Mu Xinyue becomes first woman to win Asian Games eSports gold

China’s Mu Xinyue has made history as the first woman to win an eSports gold medal at the Asian Games.

The 20-year-old was part of China’s team that defeated hosts Japan in the final of the survival horror game Identity V in Nagoya. Her performance helped China secure the top prize in the competition.

Mu described the victory as one of the happiest moments of her life, saying she was overwhelmed with excitement when China’s national anthem played during the medal ceremony.

She is the only woman among China’s 23 eSports competitors at the Games, highlighting the significant gender imbalance in competitive gaming.

Of the 534 eSports athletes competing at the Asian Games, only 14 are women. South Korea also marked a milestone in Nagoya, with Park So-yeon becoming the first woman to represent the country’s national eSports team.

Mu said gender should not determine how players are judged, stressing that ability and performance are what matter in competitive gaming.

She added that every athlete who reaches the Asian Games has earned their place through their skills and dedication.

eSports made its full Asian Games debut at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, marking a major step in the recognition of competitive gaming as an international sporting discipline.