appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Owen Goulding

TYLOO broke new ground for China in Counter-Strike esports by becoming the country’s first team to win a Tier One event, securing Fissure Playground 1 in Belgrade, Serbia on Sunday.
Ranked the second-best Chinese team and third in Asia, the squad went into the opening Counter-Strike tournament of the season as one of the underdogs alongside the Chinese No 1s, Lynn Vision.
The US$1,000,000 (HK$7,850,000) event drew 16 of the best Counter-Strike teams, and both TYLOO and Lynn Vision topped their respective groups to advance to the eight-team play-off stage.
Whereas Lynn Vision lost in their quarter-final match to Danish side Astralis, TYLOO soared past both French squad 3DMAX and Portuguese side SAW – both by 2-0 – to advance to the final against Astralis.
The grand final saw the format shift from best of three matches to a best of five, and favourites Astralis struck first to win the opening map of Inferno and go up 1-0 in the series.

The series was swiftly levelled up by TYLOO on the next map of Nuke, securing a 13-4 victory and flipping the momentum of the match on its head in the process.
The third map of the series, Mirage, went to overtime with the teams level at 12-12 after regulation. TYLOO eventually edged out Astralis 16-14 to go 2-1 up and closed out the series with a 13-10 win on Ancient to secure China’s first Tier One success.
It was a breakout moment for TYLOO’s star player Yang “Jamyoung” Yi, who was tournament MVP - awarded to the player with the highest average rating throughout the tournament.
“It just feels really unreal, it’s something I never imagined,” said Yang, reacting to his first MVP honour.
The 23-year-old has been garnering international attention and is generally considered as one of the best prospects in the entire esport.
TYLOO’s victory was made even more impressive considering they contested the entire group stage and their quarter-final match with their coach Zhong “zhokiNg” WeiJie standing in for another of their star players, Ji “Jee” Dongkai – a huge disadvantage for any team.

“It feels really incredible to be here; it just shows that we, as a team, have a system that works – it proves that we are on the right path,” said Zhong. “Ji really stepped up despite jet lag, so it’s a team effort and Yi, without a doubt, was the MVP here.”
Although it has not been a historically strong esport for Chinese teams, their prominence in Counter-Strike has risen significantly in recent years, along with that of Asia as a region.
Mongolian team The MongolZ currently sit third in the world rankings, while Lynn Vision and TYLOO sit 20th and 22nd, respectively – though the latter will rise when the rankings take into account their recent victory.
The next Tier One event begins on July 23 at IEM Cologne, which is considered one of the most iconic events on the Counter-Strike calendar.
TYLOO will enter the event at Stage 1, where they will face Russian squad Virtus.pro on Wednesday. Lynn Vision missed out on qualification.


Park So-yeon breaks through esports glass ceiling, first woman to play for South Korea

China’s Esports World Cup win a showcase for market’s growth potential

Macron hosts Saudi’s crown prince for visit ranging from esports to Middle East

China’s ‘Cat’, Honor of Kings great, reflects on his gaming career amid the esports explosion

Esports

TYLOO take China to new heights in Counter-Strike with first Tier One win

TYLOO, China’s No 2 team, became the first Chinese team to win a Tier One event by securing FISSURE Playground 1 in Belgrade, Serbia on Sunday. Photo: Handout

TYLOO beat Danish favourites Astralis 3-1 in the final. Photo: Handout

TYLOO’s star player Yang “Jamyoung” Yi was named tournament MVP. Photo: Handout

Furious Chinese fans turn on teen Zhang Ziyu, ex-WNBA star Han after shock loss to Japan

China’s Zhang Ziyu heads back down the court during her side’s semi-final against Japan in Shenzhen. Photo: AFP

Japan celebrate beating China in the semi-finals of the Fiba Women’s Asia Cup. Photo: Xinhua

Injured Haughey pulls out of World Aquatics Championships, still eyeing National Games

Swimmer Siobhan Haughey with her Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards trophy. Photo: Elson Li

Siobhan Haughey still wants to compete in the National Games. Photo: Edmond SO

Sport

Asia’s third-best side win the esport’s opening event of the season


Asia’s third-best side win the esport’s opening event of the season.


TYLOO take China to new heights in Counter-Strike with first Tier One win

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Asia’s third-best side win the esport’s opening event of the season

Asia’s third-best side win the esport’s opening event of the season