Currently, the world’s best Tekken player is crowned.
The Tekken World Tour 2023 Finals saw Arslan Ash outshining his rivals, maintaining a winning streak and even selecting an unexpected character for a dash of intrigue.
With an awe-inducing path to the top, Arslan, 28, seized the global leaderboard’s top spot. His performance in the tournament was stellar, ending with an unpredicted character selection in the Grand Finals.
Arslan Ash, a trailblazing fighting game virtuoso from Pakistan, entered the TWT 2023 Finals as the undisputed global leaderboard leader with a stunning 2290 points. His astounding upper hand, over a thousand points ahead of the runner-up competitor Lim “Ulsan” Soo-hoon, set the stage for his immense talent to be exhibited on this grand Tekken platform.
Arslan’s supremacy sustained in the tournament where he gave a faultless performance in the group stage. With a flawless 4-0 record, he displayed strategic genius and impeccable performance that left his competitors amazed. His streak of triumph continued into the Top 8, where he, the reigning EVO champion, went up against some of Korea’s top competitors.
In the grand final, Arslan Ash surprised everyone when he faced CBM
The pivotal moment arrived when Arslan Ash rivaled Kim “CBM” Jae-hyun in the grand final. Surprising everyone, Arslan revealed his hidden Katarina – the character that eliminated him in last year’s TWT Finals using a blind pick. This unpredictable selection set the stage for an action-packed and unpredictable showdown.
Arslan’s character, Katarina, proved to be an excellent choice. He maintained Arslan’s signature gameplay style, playing defensively and exhibiting Katarina’s Harrier stance skills, keeping his opponent under constant pressure while leaving little room for CBM to counter effectively due to his accurate moves and precise execution.
In the tournament’s final round, Arslan made a game-changing block against Noctis’ Hydra Slice, seizing a chance to punish with a launcher. Even though the combo wasn’t enough to secure victory, Arslan displayed his extraordinary awareness and quick decision-making by opting for a Needle Kick Combo. This move managed to chip away the remaining speck of life from CBM, securing Arslan Ash’s 3-1 victory and title of Tekken World Tour 2023 Champion.
With this victory, Arslan Ash claims not only the prestigious $50,000 prize money but also carves his name in the Tekken legacy. He became the sole player to achieve the remarkable feat of winning EVO Japan, EVO US, and the Tekken World Tour in the same year, cementing his status as one of the greatest Tekken players of his generation.
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