Pakistani gamer Arslan Siddique aka “Arslan Ash,” emerged victorious in the Tekken 7 competition at EVO Japan 2023 on Sunday, defeating South Korea’s Meo-IL.
This would be the third EVO title for Ash, who hails from Lahore, who previously won the Tekken 7 tournament in Japan and the Evolution Championship Series in the United States in 2019. In EVO 2022, Siddique secured a third-place finish in the Tekken 7 competition.
Arslan Siddique displayed exceptional skill during the tournament, playing the character Zafina. In the final leg of the competition, he faced South Korea’s Meo-IL, who chose Geese Howard as their character. Siddique dominated the match, winning with a score of 3-0. South Korea’s Rangchu secured third place in the event.
The top three winners, including third-place Rangchu from South Korea, received cash prizes and rewards presented by Tekken series game director and chief producer Katsuhiro Harada.
Tekken series game director and chief producer Katsuhiro Harada awarded cash prizes and additional rewards to the top three winners. EVO, or the Evolution Championship Series, is the largest fighting game tournament globally, drawing players worldwide to compete in Las Vegas. EVO Japan is another championship event in the same spirit as the primary EVO tournament.
Tekken is a well-loved fighting video game franchise developed by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game’s rich history dates back to its initial release in 1994, with Tekken 7 is the latest main installment. The series is known for its extensive roster of characters, each with unique fighting styles and a deep storyline primarily focused on the Mishima family.
The Tekken series has significantly impacted the fighting game community and esports scene, with numerous international tournaments held annually. The competitions showcase the highest levels of skill and draw top players from around the world
EVO, the world’s largest fighting game tournament, invites players from around the globe to compete in Las Vegas, while EVO Japan serves as another world championship in the same vein.
In February, another Pakistani player, Atif Butt, won the Tekken World Tour 2022 video game tournament in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Butt is a member of the gaming team founded by Arslan “Ash” Siddique. The continued success of Pakistani players in the Tekken scene highlights the country’s growing presence and skill in the world of competitive gaming.