Published: 11:14, September 30, 2023 | Updated: 11:19, September 30, 2023
S. Korea clinches League of Legends gold at Asian Games
By Xinhua

South Korea team competes against Chinese Taipei during the esports League of Legends final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Sept 29, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

HANGZHOU - South Korea won the gold medal in the esports League of Legends competition at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Friday with a 2-0 victory over Chinese Taipei.

South Korea showed dominance in the sport, leaving its opponent with absolutely no chance to fight back in the match.

Such a result was unsurprising, as South Korea got revenge on host China, the only team deemed capable of defeating South Korea, in Thursday's semifinals.

Seven gold medals will be decided over nine days of esports competition, including two mobile games. League of Legends is widely seen as the most popular event

China defeated South Korea at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, where esports was the demonstration event.

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With China eliminated, South Korea was already considered the early winner, and Friday's final proved it.

In the bronze-medal match, China recovered from one game down to beat Vietnam 2-1.

"Participating in the Asian Games is valuable for these players' life and career," China coach Zhu Kai said.

"This kind of experience will do a lot of good to us," Tian "Meiko" Ye, the support of China commented.

ALSO READ: China claims Asian Games' maiden esports gold

This is the first time that esports has been a medal event at the Asian Games and it will also appear in Nagoya, Japan in 2026.

Seven gold medals will be decided over nine days of esports competition, including two mobile games. League of Legends is widely seen as the most popular event.

Saturday's esports match will determine the medals of the Dream Three Kingdoms 2.