China clinches first-ever esports gold at Asian Games
- By Wang Yiming
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 27, 2023
China secured the first-ever gold medal in esports at the Asian Games on Tuesday evening. They triumphed over the Malaysian team 2-0 in the highly anticipated final of the Asian Games version of Arena of Valor, also known as Honor of Kings.
The six Chinese players—Sun Linwei, Lin Heng, Luo Siyuan, Chi Xiaoming, Xu Bicheng and Jiang Tao— are all professional players from the King Pro League (KPL), China's top Honor of Kings tournament. In the final, they destroyed Team Malaysia's base crystal twice, bringing the game to a rapid conclusion within 45 minutes.
"I'm extremely thrilled and happy; at that moment standing on the award podium, I felt immensely honored and proud," said Chinese playerJiang Tao.
He added, "Everyone performed exceptionally well, and we ultimately won the gold medal. Being part of the national team, we received excellent training."
The final of the Asian Games version of Arena of Valor esports event at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Sept. 26, 2023. [Photo by Wang Yiming/China.org.cn]
Earlier on Tuesday, Thailand beat Vietnam 2-0 to clinch the bronze medal.
A total of 15 national Olympic committees from different countries and regions participated in the Honor of Kings eventat the Asian Games.
Esports was previously a demonstration sport at the 2018 Jakarta Palembang Asian Games. At this year's Games, seven game titles became official medal events, featuring 476 athletes from 30 national Olympic committees, who competed in 217 matches.
As the only event that requires potential spectators to take part in a lottery to purchase tickets, esports is one of the most popular and expensive events at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
A 19-year-old esports fan who came to see the final said, "I believe that the inclusion of esports in the Asian Games represents a significant milestone and signifies the growing popular trend of esports. Chinese esports athletes are incredibly dedicated and hardworking."
Team China competes during the Arena of Valor esports final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Sept. 26, 2023. [Photo by Wang Yiming/China.org.cn]
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