In a stunning upset, Gaimin Gladiators, the formidable force in Western Europe Dota, saw their prospects of claiming victory in the ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 grand finals slip away as Azure Ray, the underdog, halted their aggressive and impressive gameplay. Jiang “Tianming” An, a key player for Azure Ray, expressed unbridled excitement as his team triumphed over its heavyweight Western European opponent to secure the tournament title.
Before the climactic grand finals on Sunday, December 17, Azure Ray faced a setback as Gaimin Gladiators dominated them in a landslide victory, relegating them to the lower bracket finals against Team Liquid. Despite Team Liquid appearing destined for a match with their Western European rival, the resilient Chinese team displayed a winning mentality, securing a crucial victory and earning a rematch against Gaimin Gladiators.
The initial two games of the grand finals showcased Gaimin Gladiators’ dominance, leaving Azure Ray with little room to maneuver. However, with their backs against the wall, Azure Ray mounted a comeback in the third game as soon as the team saw GG went into game three without Crystal Maiden. They capitalized on every opportunity, taking control of the mid-game and gradually restricting Gaimin Gladiators’ map control. Azure Ray executed a reversal, seizing the spotlight and clinching victory in the final game.
Reflecting on this triumphant moment, Tianming, who serves as the hard support for Azure Ray, didn’t shy away from a smirking commentary directed at their Western European opponents. Notably, leading up to the grand finals, Gaimin Gladiators’ carry, Anton “Dyrachyo” Shkedrov, engaged in trash talk, confidently predicting a convincing victory. However, Tianming and the rest of Azure Ray’s players had the last laugh.
“It definitely feels much better. Honestly, they pretty much 4-0ed us, but so what? In the end, we’re still the champions,” remarked Tianming via Gosu Gamers.
In addition to claiming a substantial cash prize, Azure Ray earned 4,800 EPT points and secured an invitation to ESL DreamLeague Season 22. In addition of gaining top prize of 300,000 USD, the team also signaled the emergence of a new era for Chinese Dota, demonstrating the region’s players’ readiness in adapting to the ever-changing meta.
