Arslan Ash humbled his competition with an undefeated run at the Tekken World Tour 2023 Finals — even including a bit of spice with his character pick.
Arslan’s journey to the top was nothing short of impressive. The 28-year-old dominated the global leaderboard and delivered an outstanding performance throughout the tournament, capping it off with a surprising choice of character in the Grand Finals.
The Pakistani fighting game prodigy entered the TWT 2023 Finals as the undisputed leader of the global leaderboard, boasting an impressive 2290 points. His lead was substantial, with a remarkable gap of over a thousand points ahead of the second-placed player, Lim “Ulsan” Soo-hoon. This exceptional qualification set the stage for Arslan to showcase his prowess on the grandest Tekken stage.
Arslan’s dominance continued in the tournament itself, where he delivered a flawless performance in the group stage. Finishing with a perfect 4-0 standing, He demonstrated his strategic brilliance and exceptional execution, leaving opponents in awe of his skill. His winning streak extended into the Top 8, where the reigning EVO champ faced some of Korea’s best players.
Arslan Ash faced CBM in the grand final with a surprise pick
The climactic moment arrived when Arslan Ash faced off against Kim “CBM” Jae-hyun in the grand final. Adding an element of surprise to the match, Arslan opted for a blind pick, revealing his pocket Katarina – the same character that was used to eliminate him in the previous year’s TWT Finals. This strategic move caught everyone off guard, setting the stage for an intense and unpredictable showdown.
Arslan’s Katarina proved to be a formidable choice. He dominated CBM’s Noctis with his signature playstyle, employing safe pokes and showcasing his mastery of Katarina’s Harrier stance. Arslan kept the pressure on his opponent throughout the series, while his calculated moves and precise execution left little room for CBM to counter effectively.
In the final round of the tournament, Arslan made a critical block against Noctis’ Hydra Slice, seizing the opportunity to punish with a launcher. Though the combo wasn’t enough to secure victory, Arslan displayed his exceptional awareness and quick decision-making by opting for a Needle Kick Combo. This move efficiently poked away the remaining speck of life from CBM, securing Arslan Ash’s victory 3-1 and crowning him the Tekken World Tour 2023 Champion.
With this triumph, Arslan Ash not only claimed the prestigious US$50,000 prize money but also etched his name in the annals of Tekken history. 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, solidifying his status as one of the greatest Tekken players of his generation.
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