5 min read
Pakistan is the strongest Tekken region on the planet. The Tekken World Tour Challenger Event: Takedown 2025, which started on Oct 24th to 26th, 2025, just proved that. The tournament turned into a full display of local dominance, with every player in the Top 8 being a new, underrated or never-before-seen player from Pakistan.
Legendary names like Arslan Ash and Atif Butt got eliminated from the tournament in the Top 32. The new wave of Pakistani talent absolutely delivered as they took centre stage.
Big Names Fall Early
Even the biggest names couldn’t escape the chaos at Takedown 2025.
Arslan Ash (Nina, Anna), Pakistan’s most decorated Tekken player, was sent to the losers side by Abid Rajpoot (Reina), who won six straight rounds against him in a stunning upset.
Arslan then switched to “Anna” against Shehram (Zafina) in the Losers Top 32, but was eliminated from the tournament, marking one of his rare early exits.
Soon after, Atif Butt (Anna, Dragunov), another global champion and Pakistani Tekken giant, was sent to the losers bracket by Amar XR (King) in Top 32 and later knocked out by Hafiz Tanveer (Claudio, Nina).
It wasn’t just the local stars who struggled. Book, one of Thailand’s best players and among the world’s top “Jin” mains, was also eliminated by Hafiz Tanveer in the Losers Top 32.
These early exits from three of the biggest names in competitive Tekken showed how deep, unpredictable, and fiercely skilled Pakistan’s Tekken scene has become.
Hafiz Tanveer’s Explosive Lower Bracket Run
Hafiz Tanveer (Claudio, Nina) had one of the most explosive runs of the event.
He fought his way through the losers side, stunning the crowd by eliminating Book in the Losers Round 2 of Top 32. Book is one of the best Jin mains in the world and was the only international player left in the tournament.
Then, in another shocking result, Tanveer knocked out Atif Butt in Losers Round 3, ending the TWT champion’s run early.
Tanveer’s streak finally ended in Losers Round 4, where he lost to Hafeez, a Devil Jin player few had expected to see in Top 8.
Top 8: Pakistan’s New Blood Steps Up
Takedown 2025’s Top 8 lineup showed just how deep Pakistan’s Tekken talent goes:
- Usama Abbasi (Eddy): New champion with calm nerves and clean execution.
- Falcons | Farzeen (Lidia, Victor): Carried his org’s banner with style and grit.
- QAD | The Jon (King): The best King main on the planet.
- Billy Gaming | Heera Malik (Steve): Veteran Steve main and an OG of Pakistani Tekken.
- AG | M. Zubair (Paul): Arguably the world’s best Paul player.
- Mohsin Shooter (Clive): Explosive and new to the big stage.
- Hafeez (Devil Jin): A breakout performer with a “low-tier” character.
- Amar XR (King): Another strong new face representing the new era.
Hafeez’s Devil Jin Surprises Everyone
Hafeez became one of the biggest talking points of Takedown 2025. Using Devil Jin, a character considered among the weakest in the game, he defied all odds and made it to the Top 8.
His incredible performance proved that Pakistan’s depth runs far beyond just a few big names.
He was eventually eliminated by Heera Malik (Steve) in Losers Round 1 of Top 8, but his run left a mark on both fans and pros.
Heera Malik’s Consistency and Comeback
Heera Malik once again proved his consistency. He only lost to Farzeen (Lidia), once on the winners side and again in the Losers Semifinal, which ended his tournament run in 4th place. Despite the losses, his “Steve” play remained one of the cleanest in the event.
The Jon’s Close Calls
The Jon (King) kept up his strong international reputation. He faced Usama Abbasi in the Winners Final and lost narrowly 2-3, dropping to the losers side.
There, he met Farzeen, who bested him 3-2 in another close series, sending him out in 3rd place.
Farzeen’s Bracket Reset Heroics
Farzeen, representing Falcons, had an incredible losers-side journey.
He tore through opponents, reaching the Grand Final against Usama Abbasi (Eddy). In their first set, Farzeen reset the bracket with a dominant 3-0 win. However, Usama Abbasi adapted and won the Grand Final Reset 3-1, securing the Takedown 2025 championship.
Interestingly, Farzeen only used “Lidia” throughout the tournament, except once, when he brought out “Victor” to beat The Jon’s “King” in the Losers Final.
Usama Abbasi’s Unstoppable Run to the Title
Usama Abbasi (Eddy) had the tournament of his life at Takedown 2025. Despite having no sponsorship, he took down some of the strongest players in Pakistan’s stacked Tekken scene.
Usama held his composure throughout intense sets. He defeated The Jon in the Winners Final (3-2). He later reclaimed victory over Farzeen in the Grand Final Reset (3-1) after dropping the first set. His sharp reads, fearless pressure, and clutch decision-making earned him the Takedown 2025 championship, proving that even without a sponsor, sheer skill can conquer the best.
Pakistan’s Depth Is Unmatched
Takedown 2025 proved that Pakistan’s Tekken scene runs deeper than ever.
It’s not just about Arslan Ash and Atif Butt anymore. The region continues to produce world-class talent at every event, each more skilled and unpredictable than the last.
With players like Usama Abbasi, Farzeen, Heera Malik, and Hafeez rising through the ranks, Pakistan isn’t just part of Tekken’s top tier; it is the top tier.
