Each month, sports digital agency Mailman<\/a> shares the biggest industry news and insights from China\u2019s esports scene, along with analysis on why it matters.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"China](\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/october-china-esports-blast-1024x512px.png\")
In October in China, Dota 2 and League of Legends fans experienced one of the most disappointing times in esports history. The Chinese Dota 2 team Team Aster and League of Legends team Jingdong Gaming lost in the semi-finals of Dota 2\u2019s The International (TI11) and League of Legends World Championship (Worlds 2022), respectively.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
Eventually, South Korean underdog DRX defeated T1 Entertainment & Sports at the Worlds 2022, making the best Cinderella story in League of Legends history.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
It was also the first time that no Chinese team featured at the Worlds Final since 2017. London-based Dota 2 team Tundra Esports conquered the TI11 Finals, taking home more than $8.5m (~\u00a37.2m) of a $19m (~\u00a316m) total prize pool. Tundra Esports recently launched its social media account on China\u2019s leading platform Weibo, gaining over 48,000 followers.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
From a business and commercial perspective, there were still some positive partnerships and developments in China esports during October.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
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- China Esports Blast: July 2022<\/a><\/li>\n
- China Esports Blast: August 2022<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \n
Nike signs Jian ‘Uzi’ Zihao as its first official esports athlete<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
\n \nGlobal sportswear brand Nike made a significant announcement in China, signing Chinese esports icon Jian \u2018Uzi\u2019 Zihao as Nike\u2019s first esports athlete worldwide. Zihao is the most recognised esports player in China, and has collaborated with Nike multiple times for offline campaigns, commercials, and documentary recordings.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n \nConsidering it\u2019s the biggest sportswear brand in the world, Nike has been extremely cautious about signing esports athletes. The long relationship between Zihao and Nike, and China\u2019s colossal esports and Generation Z market behind Zihao will be the main reasons that Nike signed the deal with him. We congratulate Zihao that he can stand alongside Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who Nike also signed. We expect to see more collaborations between Zihao and Nike or co-branded products.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"Nike](\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/WechatIMG66.jpeg\")
Image via: Mailman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n \n \nAugmented Reality glasses Nreal sponsors PSG.LGD<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n \nChinese Dota 2 team PSG.LGD signed a sponsorship deal with Beijing-based augmented reality glasses brand Nreal during Dota 2\u2019s prestigious TI11. The Nreal logo will be featured on the team jerseys after TI11.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n \nThough PSG.LGD ended its TI journey in the fourth round of the lower bracket, it reached 5-6th place and claimed more than $660,000 (~\u00a3561,000) in prize money. It was the first time that we saw an AR glasses brand enter the Chinese esports scene. With the concept of the metaverse rising, the valuation of AR glasses companies is increasing rapidly. Behind the sponsorship, we are excited to see more potential collaborations between esports and AR glasses.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
\n \nGen.G Esports establishes Honor of Kings division<\/span><\/h3>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
![\"Gen.G](\"https:\/\/esportsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/WechatIMG68-large.jpeg\")