Asian Games: First esports medal won in Hangzhou

China made history in the Asian Games as they won the first gold medal in esports at a multi-sport event.
Esports is making its debut as an official medal event in Hangzhou after being a demonstration sport in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
It marks the latest step for esports with regards to potential inclusion at an Olympic Games.
The hosts beat Malaysia in the game Arena of Valor, with Thailand clinching bronze by defeating Vietnam.
Esports refers to a range of competitive video games that are played by professionals across the world.
Often hosted in stadiums, events are televised and streamed online, drawing big viewership.
The esports market is estimated to grow to be worth $1.9bn by 2025.
Esports has managed to attract some of the biggest audiences of the Asian Games, being the only event with an initial lottery system for ticket purchase with some of the most popular esports stars such as South Korea’s Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok in action.
There are seven gold medals to be won across seven game titles at the Hangzhou Esports Centre.
The inclusion of esports in the Asian Games is an indicator of its growing popularity as it eyes wider recognition among the sporting community. It was included as a pilot event in the 2022 Commonwealth Games but with separate branding, medals and organisation.
Eager to cater to new fans and diversify viewership, the International Olympic Committee, which organises the Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games, staged the Olympic Esports series in March, culminating in an inaugural Olympic Esports week in Singapore in June.