Hajra Naz
Pakistan broke South Korea’s long-standing dominance in competitive Tekken by securing victory in the Tekken 8 Soop Nations Cup held in Seoul on March 16, 2025. In an intense showdown, the Pakistani team outperformed their South Korean rivals in two fierce team battles to claim the championship title.
A Strong Start in the ‘Waseda’ Format
The first battle, known as ‘Waseda’, saw Pakistan take an early lead:
- Hafiz Tanveer (Claudio) defeated Knee (Bryan) 3-1.
- Numan (Steve) overpowered Ulsan (Dragunov) with a dominant 3-0 victory.
- Arslan Ash (Nina) narrowly edged out Rangchu (Kuma).
- Farzeen (Victor) triumphed over Mulgold (Claudio).
- Usama Abbasi (Jun) defeated JeonDDing (Eddy, Clive).
- Hafiz Tanveer (Claudio) shut out CBM (Jin) 3-0.
- Numan Ch (Steve) closed the match with a 3-0 win against Chanel (Zafina, Alisa).
With these wins, Pakistan secured a 7-3 victory over South Korea in the first battle.
‘Unleashed’ Format: Pakistan Seals the Championship
The second match, called ‘Unleashed’, was another display of Pakistan’s dominance:
- Tanveer (Claudio) defeated Mulgold (Feng) and JeonDDing (Eddy).
- TheJon (King) overcame CBM (Jin) and Rangchu (Kuma) in straight sets.
- Korea fought back through LowHigh (Bryan) and Mulgold (Claudio), winning against Arslan Ash (Nina), Atif (Dragunov), Farzeen (Victor), and Usama Abbasi (Jun).
- TheJon (King) secured a crucial 2-1 win over Knee (Bryan).
Despite Korea’s attempt to make a comeback, Pakistan remained in control. TheJon defeated Ulsan (Dragunov) 2-0, and Farzeen (Victor) eliminated LowHigh (Bryan). Finally, Atif (Dragunov) sealed the victory by knocking out Mulgold (Claudio) and Rangchu (Kuma), bringing the final score to 13-9 in Pakistan’s favor.
A Historic Moment for Pakistan’s Esports Scene
This victory is a major milestone for Pakistan’s esports community, reinforcing its reputation as a rising powerhouse in competitive Tekken. South Korea, a historically dominant force in the game, acknowledged Pakistan’s growing strength and even hinted at a future rematch.
Rangchu, a South Korean player, shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter):
“They are the best region in the world. But we are going for a revenge match next time! Thank you to the Pakistani players for coming to Korea and making this an amazing experience. Enjoy your time in Korea!”
The Future of Esports in Pakistan
Pakistan’s Tekken 8 success comes at a time when esports is gaining recognition as a serious competitive industry in the country.
To develop new talent, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, has underlined the need for esports clubs, scholarships, and university-sponsored gaming tournaments. Officials have also said that Pakistan wants to adopt Saudi Arabia’s model for gaming infrastructure, modifying it to meet regional requirements and support the growth of the sector.
A Moment of Pride for Pakistan
Team Pakistan showed tenacity and skill in the face of early setbacks, mounting a formidable comeback to win the Tekken 8 Soop Nations Cup title. In addition to demonstrating Pakistan’s supremacy in competitive Tekken, this triumph marks a significant advancement in the nation’s esports revolution.
