Winner Wasfi Bilal (YoshiKiller) and runner-up Shubham will represent India at the BRICS Esports Championship (BEC) in Moscow, Russia, on November 9-10, 2024, after topping the National Esports Championship 2024 (NESC24), held by ESFI on October 12-13, in Tekken 8. NESC23 winner and India’s representative at the IESF World Championship, Abhinav Tejan (Tejan), finished third in the tournament.
The nine-nation BEC, featuring teams from India, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, China, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates will take place at the VK Play Arena in Moscow. Competing for a RUB 1.5 million prize pool (INR 13.32 lacs), players will face off in round-robin group stages and Olympic-style playoffs, with the spectator-packed finals scheduled on November 10, 2024.
YoshiKiller, on his victory, said, “Winning the NESC24 is an incredible feeling, especially knowing that I'll be representing India at the BEC 2024 in Moscow. It's been a journey of dedication, long hours of practice, and the support of an amazing community. I can’t wait to showcase what we can achieve globally and make my country proud.”
Champion Yoshikiller remained undefeated in the tournament, showcasing his mastery in the Winners Final by edging out Shubham 3-2 in a tightly contested match. Shubham, after a narrow loss, bounced back in the Losers Final, defeating Tejan 3-2 and advancing to the Grand Final. In the Grand Final, Yoshikiller again dominated the match, securing a 3-2 victory despite Shubham’s attempts to mount a comeback.
Shubham on being placed 2nd, said, “Finishing as the runner-up at NESC24 is something I’m incredibly proud of. I gave it everything I had, and I’m honoured to have come this far. Earning the chance to represent India at the BEC 2024 in Moscow is a dream come true, and I’m excited to prove myself on the international stage. The journey’s just beginning”
As the governing body for esports in India, ESFI has been at the forefront of promoting competitive gaming, playing a pivotal role in events like the Asian Games 2018, 2022 and the Commonwealth Esports Championship 2022, where India secured bronze medals and was placed fifth for League of Legends. Having affiliations with International Esports Federation, Asian Esports Federation and Global Esports Federation, ESFI is committed to elevating India’s presence in the global esports landscape.