Dota 2: All the big names competing in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China

While the Dota 2 esports scene is looking ahead to The International (TI) 2023, the game's annual world championship tournament, there's also another upcoming event where national pride will be at stake: the Dota 2 medal event for the 19th Asian Games from 29 September to 2 October in Hangzhou, China.

The 19th Asian Games' Dota 2 medal event will feature the national teams for China, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Mongolia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Uzbekistan fighting to be among the three teams winning medals and national pride for their respective countries.

While most of the best Dota 2 players are busy preparing for TI 2023, there are still many big names looking to win a medal in the Asian Games.

China

As the host country, China went all out by tapping some of the country's most legendary players for its national team, namely Wang "Ame" Chunyu, Lu "Somnus" Yao, Yang "Chalice" Shenyi, Zhao "XinQ" Zixing, and Yu "皮球" Yajun.

China's national team will also be coached by another legend in Zhang "LaNm" Zhicheng while decorated veteran Xiong "Pyw" Jiahan is listed as a substitute.

With its star-studded roster, China are far and away the heavy favourites to bag the gold medal for Dota 2.

Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand are also looking like big contenders to be among the three medalists.

Malaysia

Malaysia's national team will be headlined by PSG.LGD midlaner Cheng "NothingToSay" Jin Xiang. The country will also be fielding players who are signed by Chinese teams, including Xtreme Gaming's Daniel "Ghost" Chan and Thiay "JT-" Jun Wen.

Rounding out the Malaysian contingent is the support duo of Tue "ah fu" Soon Chuan and Yap "xNova" Jian Wei.

The squad will be coached by the legendary Chai "Mushi" Yee Fung and will have Ng "YamateH" Wei Poong as a substitute.

Indonesia

Indonesia's national team is mostly comprised of players from Army Geniuses, namely Muhammad "inYourdreaM" Rizky, Daud "db-" Budiawan, Tri "Jhocam" Kuncoro, and Rizki "Varizh" Varizh. Randy "Dreamocel" Sapoetra rounds out the team as their carry player.

The squad will be coached by Brizio "Hyde" Budiana while Syaid "womy" Reski is listed as a substitute.

Philippines

The Philippines' national team features three players from Polaris Esports, namely Eljohn "Akashi" Andales, Michael "Enryu" Ladines, and Marvin "Boomy" Rushton. Mc "Mac" Villanueva will be the team's midlaner while Bryle "cml" Alvizo will be the position 4 support.

Filipino Dota 2 legend Djardel "DJ" Mampusti is also listed as the team's substitute.

Thailand

Finally, the Thai national team will be headlined by Team SMG offlaner Natthaphon "Masaros" Ouanphakdee.

The rest of the squad is comprised of players from UD Vessuwan, namely Karn "KNP" Janmanee, Poomipat "Fearless" Trisiripanit, Thanathorn "tnt" Sriiamkoon, and Anurat "Boombui" Praianun.

While some of the participating countries in the Asian Games have national teams fully manned by professional players, most others are sending contingents comprised of one or two pros alongside amateur players.

Kyrgyzstan's national team is headed by Baqyt "Zayac" Emiljanov, who notably finished second in TI 2022 with Team Secret last year. He will be joined by HYDRA carry player Kyial "dream`" Tayirov and IVY offlaner Bektur "runec" Kulov.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's national team is headed by Natus Vincere players Abdimalik "Malik" Sailau and Arman "Malady" Orazbayev.

Here's the full list of the teams competing in the Dota 2 medal event for the 19th Asian Games:

China

1. Wang "Ame" Chunyu

2. Lu "Somnus" Yao

3. Yang "Chalice" Shenyi

4. Zhao "XinQ" Zixing

5. Yu "皮球" Yajun

6. Zhang "LaNm" Zhicheng (coach)

7. Xiong "Pyw" Jiahan (substitute)

Malaysia

1. Daniel "Ghost" Chan

2. Cheng "NothingToSay" Jin Xiang

3. Thiay "JT-" Jun Wen

4. Tue "ah fu" Soon Chuan

5. Yap "xNova" Jian Wei

6. Chai "Mushi" Yee Fung (coach)

7. Ng "YamateH" Wei Poong (substitute)

Indonesia

1. Randy "Dreamocel" Sapoetra

2. Muhammad "inYourdreaM" Rizky

3. Daud "db-" Budiawan

4. Tri "Jhocam" Kuncoro

5. Rizki "Varizh" Varizh

6. Brizio "Hyde" Budiana (coach)

7. Syaid "womy" Reski (substitute)

Philippines

1. Eljohn "Akashi" Andales

2. Mc "Mac" Villanueva

3. Michael "Enryu" Ladines

4. Bryle "cml" Alvizo

5. Marvin "Boomy" Rushton

6. Djardel "DJ" Mampusti (substitute)

Thailand

1. Karn "KNP" Janmanee

2. Poomipat "Fearless" Trisiripanit

3. Natthaphon "Masaros" Ouanphakdee

4. Thanathorn "tnt" Sriiamkoon

5. Anurat "Boombui" Praianun

Kyrgyzstan

1. Kyial "dream`" Tayirov

2. "hina`"

3. Bektur "runec" Kulov

4. Baqyt "Zayac" Emiljanov

5. "awe"

Kazakhstan

1. Darhan "hAze" Madihan

2. Amir "Dodren" Akmollin

3. Abdimalik "Malik" Sailau

4. Islambek "ArrOw" Shaudirbaev

5. Arman "Malady" Orazbayev

Saudi Arabia

1. "P1"

2. "Heyman95"

3. "Nas"

4. "Devil"

5. "MadFrog"

Nepal

1. "Mel"

2. "SESSON"

3. "Lu_ris"

4. "CaElUm"

5. "PuZzle"

India

1. "Mnz"

2. "Abhi-"

3. Moin "NO_Chanc3" Ejaz

4. "HBK"

5. "PinkMaN-"

Hong Kong

1. "ky"

2. "D.L"

3. "frOx"

4. "Dr"

5. "kz"

Mongolia

1. Altanginj "423" Bilguun

2. Sukhbat "sanctity-" Otgondavaa

3. Munkh-Erdene "11" Battsooj

4. Batbayasgalan "Ace12" Narankhand

5. Tugstur "Se" Dashzevge

Myanmar

1. Kaung "Ksh" Sett Hein

2. Min "Young PH" Khant Maung

3. Aung "ShowTi" Myat Soe

4. Thiha "Skill lay" Kyaw Swar

5. Zawrain "ZawRain" Sai Aung

Uzbekistan

1. "escape"

2. "icetocrat"

3. "REsuq"

4. Jamshid "jAM3S" Abdurashitov

5. "Sh-"

Format

The 14 national teams competing in the Dota 2 medal event for the 19th Asian Games are split into seeded and unseeded teams. The seeded teams are guaranteed a spot in the playoffs while the unseeded teams will first have to fight through a group stage,

The seeded teams include China, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, and Nepal. Meanwhile, the unseeded teams include India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Mongolia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Uzbekistan.

The group stage for the unseeded teams will feature three groups of three teams each, with the top team of each group advancing to the playoffs. Here are the groupings:

• Group A: India, Kyrgyzstan, Philippines

• Group B: Indonesia, Hong Kong, Thailand

• Group C: Mongolia, Myanmar, Uzbekistan

The opening round of the playoffs will feature China taking on the Group B winner, Saudi Arabia taking on Malaysia, Kazakhstan taking on the Group C winner, and Nepal taking on the Group A winner.