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Chinese Dota 2 made a triumphant return to the top as Azure Ray executed a stunning reverse sweep against Gaimin Gladiators in the grand final of ESL One Kuala Lumpur.
Before the tournament, Azure Ray faced criticism for a roster shuffle that saw three players replaced after The International 2023.
Despite calls for disqualification, rulebook changes and Valve’s hands-off approach spared them from penalties.
Azure Ray asserted their dominance early in the group stages, topping Group A with only two defeats.
In the main event, they faced the Gladiators in the upper bracket, but the initial encounter saw Azure Ray outclassed and sent to the lower bracket.
Facing another European powerhouse, Team Liquid, in the lower bracket, Azure Ray seemed on the brink of elimination after losing the first match.
However, defying the odds, they secured two consecutive victories to set up a revenge match against GG in the grand finals.
The Gladiators took control with two consecutive wins, leaving no room for error on Azure Ray’s side.
In a spectacular turn of events, Azure Ray achieved the unthinkable—a reverse sweep, winning three games in a row against the dominant team of 2023 and clinching the ESL One Kuala Lumpur title.
The grand finale, a rare reverse sweep in Dota 2 since 2021, captivated fans.
Throughout the tournament, the Zhao “XinQ” Zixing and Lin “Xxs” Jing offlane duo dismantled opposing safe laners, while Guo “Xm” Hongcheng and Lou “Lou” Zhen secured Azure Ray’s late-game with precision.
Despite high expectations, especially considering it was their first major tournament together, Azure Ray defied predictions, hinting at more success in 2024, proclaiming it as a year for China in Dota 2 during their champions’ interview.
ESL One Kuala Lumpur marked the conclusion of the Dota 2 season for 2023, with the grand final reflecting a clash between Western Europe’s Gaimin Gladiators and China’s Azure Ray.
The series, a rematch of the upper bracket finals, where GG secured victory over Azure Ray, unfolded into a nail-biting grand final.
Gaimin Gladiators, dominant throughout the season with clean sweeps in DPC Majors, were the favorites to lift the trophy.
Despite struggles at The Riyadh Masters 2023 and a runner-up finish at The International 2023, GG quickly bounced back in ESL One Kuala Lumpur.
Azure Ray, despite facing backlash for a roster shuffle, emerged as the top team in Group A.
The grand final series was a thrilling contest that went down to the wire, with Azure Ray emerging victorious.
This marked a triumphant comeback for the Chinese region in the 2023 Season, securing 4800 ESL Pro Tour points and US$500,000 in prize money.
Gaimin Gladiators finished as the runner-up for the second time in a major tournament.
The grand finale not only showcased Azure Ray’s resilience but also signalled a strong return for Chinese Dota 2 on the international stage.
YOUR #ESLOne KUALA LUMPUR POWERED BY @intelgaming CHAMPIONS ARE AZURE RAY!!!! #RiseAboveFate 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xGRsqSInNK
— ESL Dota2 (@ESLDota2) December 17, 2023
