The Asian Games, like other sporting events such as the European Football Championship, had to be suspended and postponed from its original date due to Covid-19. Originally, the Asian Games were to be held in 2022, when the pandemic was not at its worst; however, the organizers opted to postpone the event until this year.
As a result, athletes from the nations participating in these games are already preparing. This edition of the Asian Games takes place in Hangzhou, China. On the other hand, it is important to mention that esports is considered one of the 37 sports that receive medals in this event.
Asian Games for esports:
23 Sept 2023 – 08 Oct 2023LoL Worlds:
10 Oct 2023 – 19 Nov 2023
(Swiss Stage from 19 Oct 2023) https://t.co/imybJkJE6R— Xxylerz (@T1Xxylerz) April 23, 2023
In the 2018 edition of the Asian Games, all eyes were on the confrontation of China against South Korea in the League of Legends competitions. This is because these two countries were in the same group. However, Korea took first place. But it was not all happiness for the Korean athletes because, in the grand final, they faced again the Chinese athletes who took the title of champions.
Since that edition, the Asian Games have become an obsession for South Korea. As a result, South Korea has already started to select the athletes representing them this year.
South Korea chooses athletes to represent them at the Asian Games
Kim “kkOma” Jeong-gyun is responsible for selecting the athletes for the Asian Games. The following factors are taken into account when selecting the athletes:
- Athletes must have participated in one of the four major regionals.
- On the other hand, the regional and international successes the athletes have achieved in the events from the Summer Split in 2021 to the Mid-Season Invitational in 2023.
- Other factors considered are the players’ statistics and awards, the champion they play with, and the percentage damage they have inflicted playing with their team.
These are some of the players who have already been shortlisted:
Support
- Keria – T1
- Delight – Gen.G
- BeryL – DRX
Middle
- ZEKA – Hanwha Life Esports
- Faker – T1
- Chovy – Gen.G
- ShowMaker – Dplus KIA
Jungle
- Canyon – Dplus KIA
- Oner – T1
- Kanavi – JD Gaming
- Peanut – Gen.G
Top
- Kiin – KT Rolster
- Zeus – T1
- Doran – Gen.G
- Kingen – Hanwha Life Esports
ADC
- Peyz – Gen.G
- Deft – Dplus KIA
- Viper – Hanwha Life Esports
- Ruler – JD Gaming
- Gumayusi – T1
You can see how T1 and Gen.G are the clear leaders in terms of representation, as they have all their players on the shortlist. On the other hand, two of the best players from JD Gaming and Dplus KIA are present. In turn, some of the Hanwha Life Esports players have been shortlisted thanks to the last world cup, where their attendance was very remarkable.
Importance of a gold medal for South Korea at the Asian Games
Esports arrived at the Asian Games in 2018 when Jakarta and Palembang (Indonesia) hosted the competition. The participants in that edition, in which China became the League of Legends champion, won medals. Still, since it was an “exhibition sport,” these did not appear in the official medal standings.
However, this year is different; the category now belongs to virtual reality, and esports are already included in the list of recognized sports from 2023.
On the other hand, other games outside League of Legends that are contested in the Asian Games are the following:
- Dota 2
- PUBG Mobile
- FIFA
- Arena of Valor
- Street Fighter V
So for South Korea winning a gold medal in this edition of the Asian Games has a very important meaning. In addition, athletes can be exempted from compulsory military service in South Korea if they win the gold medal.