As the lights dimmed at the Jing'an Sports Center on Sunday's evening, applause and cheers from the audience lingered for nearly five minutes following the conclusion of the 2025 Shanghai Esports Masters. A banner reading "We Will Sing the Victory Song Again" stood out in the afterglow.

Co-hosted by the Shanghai Administration of Sports and the Jing'an district government, the event set a five-year record with over 12 million cumulative views across nine live-streaming platforms, 500 million-plus views of related Douyin clips, while premium tickets sold out in seconds.

Held from Dec 3 to 7, the tournament featured four carefully selected events — Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), Valorant, Overwatch and Identity V — drawing nearly 100 top players globally.

Among standout performers was Qu Donghao (ID: Life), a Valorant player from Team FPX, whose steady performance showcased the skills that define China's new-generation of professional esports athletes.

"I was stunned walking into the venue — it's far larger than I imagined," Qu said. The feeling was familiar: the moment he and his team defeated powerhouse FUT at last year's Shanghai Masters remained at the forefront of his mind.

"What moved me wasn't the victory, but the home crowd cheering after we won — everyone waving sticks and shouting under the lights," Qu, the former grassroots streamer-turned-pro, said. "That sense of belonging was overwhelming."

The venue's youthful energy and passion shattered the long-standing myth that "esports is not a proper occupation". When asked about the controversy, Qu stayed calm.

"Many industries faced skepticism before gaining recognition, and esports is no different," Qu said. "Time will prove it's a legitimate career — and I've worked hard for it, so I believe in it."