds ultimately pulling ahead through superior coordination and championship composure. With the win, they not only retained the title but also secured a berth in the Overwatch Champions Series, the official qualifier for the Esports World Cup. They also claimed the top prize from a $20,000 pool. The ESL Saudi Challenge, launched by ESL FACEIT Group, is part of a broader push to elevate the competitive gaming scene in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. Designed as both a platform for talent and a pipeline to international competitions, the tournament reflects the Kingdom's growing role in the global esports ecosystem. 'The ESL Saudi Challenge is a cornerstone in our long-term commitment to building a thriving and sustainable esports ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region,' said Franck Guignery, the group's senior vice president for MENA. 'Through this tournament, we're not only creating high-level competitive opportunities for local talent but also reinforcing the Kingdom's role as a key player on the global esports map. 'This is just the beginning, we see Saudi and MENA as essential to the future of competitive gaming and we're here to help shape that future.' As Twisted Minds prepare to represent Saudi Arabia in the OWCS, the Kingdom's position as a force in international esports continues to grow. With strategic investments, a strong talent pool and quality infrastructure, the country is no longer just part of the global esports movement it is helping to lead it.
Arab News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Top team to be crowned at ESL Saudi Challenge grand final
RIYADH: The ESL Saudi Challenge 2025 reaches a thrilling climax this Friday at VOV Gaming in Riyadh, where Saudi Arabia's top Overwatch 2 teams are set to battle for regional supremacy and a place on the global stage. The high-stakes tournament will see Team Vision take on Al-Qadsiah in a best-of-five showdown, with the winner advancing to face reigning champions Twisted Minds in a best-of-seven grand final. With qualification for the Overwatch Champions Series and the Esports World Cup at stake, the event is being hailed as a defining moment for the Kingdom's esports scene. This year's ESL Saudi Challenge is playing a crucial role in Saudi Arabia's evolving esports ecosystem. More than just a tournament, it serves as a direct pathway to international competition while highlighting the rising caliber of local talent. Organized by ESL FACEIT Group, the world's leading esports and video game entertainment company, the tournament reflects the Kingdom's broader ambitions to become a global gaming hub. EFG was acquired in 2022 by Savvy Games Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, in a $1.5 billion deal aimed at accelerating the growth of esports in the region. The ESL Saudi Challenge is a key pillar in that strategy, with EFG also serving as the main operating partner for the Esports World Cup over the next five years. The group's involvement marks a long-term vision to build a world-class esports infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and provide new opportunities for players, fans and creators alike. Viewers can tune in to the action live on ESL Arabia's official channels across X, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. As anticipation builds for Friday's final, the event promises not only elite-level Overwatch 2 gameplay, but a powerful statement of intent from a nation rapidly becoming a leader in global esports.
