ASIAN GAMES/Taiwan wins its first esports medal at 2026 Asian Games

Taipei, Sept. 24 (CNA) Taiwan secured its first esports medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Thursday, claiming bronze in the "Naraka: Bladepoint" tournament after falling 0-3 to China in the semifinals.

The Taiwanese squad, comprising Liu Tang-shiun (柳棠曛), Chen Shang-yi (陳尚億), Cheng Hsu-yu (鄭勗佑), Yen Kai-en (顏慨恩) and Yeh Chih-yu (葉芝妤), had already secured a place on the podium when it advanced to the final four as the runner-up in its preliminary group.

In the semifinal match against a strong Chinese team, however, the Taiwan players were defeated 0-3 and had to settle for third place in the "Naraka: Bladepoint" competition.

The bronze is first esports medal Taiwan has ever won at this year's Asian Games.

"Naraka: Bladepoint" is an electronic game in which the players fight each other to be the last one standing. The game incorporates martial arts-inspired melee combat.