China win historic eSports Asian Games gold as Haughey makes statement
Hosts China won the first eSports gold medal in the 72-year history of the Asian Games on Tuesday as Hong Kong swimmer Siobhan Haughey issued another warning for next year's Paris Olympics. Gaming is making its debut as a medal event in Hangzhou in what is seen as a major step towards Olympic status one day.
Audiences of overwhelmingly young spectators packed out the 4,500-capacity Hangzhou Esports Center in the hope of catching one of their heroes, especially South Korea's Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok.
He will lead the Koreans in League of Legends -- and controversially earn an exemption from military service -- if they win gold.
Medals are up for grabs in seven gaming titles, with China grabbing the first gold when they defeated Malaysia 2-0 in the final of smartphone game Arena of Valor.
Malaysia take home silver and Thailand earned bronze.
"Being able to stand on the podium, I felt very honoured and proud," Chinese player Jiang Tao told reporters after his team's historic victory.
Underlining just how popular eSports is at the Games, it is the only competition in Hangzhou where tickets were allocated through an initial online lottery.
China's place in the Games record books helped the home nation increase their overall tally of golds to 52 after three days of action.
They are way ahead of South Korea (14 golds), Japan (seven) and Uzbekistan (five).
- Haughey fires warning -
With the 2024 Paris Olympics just 10 months away, Haughey won her second gold of the Games in another impressive performance in the pool which will make her rivals sit up and take notice.
She shattered her own Asian record to add the Games 100m freestyle title to her Olympic and world silver medals.
The 25-year-old produced an exceptional swim on Monday to crush
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