Tuesday saw Thailand earn the first esports medal given out at the Asian Games, taking home a bronze in a playoff against Vietnam in a game played on a mobile device. Olympic officials will be keenly watching this competition.
Five years ago, esports was only a demonstration event at the Asian Games in Jakarta. This year, for the first time, it is a medal event in Hangzhou, supporting the video game industry’s bid for an Olympic slot. In Hangzhou, competition is taking place for a total of seven gold medals in a variety of events, such as online football and multiplayer combat arena games. The tournament has drawn crowds to Hangzhou’s Esports Centre since Sunday, underlining Chinese fans’ enthusiasm for esports despite local rules limiting children’s gaming time.
On Tuesday, they cheered on five Thai gamers — Sorawat Boonphrom, Anusak Manpdong, Chayut Suebka, Vatcharanan Thaworn and Kawee Wachiraphas — as they beat their Vietnam counterparts 2-0 in a best-of-three match for bronze in ‘Arena of Valor’.