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[Sports Seoul | Jinju = Reporter Kim Min-gyu] South Korea claimed the overall title at the inaugural Asian e-Sports Championship (ECA). But there wasn’t much time for celebration.
South Korea topped the podium at the first ECA, which drew roughly 5,700 fans. The headline is impressive, but a closer look exposes some shortcomings — especially in events that will count toward the Asian Games. This tournament acted as a clear “Nagoya rehearsal,” revealing areas that still need work.
From April 24 to 26 at Gyeongnam Jinju Gymnasium, South Korea scored 2,625 points to edge out Vietnam (1,685) and Japan (1,500) and secure the overall crown at the 2026 ECA.
The victory carried meaning beyond the trophy. With the Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games looming in September, the ECA served as a tune-up. Seven Asian nations and about 120 players, including South Korea, used the event to sharpen their form ahead of the bigger stage.
The event buzzed with energy. Over three days roughly 5,700 spectators visited Jinju. Organizers ran experience zones, pop-up stores and a cosplay parade — proof that e-sports is expanding from simply a spectator pastime into a participatory cultural event. Local touches like hanbok demonstrations and the Namgang lantern display added regional flavor and helped turn the competition into a full-scale festival.
South Korea’s depth showed, and Eternal Return delivered the knockout blow. Daegu Guardians and Yangju Whales finished first and second, combining for 1,000 points. In the demo title Stepin, Korean players took the top two individual spots and won the team event, adding 625 points — the decisive margin that sealed the overall win.
The performance wasn’t without flaws. Results in titles that count toward Asian Games medals are the most critical. On day one, the Daejeon fighting-game squad swept the preliminaries but fell to Japan in the final.
PUBG Mobile finished second among the six participating countries excluding China, and ranked fourth overall out of 16 teams — unable to overtake Vietnam. China’s absence complicates any real measure of strength; the true level of competition remains unverified. The eFootball series also failed to advance past the preliminaries.
The overall title is a valuable achievement — and also a warning. South Korea displayed range, picking up points across multiple titles. But the country must tighten performance in the core events that will determine Asian Games medals.
Kim Young-man, chairman of the Korea e-Sports Association, said, “A record seven countries and about 120 players competed across various titles, confirming this tournament’s significance and potential. The friendships and experiences teams built here will provide a valuable foundation for expanding international e-sports exchange and cooperation.”
South Korea stood atop Asia in Jinju. The real fight starts in Nagoya this September. The team will need to raise its competitive level — the journey to gold begins now. kmg@sportsseoul.com
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