Aayush Pathak
The Esports World Cup’s “Super Sunday” in Riyadh showcased thrilling competitions as three champions were crowned, marking a significant highlight in the world’s largest gaming and esports festival. KPL Dream Team triumphed in the “Honor of Kings Invitational Series 2024 Midseason,” Alliance claimed victory in the “Apex Legends” contest, and Team BDS dominated the “Rainbow Six Siege” competition.
Record-Breaking Prize Pool
The festival, which boasts a staggering prize pool of $60 million, awarded a total of $7 million to competitors at Boulevard Riyadh City. The KPL Dream Team, with their remarkable performance in “Honor of Kings,” secured $1 million and finished the tournament without losing a single round. In the final, they swept LGD Gaming MY 3-0, showcasing their dominance throughout the event.
Gemini, the coach of KPL Dream Team, expressed gratitude for the team’s success, stating, “It’s because of the teamwork. We have good techniques and we worked hard for this event. This is how we can take this event. I would like to thank our fans. They came all the way from China to support us here. The facilities here are excellent. It has been great to play here.”
Team BDS Makes History
The standout story of the day was Team BDS, who continued their winning streak in “Rainbow Six Siege.” Following their successes at Gamers8 in 2022 and 2023, they made history by defeating w7m Esports 3-0 in the final. Team BDS analyst Mees van der Arend, known as Eaglemees, expressed the team’s excitement, saying, “We are all very happy at being Gamers8 and Esports World Cup back-to-back-to-back champions. I don’t think there are any teams that have been able to do this and create history. We’re elated. Emotions are running high.”
For their efforts, Team BDS earned $750,000, further solidifying their reputation as a powerhouse in the esports arena.
Alliance Claims Apex Legends Title
In the “Apex Legends” tournament, Alliance emerged victorious, taking home the $600,000 top prize in a thrilling final against hometown favorites Team Falcons. Alliance star Hakis, whose real name is John Hakansson, shared his feelings after the victory: “It feels amazing. It’s still kind of unreal — after 14 games of ‘Apex Legends,’ you are kind of cooked in the brain. Overall, I’m pretty empty and super, super tired but super happy and super excited.”
Hakis also reflected on the competitive spirit of Team Falcons, stating, “Falcons played amazing. They’re definitely a very respected team and one of the most successful in the whole game. Personally, I find it funny when the fans are cheering for the Falcons. They’re so passionate.”
The Esports World Cup, which began on July 3 and runs until August 25, features 22 global competitions across 21 leading games. As the festival continues, anticipation builds for more exciting matches and the crowning of additional champions. The success of KPL Dream Team, Alliance, and Team BDS on “Super Sunday” exemplifies the growing prominence of esports and its ability to captivate audiences around the world.
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