Timeouts, Tech, and Triumph: LeShar Wins Historic First Evo France

South Korean player LeShar has claimed victory at the inaugural Evo France, marking his first Evo title and solidifying his place among the elite in Street Fighter 6. His win over Chilean prodigy Blaz capped off an impressive run through a stacked bracket, earning him his third Capcom Pro Tour Premier win of the season.

LeShar’s road to victory was anything but easy. He defeated several top-tier players, including Oil King, Tokido, Kobayan, and Blaz in the Grand Final. His tense clash with Tokido was one of the weekend’s highlights, the deciding round ended in a dramatic timeout, with LeShar edging ahead by a sliver of health to secure the win.

Having already qualified for Capcom Cup XII through his Combo Breaker victory earlier this year, LeShar’s Evo France win meant that the Capcom Cup qualification spot passed down to Blaz, the runner-up. For the Chilean standout, this marks his third consecutive runner-up finish at major tournaments, after falling short against Kakeru at Capcom Cup XII and Xiao Hai at the Esports World Cup.

Despite the heartbreak, Blaz’s consistency remains exceptional. His ability to perform at the highest level with multiple characters, including Sagat, Ken, and Ryu, has earned him widespread respect in the community. His result also opens up another qualifying slot for a South American player, potentially paving the way for more regional representation at Capcom Cup.

LeShar expressed his gratitude on social media after the event:

“I won Evo France, my first Evo title, and I was especially happy to be able to do it with Tokido-san. Nice was truly the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen, and the food was delicious too! The tournament had a great environment, and I was really thrilled to meet Wawa and Mysterio, players I respect. I’m heading back to Japan to prepare for the league. Thank you for your support.”

With only one Premier event left, FightClub Championship VI Chengdu in China, the Capcom Pro Tour leaderboard is tightening. The current top six standings are as follows:

With just one major left, players like Momochi and Kobayan appear poised to secure their Capcom Cup spots, but the final slots remain wide open. Evo France may be over, but the momentum heading into Chengdu, and eventually Capcom Cup XII, has never felt higher.