Esports is a form of sports competition through video games that has grown significantly in recent years due to its accessibility to a wide range of audiences. Esports tournaments produce unexpected upsets that make the competition more exhilarating. The article highlights some of the most memorable esports upsets of all time, including Wings Gaming winning The International Dota 2 Championships in 2016, Daigo Umehara’s iconic moment in the Evo 2004 Street Fighter Championships, and OG’s unexpected victory in The International 2018 Dota 2 Championships. These upsets show that anything can happen in esports, making it thrilling to watch.
The Most Memorable Esports Upsets of All Time
Esports, short for electronic sports, is a form of sports competition that involves video games. The industry has grown significantly in recent years due to its accessibility to a wide range of audiences. Esports tournaments, similar to traditional sports tournaments, produce unexpected upsets that make the competition more exhilarating. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most memorable esports upsets of all time.
1. The International 2016 Dota 2 Championships
The International Dota 2 Championships is one of the most prestigious esports tournaments around the world. In 2016, Wings Gaming, a relatively unknown Chinese team, managed to defeat some of the biggest names in the Dota 2 scene to win the tournament. This team, who were not considered favorites, surprised everyone with their unconventional play style that emphasized synergy and teamwork.
2. Evo 2004 Street Fighter Championships
The Evolution Championship Series, also known as Evo, is one of the biggest fighting game tournaments in the world. In 2004, Daigo Umehara, a Japanese Street Fighter player, created one of the most iconic moments in esports history. During the finals match against Justin Wong, Daigo managed to pull off a legendary comeback victory. Daigo’s perfect timing and split-second reactions to Justin’s moves, known as “parries,” made this moment an unforgettable upset in the fighting game community.
3. League of Legends World Championship 2018
The League of Legends World Championship is the biggest esports tournament in the world, with teams from all over the world competing. In 2018, many people expected royal Never Give Up, a Chinese team, to win the tournament due to their dominant performance during the season. However, Europe’s Fnatic managed to defeat RNG in the quarterfinals, delivering one of the biggest upsets in the history of the competition. Fnatic’s superior teamwork and strategic play style led to their triumph over the Chinese giants.
4. GSL Season 1 2011 Starcraft 2 Championship
The Global StarCraft II League, or GSL, is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the StarCraft 2 scene. In 2011, the championship match saw Kim “FruitDealer” Won-Ki, a relatively unknown Korean player, facing off against one of the best players of all time, Lee “Flash” Young Ho. FruitDealer managed to overcome the odds and defeat Flash, becoming the first GSL champion. FruitDealer’s victory made him an instant star in the StarCraft 2 community.
5. The International 2018 Dota 2 Championships
The International 2018 Dota 2 Championships saw another unforgettable upset as OG, a European team that had only formed a few months prior, managed to defeat some of the biggest names in the Dota 2 scene to win the tournament. OG’s unexpected victory was made even more impressive by the fact that they had to battle their way through the lower bracket, winning eight consecutive matches to secure the championship. OG’s win showed the importance of team chemistry and dedication in esports.
Conclusion
Esports has become a global phenomenon, with millions of fans tuning in to watch their favorite teams compete. The upsets we’ve discussed in this article show that anything can happen in esports, and that’s what makes it so thrilling to watch. From underdogs to legends, these players and teams have made their mark in esports history by delivering some of the most memorable and unexpected upsets of all time.