China wins bronze in League of Legends but all eyes on South Korea in gold-medal match

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China’s League of Legends squad secured the bronze medal in the Asian Games esports competition, with a hard-fought victory over Vietnam. While initially touted as contenders for the gold, China’s team was soundly defeated by South Korea, led by the legendary player Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, widely regarded as the greatest League of Legends player of all time.

South Korea’s League of Legends team has maintained an unbeaten record in the tournament and is set to face Taiwan in the highly anticipated gold-medal match later today.

Esports made its debut at the Asian Games this year, reflecting the growing popularity and economic significance of the global gaming industry. It has garnered substantial audience attention, to the extent that organizers had to implement a lottery system for ticket distribution.

The esports competition features a variety of games, including five PC games and two mobile games, spanning both multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) and single-player genres. League of Legends, in particular, stands out as one of the most popular titles, where two teams of five champions compete to destroy each other’s bases.

The dedicated 4,500-seat esports arena was filled to capacity during the thrilling match between China and Vietnam. Spectators watched in awe as the gamers battled it out on a circular stage below while colossal television screens above displayed the action. Enthusiastic fans even donned costumes resembling their favorite League of Legends champions as they passionately cheered for their respective teams.

In the best-of-three series, Vietnam exhibited remarkable strength in the first game. However, China mounted a comeback in the second game, securing a win to level the score at 1-1. The decisive match was a nail-biter, with China taking an early lead. Vietnam made a valiant effort to come back, temporarily silencing the home crowd. It wasn’t until around 28 minutes into the game that China launched a decisive offensive, eliciting ecstatic cheers from the onlookers who waved multicolored LED sticks in the dimly lit arena. China emerged victorious, claiming the bronze medal.

Esports made its debut at the previous Asian Games in Jakarta as a demonstration sport and proved immensely popular, leading to its inclusion in this year’s competition in Hangzhou.

Apart from League of Legends, the esports lineup includes Arena of Valor Asian Games Version (also known as Honor of Kings), Peace Elite Asian Games Version (also known as PUBG Mobile), Dota 2, Dream Three Kingdoms 2, Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, and EA Sports FC (also known as FIFA Online 4). Gold medals will be awarded for each game based on varying competition formats.

Earlier in the competition, China secured gold in Arena of Valor, while Thailand claimed gold in EA Sports FC, and South Korea emerged victorious in Street Fighter V.

The global gaming industry continues to thrive, with Newzoo, a leading research firm in this field, projecting a worldwide player count of 3.38 billion by 2023, marking a 6.3% year-on-year increase. Annual revenues are expected to grow by 2.6%, reaching $187.7 billion.

Recognizing the potential of video gaming and virtual sports to engage and connect with younger audiences, the International Olympic Committee recently established a formal esports commission with a particular focus on virtual sports.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Esports Asian Games Results

More about Esports Asian Games Results

• Asian Games Official Website
• Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok – Esports Profile
• Newzoo – Global Games Market Analysis
• League of Legends Official Website
• International Olympic Committee – Esports Commission