On August 25, 2024, one of the most thrilling tournaments of the year, and arguably one of the most epic in Valorant’s esports history, came to a close - Valorant Champions 2024. The Chinese team EDward Gaming emerged victorious, claiming the first international trophy for their region, a triumph that did not come easily.
The Road to the Decisive Match of 2024
Both EDward Gaming and Team Heretics endured a long and challenging journey, beginning at the start of 2024, which ultimately led them to the grand final of Valorant Champions 2024.
Before the tournament and even after the group stage, few believed that either of these teams would make it to the final, let alone win. However, EDward Gaming pulled off a miracle: not only did they reach the final, but they also emerged as champions, despite being considered underdogs in the final match.
Team Heretics' Results in 2024
| Tournament | Placement |
|---|---|
| VCT 2024: EMEA Kickoff | 2nd |
| VCT 2024: Masters Madrid | 7th - 8th |
| VCT 2024: EMEA Stage 1 | 2nd |
| VCT 2024: Masters Shanghai | 2nd |
| VCT 2024: EMEA Stage 2 | 3rd |
| VALORANT Champions 2024 | 2nd |
EDward Gaming's Results in 2024
| Tournament | Placement |
|---|---|
| VCT 2024: China Kickoff | 1st |
| VCT 2024: Masters Madrid | 5th - 6th |
| VCT 2024: China Stage 1 | 1st |
| VCT 2024: Masters Shanghai | 7th - 8th |
| VCT 2024: China Stage 2 | 1st |
| VALORANT Champions 2024 | 1st |
Valorant Champions 2024 Grand Final
The grand final was held in a best-of-five format, and from the very first moments, it was clear that the battle would be fierce. Both teams dominated the first two maps, with no chance for the opponent, but the real spectacle, which we love Valorant for, began on the third map.
Lotus and Bind, the third and fourth maps, were much more intense than the previous ones. EDward Gaming claimed victory on Lotus with a score of 13-9, while Team Heretics secured Bind with a 13-11 win.
The decisive map was Abyss. The Chinese team dominated the first half and the beginning of the second, but Team Heretics made a comeback, reducing the gap from 11-4 to 11-9. However, it wasn't enough - EDward Gaming won the last two rounds and became the Valorant Champions 2024.
Tournament MVP
Chinese star Zheng "ZmjjKK" Yongkang gained global recognition after an incredible performance throughout the championship. He deservedly earned the tournament's MVP title, a new honor introduced this year. Additionally, ZmjjKK set a new record for the most kills in a best-of-five series, with 111 frags in the grand final.
Valorant Champions 2024 Prize Distribution
Sixteen of the world’s best teams competed for a substantial prize pool totaling $2,250,000. EDward Gaming took home $1,000,000 for their first-place finish. Here’s how the prize distribution for Valorant Champions 2024 looks:
| Place | Prize ($ USD) | Participant |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $1,000,000 | EDward Gaming |
| 2nd | $400,000 | Team Heretics |
| 3rd | $250,000 | Leviatán |
| 4th | $130,000 | Sentinels |
| 5th-6th | $85,000 | DRX, Fnatic |
| 7th-8th | $50,000 | Trace Esports, G2 Esports |
| 9th-12th | $30,000 | KRÜ Esports, Gen.G Esports, Team Vitality, Paper Rex |
| 13th-16th | $20,000 | Bilibili Gaming, FunPlus Phoenix, Talon Esports, FUT Esports |
Final Thoughts
EDward Gaming has proven that underestimating teams from the Chinese region is a mistake. Just a year ago, Valorant officially launched in China, and now, a Chinese team has become the strongest, securing the first international trophy for their region. Whether Chinese teams can continue their rise will be seen in the new season, beginning in 2025.
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