Dr. Yew Weng Kean created history as the first Malaysian to win an esports gold medal at the 2019 SEA Games on Monday.
The Hearthstone player, an associate professor at Heriot Watt University Malaysia, beat Thailand's Popian Werit 3-1 in the final after coming through the Lower Bracket.
After making past the Group A qualifying round, the 29-year-old with a Doctor of Philosophy was knocked out of the Upper Bracket by Chew Khai Kiat but exacted revenge when he reached the Lower Bracket final to face the Singaporean again, winning 3-1 this time.
"This gold medal means a lot to me and Malaysia, because it is our first medal for esports in SEA Games history.
"I feel amazing, happy and grateful. I believed that I was able to make history by contributing a medal to the country.
"Esports is a trend now and will stay regardless of what we do. Parents should look at it from a positive side, because gaming can actually improve your thinking, critical and strategic skills.
"These are all the necessary skills to life. But kids should have balance between gaming, healthy activities and studies. If you are gaming all the time without improvement in studies, you are not going very far," Yew said the medal presentation ceremony.
His achievement was Malaysia's second esports medal in the Philippines after the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team of Ahmad Ali Huzaifi Abdullah, Abdul Wandi Abdul Kadir, Jamil Nurolla, Izme Haqeem Hamsjid and Muhammad Hazeem Onn won bronze on Sunday.
Malaysia also almost had a podium finish in Arena of Valor as they finished fourth.
Esports was contested as a medal event for the first time at this year's SEA Games, with the other games being Dota 2, StarCraft II and Tekken 7.
Seng Foo Lee
Mon Dec 09 2019
New York City v Charlotte FC: Cushing wants more from in-form hosts
New York City v Charlotte preview
FC Cincinnati v Colorado Rapids: Armas wants players to enjoy rise
FC Cincinnati v Colorado preview
Guardiola insists three teams still in title hunt despite Liverpool slip-up
Guardiola: Don't rule Liverpool out
Foden: De Bruyne the best in the Premier League
Foden: KDB best in Premier League
Los Angeles FC v Portland Timbers: Neville relishing swift rematch
Preview: LAFC v Portland Timbers
Brighton 0-4 Manchester City: Foden at the double as champions leapfrog Liverpool
Report: Brighton 0-4 Man City
World number one Swiatek sees off Xiyu in Madrid opener
No worries for Swiatek in Madrid
Foden matches Messi and Haaland feat with 50th league goal under Guardiola
Foden matches Messi, Haaland
Arne Slot wants to join Liverpool, 'confident' agreement will be struck
Arne Slot confirms Liverpool talks
New Zealand take unassailable series lead after hard-fought victory over Pakistan
NZ go 2-1 up in T20I series