Saudi Esports Stars Raef Turkistani and Huda Faqihi Shine in Paris

Saudi athlete Raif Turkistani has carved out a unique multi-disciplinary path, balancing a career as a surgical doctor, a national karate competitor, and an elite esports professional, according to reports from the Saudi Press Agency and Al-Sharq Al-Awsat. Turkistani claimed a gold medal in the Tekken competition at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, which concluded in November 2025, before continuing his competitive journey onto international tournament stages. Balancing Medical Studies and Competitive Karate

Turkistani’s athletic journey began in martial arts after his family initially tried to steer him away from childhood video game habits, according to coverage by Swift News. He progressed rapidly through local tournaments to earn a spot on the Saudi national karate team, securing a continental medal at the 2014 Asian Karate Championship in Kuala Lumpur after a standout performance with Al-Ittihad Club at the 2013 Dubai Open, as reported by Al-Sharq Al-Awsat. Even as he entered King Abdulaziz University to study medicine and specialize in surgery, Turkistani maintained his athletic career, representing the national team at the 2015 Asian Senior Championship in Yokohama despite demanding academic schedules and intense training loads. According to reporting by the Saudi Press Agency, balancing clinical training with athletic pursuits required strict discipline. Turkistani frequently carried study materials to training camps and reviewed notes during flights to manage his medical board exams while remaining an active international competitor. The Transition to Competitive Esports and International Success

During an evening in a training camp in Japan, Turkistani discovered an arcade cabinet featuring an early version of Tekken 7, reigniting his interest in gaming as a mental outlet, according to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat. He explained to the Saudi Press Agency that matches in Tekken offered a fast-paced release from surgical studies without draining the focus required for his medical career. Turkistani transitioned from casual play to professional competition, eventually securing the gold medal in Tekken at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh in November 2025, as documented by Al-Sharq Al-Awsat.