Pakistan clinched another coveted gaming trophy on Sunday, emerging victorious against South Korea in a thrilling showdown with a 3-2 triumph to claim the prestigious TEKKEN 7 Nations Cup in Riyadh.
The tournament, organized by the Saudi Esports Federation and featuring 16 national teams from around the world, witnessed intense battles among gamers who chose from a diverse range of over 40 characters. The four-day event held from July 6 through July 9 had a remarkable $1 million prize pool.
TEKKEN 7, renowned as one of the best-selling fighting games and a beloved installment in the franchise, set the stage for Pakistan’s victory. The team, consisting of Arslan Siddique, also known as “Arslan Ash,” Imran Khan, and Atif Butt, seized the coveted trophy in an electrifying final before an enthusiastic crowd. The audience erupted into chants of “Pakistan” as the triumphant trio proudly hoisted the trophy.
Khan expressed his gratitude, saying, “Alhamdulillah, I am feeling very blessed, very good. Saudi people are amazing. I believe our victory is a result of the prayers of our mothers that supported us throughout.”
To secure their place in the final, Pakistan overcame the United Kingdom with a 2-1 victory in an intense match on Saturday. During the group stages, they displayed their dominance by defeating South Africa, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, earning their spot in the semifinals.
The stunning victory earned Pakistan the title of “The Greatest Tekken Team In the World”. The Pakistan team also won the 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.
Pakistani gamers shine on global stage
Pakistan’s success in global Tekken competitions continues to shine brightly. In April, Siddique achieved a remarkable feat by winning the global Tekken 7 competition at the Evolution Championship Series (EVO) Japan 2023, triumphing over competitors in the largest game-fighting competition worldwide. This victory adds to his collection of three EVO titles, with previous wins in the Tekken 7 competitions held in Japan in February 2019 and Las Vegas later that same year. Siddique holds the distinction of being the first unified EVO champion.
Tournaments at the Gaming competition
‘Gamers8: The Land of Heroes’, a thrilling eight-week festival from July to September, will showcase 15 tournaments featuring the top-12 video games. Held at a purpose-built venue, the event offers an immersive experience with global concert performances scheduled for every Friday and a multitude of entertainment zones and activities.
The festival boasts an impressive lineup of tournaments, including Fortnite, the Tekken 7 Nations Cup, PUBG Mobile World Invitational, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, Dota 2, StarCraft II, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Rocket League, PUBG Global Series 2, three FIFAe tournaments, and Street Fighter 6.
Gamers8
Held in Riyadh, KSA, Gamers8 is the world’s largest gaming and esports event and the destination for the world’s elite esports champions and gaming universe lovers. It’s the ultimate destination where gamers can compete for glory and become a hero walking among the worlds of their chosen story.