{"id":33534,"date":"2023-12-17T20:17:10","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T01:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esportbet.com\/?p=33534"},"modified":"2023-12-17T20:17:10","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T01:17:10","slug":"azure-ray-defeat-gaimin-gladiators-in-esl-one-kuala-lumpur-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esportbet.com\/azure-ray-defeat-gaimin-gladiators-in-esl-one-kuala-lumpur-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Azure Ray defeat Gaimin Gladiators in ESL One Kuala Lumpur final"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chinese Dota 2<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Before the tournament, Azure Ray faced criticism for a roster shuffle that saw three players replaced after The International 2023<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Despite calls for disqualification, rulebook changes and Valve’s hands-off approach spared them from penalties.<\/p>\n

Azure Ray asserted their dominance early in the group stages, topping Group A with only two defeats.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Facing another European powerhouse, Team Liquid, in the lower bracket, Azure Ray seemed on the brink of elimination after losing the first match.<\/p>\n

However, defying the odds, they secured two consecutive victories to set up a revenge match against GG in the grand finals.<\/p>\n

The Gladiators took control with two consecutive wins, leaving no room for error on Azure Ray’s side.<\/p>\n

In a spectacular turn of events, Azure Ray achieved the unthinkable\u2014a reverse sweep, winning three games in a row against the dominant team of 2023 and clinching the ESL One Kuala Lumpur<\/a> title.<\/p>\n

The grand finale, a rare reverse sweep in Dota 2 since 2021, captivated fans.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The series, a rematch of the upper bracket finals, where GG secured victory over Azure Ray, unfolded into a nail-biting grand final.<\/p>\n

Gaimin Gladiators, dominant throughout the season with clean sweeps in DPC Majors, were the favorites to lift the trophy.<\/p>\n

Despite struggles at The Riyadh Masters 2023<\/a> and a runner-up finish at The International 2023, GG quickly bounced back in ESL One Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n

Azure Ray, despite facing backlash for a roster shuffle, emerged as the top team in Group A.<\/p>\n

The grand final series was a thrilling contest that went down to the wire, with Azure Ray emerging victorious.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Gaimin Gladiators finished as the runner-up for the second time in a major tournament.<\/p>\n

The grand finale not only showcased Azure Ray’s resilience but also signalled a strong return for Chinese Dota 2 on the international stage.<\/p>\n

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YOUR #ESLOne<\/a> KUALA LUMPUR POWERED BY @intelgaming<\/a> CHAMPIONS ARE AZURE RAY!!!! #RiseAboveFate<\/a> \ud83c\udfc6 pic.twitter.com\/xGRsqSInNK<\/a><\/p>\n

— ESL Dota2 (@ESLDota2) December 17, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n