MUMBAI: When the going got tough, S8ul got going and how! In a run that could rival any anime redemption arc, the Indian esports juggernaut clawed its way back from early defeat to punch its ticket to the Pokémon World Championship 2025 in Anaheim, USA. This marks a hat-trick of national triumphs for S8ul, reinforcing their stranglehold on the Indian Pokémon Unite scene.

After a bumpy start in the India qualifiers a 0-2 stumble to True Rippers in the Upper Bracket S8ul fell into the dreaded Lower Bracket. But instead of crumbling, the squad dug deep, unleashing a four-match knockout blitz. They swept past Team Dynamis, crushed Autobotz, and settled scores with True Rippers in an emotionally charged rematch before toppling QML to make the Grand Finals.

With the momentum firmly in their Pokéballs, they faced off against Revenant Xspark in the finals, clinching the crown with a 2-0, 2-1 victory combo. The win not only earned them a cool Rs 12.85 lakh in prize money but, more importantly, secured their slot among the top 32 teams heading to Worlds.

The S8ul roster is stacked with talent: Manmohan ‘AllMight’ Singh (captain), Rahul “Kyurem” Lavhate, Deep “Snowyy” Patel, Adnan “Badshahh” Badshah, Rudra “ReX” Nayak, and Aditya “Reapy” Bhujbal, a squad known for sharp strats, ice-cold nerves, and synergy that rivals any evolution chain.

Speaking on the achievement, team captain Manmohan ‘AllMight’ Singh said, “Representing India at the World Championship is a fantastic feeling. We knew we had the potential, it was about staying composed and focused after the initial round loss. This victory is a testament to our hard work, dedication, team strategy and communication. We’re honored to represent the nation and will give it everything we’ve got in Anaheim.”

S8ul, founder & CEO Animesh Agarwal added, “Winning the Indian qualifiers for the third time in a row is a proud moment for all of us at S8ul. This team has consistently raised the bar for Indian esports and their resilience in this campaign was nothing short of inspiring. Representing India on a global stage again is not just an achievement, it’s a responsibility and we’re ready to make the country proud.”

The Pokémon World Championship 2025 will unfold from 15–17 August in Anaheim, featuring top global squads fighting for a slice of the Rs 4.28 crore prize pool. As an official club partner at the Esports World Cup (EWC), S8ul is already a flagbearer for Indian gaming on the world stage and with their Anaheim adventure looming, they’re ready to evolve once again.