Chinese VALORANT Teams Step up in Champions 2023
After the impressive performance of EDward Gaming at Masters Tokyo, Chinese VALORANT teams are finally receiving the respect they deserve. One year after making their international debuts, Chinese squads are emerging as strong contenders for the championship.
China Is Ready to Compete
Bilibili Gaming’s victory over NRG on Aug. 13 secured their playoff spot in Champions 2023, making them one of two Chinese teams in the playoffs. This achievement proves that the Chinese VALORANT scene is no longer in its developmental stage. It’s now a force to be reckoned with as it competes for titles in 2023 and beyond.
EDG’s Journey
EDG was the first Chinese team to participate in international VALORANT. They qualified through the East Asia LCQ in 2022 and faced some of the best talent in the world. Although they lost their initial matches in tough group, their performance showed promise.
It’s important to note that EDG’s first international appearance happened shortly after the official launch of VALORANT in July 2023. Despite this, the team had already gained reputation within the region due to their talented players. This year provided them with another chance to prove their skills, and the LOCK//IN tournament showcased both their strengths and weaknesses.
Related: VALORANT Champions 2023: A Closer Look at the Group Stage
In the preseason tournament, EDG gave 100 Thieves a run for their money, pushing the series to a third map before narrowly losing. This performance hinted at their potential, with players like ZmjjKK and CHICHOO making impressive plays against a talented 100T roster. The team’s success continued when they qualified for Masters Tokyo as the second seed, defying expectations and going on a remarkable run.
The Chinese region is now recognized for its talent. NRG’s failure to win a map against Bilibili Gaming resulted in a second Chinese team entering the playoffs of Champions 2023. Despite being rookies on the LAN stage, Bilibili managed to secure victories through the individual skills of players like whz and Biank, taking advantage of an unprepared NRG roster. Their win against NRG is a rare accomplishment.
Related: International LAN rookies end NRG’s VALORANT Champions run early in shocking rematch upset
Once considered a wild card, EDG is now a serious contender. Interestingly, the remaining wild card team in Champions 2023 is BLG, the other Chinese roster in the playoffs.
Looking at the teams competing in the playoffs, we see an equal split of two teams from each region. Considering how recently the Chinese region joined international play, this speaks volumes about their growth as a region and the individual talents of its players.
EDG will face Evil Geniuses, while BLG takes on DRX on Aug. 17. Both teams have the chance to bounce back, but regardless of the tournament outcome, 2023 has been the year when China proved itself in competitive VALORANT.
VALORANT, Chinese teams, Champions 2023, Masters Tokyo, playoff stage, region, growth, contenders.