As the Esports World Cup slowly comes to its historic end, only a few titles remain to be conquered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The storied real-time strategy game with over 14 years of competitive history had its chance to shine in the limelight. Blizzard's company defining title StarCraft 2 provided an opportunity for the best in the world to re-shape a historic title, in hopes of becoming the first StarCraft 2 Esports World Cup Champion. As the best around the globe traveled to Riyadh, the Gaimin Gladiators latest Korean pick-up Shin “SHIN” Hee-beom looked to continue his 13 year competitive track record, hoping to conquer the server and possibility of Club Points and the massive $1,050,000 cash prize alongside it.

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SHIN’s Esports World Cup journey started from the closed qualifier, a final qualification to the main stage in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with two open spots of the line. After a successful closed qualifier while only dropping 4 games throughout, defeating noted players such as Firefly, Lambo and ShoWTimE in a tightly contested 4-3 closed qualifier grand final; SHIN made his initial stamp in Riyadh, ready to take on 18 of the best StarCraft 2 players in the upcoming single elimination knockout stage.

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Qualifying via the closed qualification provided one single life in the demanding back and forth nature of best of 3 competitive StarCraft 2. With his ticket booked for knockout play, SHIN’s tournament life was on the line, and in knockout fashion could end a tournament run early even after his prominent closed qualifier dominance. 

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Unfortunately however, the knockout stage, with some of the best hoping to make a successful run, only provided one spot up for grabs, and in SHIN’s initial series played against Team Liquid’s Cure in a close back and forth best of three, with Cure getting the knockout blow. Cure was a strong contender throughout, only losing to Korean competitor herO twice in group stage play, showcasing the strong nature of the event and the participants battling for the coveted Esports World Cup trophy. 

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Finishing his run with a 12th-18th placing, yet coming from closed qualifier play, SHIN showcased resilience. battling his way throughout the closed qualifier and proving himself as a strong competitor outright. We look forward to more StarCraft 2 competitive ventures, and congratulate French competitor Clement “Clem” Desplances on his historic Esports World Cup victory.

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For more information on the Gaimin Gladiators organization, all our professional esports teams and Esports World Cup summaries, stay tuned here for recaps, blogs and content in all our esports ventures. Thank you for reading.  #AgainstAllOdds

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