"Play every game like it's your last and never fear defeat."

These were the words Zhang Ning (in-game ID: xiao8), coach of Xtreme Gaming (XG), told his players during a break in a 2021 match. Now, as this phrase echoed once more in the arena of The International (TI) Finals – the pinnacle tournament of DOTA2, the team faced a do-or-die final game that would seal their fate. Could the players truly live up to those words and let go of the fear of losing?

The score was tied at a familiar 2-2, resetting both teams to the starting line – one final game would decide the champion. On one side stood Team Falcons, the red-hot title favorite and a Saudi esports powerhouse. Boasting the world's largest roster of esports teams and players, top-tier training facilities and a first-class support staff, their lineup featured the best players in every position, giving them a decisive edge over the competition. On the other side was the underdog challenger, Xtreme Gaming (XG) – a team nurtured from the ground up by its founder Yang Yiqing, who had clung to his passion for Chinese DOTA through years of hardships, refusing to back down even in the darkest times.

Dismissed as the "lone representative" of China's underperforming TI contingent, XG had already played 10 games in the previous 22 hours. Their bodies and minds were pushed to the absolute limit, but the flame of resolve continued to burn bright in their eyes. Battling their way up from the Lower Bracket, they defied all odds to reach the Finals. To fans around the world, this comeback was nothing short of a miracle. For Chinese fans in particular, it rekindled a passion and pride they had long lost. As one XG player said in a pre-match interview: "After a decade of professional play, I've finally stepped onto the 'floor' of the TI Finals." It had been four years since a Chinese team last made it to the TI Finals and nine years since a Chinese squad lifted the TI trophy. No one understood the pain of that long wait and struggle better than the five players standing on stage that day.

For XG's star player Wang Chunyu (in-game ID: AME), a 2-2 tie in the Finals was not new – this marked his third time facing match point at TI's grand stage. Over the years, teams had changed, teammates had come and gone, and he himself had grown from a rookie to a veteran. Yet the nightmare of "falling just short of the trophy" seemed to haunt him like a shadow. If fate truly existed, this was the moment to break that cycle. "Treat every year like it's your last in pro play" – this was the belief AME held close to his heart. Retirement rumors swirled around him every year; he endured countless criticisms and failures and even his daily dedication to training became a target for mockery. Through it all, he remained the quietest in the team and the hardest worker. No one knew how many times he had dreamed of standing at this critical juncture, or whether he had ever felt fear, been trapped by the past, or thought of giving up. All people saw was the name "AME" printed on one jersey after another, pushing steadily forward toward the next arena, never looking back.

Before the Finals, voices claiming "DOTA2 is fading" and "Chinese DOTA is in decline" had been repeated so many times that they seemed on the verge of becoming reality. But there were always those who refused to believe–warriors who chose to stand their ground. A mere nine hours ahead of the Finals' start, XG put out an unexpected appeal on social media: they called on all DOTA enthusiasts, specifically data analysts and AI engineers, to help decode the opponent's strategies and analyze matchups. The response was overwhelming. Fans from all walks of life rallied together, forming a makeshift team of experts in record time. They worked through the night, diving into data analysis and tactical research. The Falcons had a professional team and the strongest players money could buy; what China brought to the fight was the collective strength of thousands of passionate fans – all eyes and hopes of generations of DOTA players rested on XG's shoulders. While China's recent TI results might seem to support the "decline" narrative, people never gave up. Fans continued to believe in the Chinese teams competing around the world and in the future of Chinese DOTA.

At 2:30 a.m. Beijing time, the decisive fifth game began. Was this lineup the optimal choice? Could a more aggressive play style have worked? All questions would be answered on the battlefield. For the first 20 minutes, the two teams traded blows evenly. The Falcons held a slight advantage, but XG's players maintained their composure, striving to steer the game toward a stable mid-phase. Then, at the 20-minute mark, the tide suddenly turned. The Falcons seized their power spike, securing neutral objectives one after another to widen the gap. They deliberately forced fights in areas where XG was vulnerable, methodically dragging the game into a rhythm they dominated.

XG refused to surrender. Every player pushed beyond their limits to find a chance to turn the tide, delivering performances that showcased extraordinary reflexes. Yet, when it came to strategic positioning, they just fell short. The Falcons gradually chipped away at XG's map control. Trapped in a desperate situation, XG fought on for 58 grueling minutes, clinging to every glimmer of hope for a comeback. But reality was unforgiving – the gap grew wider by the minute. In the end, AME witnessed a 2-3 scoreline at the TI Finals for the third time. The widely recognized "TI's Uncrowned King" would finish as runner-up once again.

Unlike previous years, when losses were met with a flood of doubt and criticism, this time, Chinese fans responded with nothing but respect and gratitude for XG and AME. In a year when Chinese teams were written off by everyone, XG delivered countless surprises: an undefeated group stage, unyielding resilience after dropping to the Lower Bracket and a veteran like AME who kept improving instead of stagnating. His performances often turned the tide of games, and this time he minimized mistakes to an unprecedented degree. Fans thanked the team for their perseverance, and the players and coach for their unwavering commitment. The confidence – even the bold swagger – they displayed on the international stage gave Chinese fans a much-needed boost. Watching these players who had persisted for years, finally step onto the stage of their dreams, many fans not only reconnected with their youth but also saw a future: though the players were no longer young, their passion and drive made them still full of promise.

Winning brings glory; lifting the trophy immortalizes your name. But only those who persist until the end become true legends. Who says an "Uncrowned King" is not a king? We may not have been the final victors, but we wanted the world to know: Chinese DOTA will always be a force to be reckoned with. The spirit of perseverance, hard work, and never giving up is etched into our DNA, deeply rooted in our blood. Chinese DOTA has never faded – and the phrase "Chinese DOTA, best DOTA" will never go out of style.

Photo credit: DOTA2 Official