The 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC) concluded its highly anticipated Tekken 8 tournament this past weekend, spotlighting the electrifying talent of the world’s top fighting game competitors.
In a field crowded with veterans and break-out stars, it was South Korea’s Lim “Ulsan” Soo-hoon of Freecs who firmly established himself as one of Tekken’s all-time greats, capturing his second consecutive EWC title in as many years.
Ulsan’s Road to Victory
The high-stakes Tekken 8 event featured 32 elite players from across the globe, all vying for a share of the substantial $1million prize pool. After a grueling weekend of matches, the grand finals boiled down to a dramatic showdown between Ulsan and fellow Korean ace, Yoon “LowHigh” Sun-woong.
Employing his signature Dragunov gameplay, Ulsan delivered a commanding performance, ultimately dispatching LowHigh with a decisive 5-2 scoreline. His victory also meant success for punters who bet on him through offshore sportsbooks online.
This triumph not only secured Ulsan the winner’s trophy but also earned him a hefty $250,000 payout and 1,000 points for his team, Freecs, in the EWC’s Club Championship. The victory saw Freecs leapfrog up the tournament standings into 11th place—a remarkable achievement given they had just 1,200 points overall, substantially trailing current club leaders, Team Falcons, at 4,700 points.
French Giants Karmine Corp Dominate in Riyadh, Secure Rocket League Supremacy
Karmine Corp asserted their dominance in the Rocket League competitive scene with a stunning victory at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The French powerhouse overcame Geekay Esports in a decisive 4-1 final, earning their second major trophy of the year and the lion’s share of the $1million prize pool—an impressive $400,000 payday.
Riding the momentum of their Birmingham Major triumph in March, Karmine Corp showed remarkable resilience after a setback at the RLCS Raleigh Major, spectacularly bouncing back to reinforce their reputation as a global force.
The team’s grand final against Geekay Esports was one-sided early, as Karmine Corp raced to a 3-0 lead without conceding a single goal. Although Geekay put up resistance to take the fourth match, the French side sealed the win on their next match point.
Key to Karmine Corp’s victory was their route through top-tier teams, including overcoming NRG in the group stage and eliminating South American hopefuls Team Secret in the quarterfinals. Despite being booed by the local crowd during their semifinal clash with Team Falcons, Karmine Corp remained unfazed, advancing confidently to the final.
Axel Touret reflected pride in his squad, while Samy Hajji was named Sony MVP for his outstanding performance and celebrated his third major Rocket League title, praising the Saudi esports scene’s hospitality and energy.
With 1,000 Club Championship points from this event, Karmine Corp leapfrogged 34 places up to joint-11th in the standings. This sent a clear signal ahead of the RLCS 2025 World Championship in Lyon and officially marked them as top prospects in offshore sportsbooks online. Their victory, coupled with Geekay Esports’ impressive underdog run, sets an electrifying stage for Rocket League’s global competitive future.