India just made global esports history. Animesh “8bit Thug” Agarwal walked away with the Esports Personality of the Year trophy at the Esports Awards 2025 on November 19, becoming the first Indian to clinch this prestigious honor. The win wasn’t just personal glory. It validated everything the Indian esports scene has been building toward for years.
First Nomination, First Win – 8bit Thug Becomes the Esports Personality of the Year at Esports Awards 2025
8bit Thug didn’t just compete for the award. He dominated it. In his debut nomination for this category, he beat out heavyweight names like Marc “Caedrel” Lamont, Ibai Llanos, Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, and Jeremy to claim the crown. That’s not beginner’s luck. That’s recognition of sustained impact on a global scale.
The timing couldn’t be better. This was India’s second trophy of the night, with S8UL Esports securing its fourth consecutive Esports Content Group of the Year award just moments earlier. The double win turned what was already a significant evening into a defining moment for Indian gaming on the world stage.
Building S8UL’s Indian Gaming Empire
What sets 8bit Thug apart is the infrastructure he’s built. Born in Guwahati on March 5, 1996, he transitioned from competitive PUBG Mobile player to esports entrepreneur, co-founding 8Bit before teaming up with Mortal to launch S8UL. But he didn’t stop at creating another gaming org. He built an ecosystem.
S8UL now houses over 25 content creators, has partnerships with 250+ brands including Monster Energy, Lenovo, and Red Bull, and operates competitive rosters across multiple titles. The organization’s Gaming House 2.0 provides infrastructure that Indian creators previously could only dream about.
Recognition That’s Been Building
This award acknowledges years of grinding when Indian esports barely registered on international radars. Thug pushed BGMI into mainstream consciousness. He mentored dozens of creators, and proved that Indian gaming organizations could compete with, and beat global giants.
The Esports Awards ceremony in Las Vegas has been called the Oscars of gaming. Winning there means something. It’s validation from the global community that Indian esports isn’t just growing. It’s LEADING.