Thailand secured the first-ever esports medal at the Asian Games by winning bronze in a mobile phone game against Vietnam, marking a historic moment in the competition’s history.
The gamers: Thai gamers, including Sorawat Boonphrom, Anusak Manpdong, Chayut Suebka, Vatcharanan Thaworn and Kawee Wachiraphas, clinched the bronze medal by defeating their Vietnamese opponents 2-0 in “Arena of Valor,” a popular multiplayer battle arena game in Asia developed by a Tencent subsidiary.
The competition: The intense competition took place on a well-lit stage with large screens displaying the gameplay for fans. Players used their mobile screens and communicated with teammates via headsets during the nearly 40-minute contest.
The victory was a source of excitement for the Thai team, particularly for 30-year-old Boonphrom, who has been gaming since a young age and turned professional a decade ago.
Hangzhou esports: Esports, which was previously a demonstration tournament at the Jakarta Asian Games, is now a medal event in Hangzhou, China, emphasizing the video game industry’s desire to be included in the Olympic program. The tournament in Hangzhou features various titles, including online football and multiplayer battle arena games, with a total of seven gold medals up for grabs.
Thailand granted esports official recognition as a professional sport in September 2021.
On Tuesday evening, China also secured a 2-0 victory against Malaysia in the “Arena of Valor” game during the gold-medal match.
