'If I really cheated, I would’ve won': Thai esports star disqualified from SEA Games denies she cheated in 0-3 loss to Vietnam

Thai esports athlete Naphat Warasin, 24, also known as Tokyogurl, has denied that she cheated at the 2025 SEA Games on Dec. 15.

She was disqualified after she used unauthorised software during a match.

In an official statement shared on Facebook, the Thailand Esports Federation (TESF) confirmed that Naphat was removed following a violation during an Arena of Valor (AoV) match against Vietnam.

She was also terminated from her management agency and barred from future tournaments, reported The Bangkok Post.

Had a panic attack

Naphat denied cheating claims, adding that she suffered from a panic attack during the match.

According to Thaiger, she said in a social media post:

"If I really cheated, I would’ve won already."

She said she was "so nervous" that she fainted, which led to her hospitalisation.

"I only just got access to my phone. When the cable connects to the phone, it can’t mirror the screen or anything. You don’t know what happened, yet you’re doing this. Everyone’s acting like this. What do you expect me to say?"

She also addressed criticism about her alleged inappropriate conduct during the match's livestream, saying she was just messing around.

The gamer had been filmed raising her middle finger at the camera, while grinning and sticking her tongue out.

Acted nervous

VNExpress, however, noted that her statement contradicted Thailand's team captain's account.

The captain reportedly claimed that Naphat had asked to borrow her competition device to check and install items, saying that her own phone had no internet connection.

That violated competition regulations.

The captain also noted that Naphat seemed nervous and had rushed forward when allowed onstage, which she said made her suspicious.

The team had suspected Naphat of cheating two days before the event, but lacked the evidence to back their claims up.

She further said Naphat demanded an apology when the team brought this up to her.

Image from Thaiger and VNExpress