With a focus on international expansion, S8UL aims to redefine India’s role in the competitive Tekken scene.
Mumbai: S8UL Esports, a global powerhouse in esports and gaming content, is officially making its debut in the international fighting games arena with the signing of top-tier Tekken 8 talents Arja Gamoori (Sephiblack) and Nino Schwarz (Nino). Both players will represent the organization at the upcoming Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 in Riyadh, as well as in major international tournaments throughout the year.
With this move, S8UL continues its strategic expansion across international titles and genres, becoming one of the first Indian esports organisations to invest in Tekken, one of the most iconic fighting game franchises globally. This step not only diversifies S8UL’s esports portfolio but also marks a new chapter for India’s presence in the global fighting games community.
A seasoned competitor, Sephiblack has been playing Tekken professionally since 2017 and is renowned for his mastery of the characters Miguel and Shaheen. He was among the 32 players who competed in Tekken 8 at the inaugural Esports World Cup 2024 in Riyadh. In Tekken 7, the German international’s achievements include victories at The Vidya Invitational and the Tekken Germany Championship 2022 Finals, along with a runner-up finish at the European TEKKEN Cup 2022 Finals. He also represented Germany at Gamers8 2023 – Captains Circle, leading the team to a dominant 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the final.
Arja ‘Sephiblack’ Gamoori said, “Joining S8UL is more than just a new chapter, it’s the beginning of a shared journey towards excellence. Together, we aim to push boundaries, inspire the next generation, and leave a lasting impact on the global Tekken community. I’m ready to bring my experience and passion to this incredible team as we strive for greatness!”
Further strengthening the lineup is fellow German player Nino, widely recognised as one of Europe’s strongest specialists with the Kuma character. Nino notably won the European TEKKEN Cup 3 Finals earlier this year, going unbeaten and clinching the title with a 3-0 win over Great Britain’s JoKA. He is also the only player to have won Germany’s Crossover Tekken tournaments in both 2022 and 2023, and recently secured first place at the Fighting Games Challenge 2024 in Poland.
“S8UL stands for more than just results, they stand for ambition, culture, and a vision that goes beyond the game. I’m proud to be part of this journey as we set out to make an impact in the world of Tekken. With the Esports World Cup on the horizon, I can’t wait to don the S8UL jersey and represent everything this partnership stands for.” stated Nino ‘Nino’ Schwarz.
S8UL signing two internationally acclaimed Tekken 8 athletes represents a significant step in elevating India’s presence in the global esports circuit. This development underlines the organisation’s intent to break new ground, compete on a global scale, and inspire the next generation of Indian talent to pursue fighting games competitively.
“For us at S8UL, this isn’t just about signing top players, it’s about making a statement for Indian esports. Bringing in elite talents like Sephiblack and Nino shows that we’re not just participating, we’re here to compete and lead on the world stage.” commented Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder and CEO, S8UL. “Fighting games like Tekken have a legacy of discipline and individual brilliance, and we’re proud to now be part of that tradition. This is a step forward for S8UL, but more importantly, it’s a signal of what’s possible for Indian organisations globally.”
With this announcement, S8UL has now unveiled rosters across six different titles for the Esports World Cup 2025. The lineups are as follows:
Apex Legends: Rick Wirth (Sharky), Benjamin Spaseski (Jesko) and Tom Canty (Legacy)
Call of Duty: Warzone: Colin Bowers-Wilson (Trikempathy), Braxton Trice (Braxtvn), and Ryder Skarzinski (Ryda)
Chess: Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram
EA SPORTS FC: Jonas Wirth (Jonny) and Aaron Rivera (Happy)
Starcraft II: Pyung Jae Koh (GuMiho)
Tekken 8: Arja Gamoori (Sephiblack) and Nino Schwarz (Nino)
Additional rosters for other titles will be announced soon.
With Tekken 8 now added to its expanding esports portfolio, S8UL continues to diversify across platforms, formats, and audiences. As the only Indian organization competing in such a wide range of games, S8UL is redefining the boundaries of Indian esports.