'Happiest moment': China's Mu first woman to win eSports Games gold

NAGOYA, Japan - Mu Xinyue, a 20-year-old Chinese eSports athlete, declared her victory at the Asian Games as her "happiest moment of my life." Playing in the horror survival game Identity V, Mu was pivotal in China's win against the host nation, Japan. When the national anthem played and the gold medal encircled her neck, her excitement and happiness were palpable, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Mu, the sole female in China's 23-member eSports team at the Games, emphasized that ability, not gender, defines one's worth in competitive gaming. Speaking to the media, she asserted, "As the first female player to win the gold medal, I don't think gender should define us or be used as a benchmark. I believe everyone, regardless of gender, needs sufficient skill to compete at this level.

Every player here has earned their place through their own ability." Notable for advancing eSports to the Asian Games, Mu's achievement highlights the industry's continued male dominance. At the Games, 534 eSports competitors participated, with just 14 of them, less than three percent, being women. Park So-yeon of South Korea also made history by becoming the first woman to represent her national team in Nagoya, further showcasing the rapid expansion and global reach of competitive gaming.