Evo France 2025 wasn`t just Europe`s largest fighting game event; it was the global stage for the competitive debut of 2XKO, Riot Games` ambitious new 2v2 fighter. Amidst the clamor of anticipation and the clash of seasoned veterans, one player emerged not merely victorious, but utterly dominant: the French prodigy, Marwan `Wawa` Berthe.
The First Impact: 2XKO Enters the Fray
Riot Games` entry into the traditional fighting game genre with 2XKO (formerly Project L) has been met with significant excitement, alongside a healthy dose of critical scrutiny. Leveraging popular champions from their flagship title, League of Legends, and transforming them into dynamic 2v2 fighters, 2XKO carries the weight of high expectations. Riot`s commitment to esports from day one is evident, with the “First Impact” series designed to firmly plant 2XKO within the venerated Fighting Game Community (FGC).
Evo France 2025, held in Nice, served as the launchpad for this competitive initiative. It was an opportunity for players to etch their names into the game`s nascent history, and for the FGC to witness the first true test of 2XKO`s competitive viability.
A Gauntlet of Giants: Who Challenged the Throne?
The 2XKO tournament at Evo France attracted a formidable roster of talent. This wasn`t merely a gathering of hopefuls; it was a convergence of fighting game titans, each with a legacy of championships across multiple titles. Among the most notable challengers were:
- Dominique `SonicFox` McLean: An Evo champion, renowned for their unparalleled ability to master any fighting game thrown their way.
- William `Leffen` Hjelte: A legend in Super Smash Bros. Melee, who has consistently proven his versatility by excelling in other fighting game circuits.
- Jo’siah ‘Hikari’ Miller: A Dragon Ball FighterZ world champion and Evo winner, who also claimed the DBFZ title at Evo France 2025.
- Steve ‘Supernoon’ Carbajal: Another American fighting game icon whose presence alone signals serious competition.
Many expected one of these established luminaries to naturally ascend to the top, adding the inaugural 2XKO title to their already impressive résumés. After all, the FGC often sees its legends adapt swiftly to new landscapes. However, the narrative had a different champion in mind.
Wawa`s Masterclass: Dominance Personified
Marwan `Wawa` Berthe, himself an Evo champion with significant victories in Dragon Ball FighterZ, including the 2022 World Championship, arrived with his own formidable pedigree. Yet, even with this background, his performance in 2XKO was nothing short of a revelation. Facing a field of 256 competitors, Wawa navigated the brackets with remarkable ease, showcasing an immediate mastery of 2XKO`s mechanics and meta.
His path to the Grand Finals was a testament to his skill:
- Wawa defeated SonicFox in the Winners Semi-Finals with a decisive 2-1 victory, sending one of the tournament favorites to the Losers Bracket.
- He then secured his spot in the Grand Finals by overcoming Supernoon in the Winners Final.
Supernoon, however, battled his way back through the Losers Bracket, eventually defeating SonicFox again to earn a rematch against Wawa. The Grand Finals was set: a chance for redemption, or a coronation.
In the end, it was a coronation. Wawa delivered a resounding 3-1 victory against Supernoon, cementing his status as the undisputed champion of 2XKO`s first major tournament. His performance was a masterclass, demonstrating not just individual skill but an immediate understanding of the game`s strategic depth, proving that a new game means new opportunities to forge legends.
The Implications: A Star, A Game, A Future
Wawa`s victory is more than just a single tournament win; it`s a declaration. For Wawa, a current free agent, this dominant performance immediately positions him as the player to beat in the nascent 2XKO scene, undoubtedly making him a hot commodity for esports organizations. For 2XKO itself, the “First Impact” tournament delivered compelling narratives and high-level gameplay, validating Riot`s initial esports push.
SonicFox finished a commendable third, and Leffen in 7th-8th, proving the competitive depth, but Wawa`s early dominance provides a clear benchmark for aspiring players. As Wawa himself enthusiastically tweeted: “Just won 2XKO at Evo France! Congrats to my GOATs, it was so fun playing them again… Can’t wait to play and learn more about the game!”
The fighting game community now has a new spectacle to follow, a new challenger to root for (or against), and a new game that has just launched its competitive journey with an undeniable bang. The impact, indeed, has been made.
