Wink Joins EDward Gaming: Major Transfer Shakes Up Chinese Esports Scene

This high-profile transfer has ignited debates and discussions among netizens on social media platforms, primarily Weibo. Zhang Rui’s journey through the professional League of Legends scene has been marked by several notable shifts and moments. Making his debut in December 2017 at the Demacia Cup Qingdao Station as the main AD Carry (ADC) for RYL under the ID "kiyomi," Zhang’s career has seen frequent team changes and role adjustments.

His initial years were challenging; despite showing promise, his team RYL failed to make a significant impact in the League of Legends Development League (LDL), missing the playoffs in both the Spring and Summer splits of 2018. In a tactical move by Royal Never Give Up (RNG), Zhang was recruited at the end of 2018 as a substitute for star ADC player Jian “Uzi” Zihao. He rebranded himself as “Wink” and was put into action during the 2019 League of Legends Pro League (LPL) Spring Split, stepping in for Uzi on six occasions.

RNG’s performance during that split was strong, finishing the regular season in fourth place but unfortunately falling to JD Gaming (JDG) in the second round of playoffs. 2019’s Summer Split saw Uzi back in full force as RNG’s starting ADC, leading the team to the World Championship (Worlds) as the second seed.

Wink accompanied the team but did not get any playtime during the tournament. Subsequently, in December 2019, eStar Gaming announced Wink’s transfer, marking a new chapter in his career where he emerged as the primary ADC for eStar during the 2020 LPL Spring Split.

His commendable performance, featuring 37 appearances and earning him six MVP titles, secured eStar a fifth-place finish in the regular season. However, their playoff run was cut short by Team WE. The latter half of 2020 proved less fruitful, with eStar finishing near the bottom of the league standings during the Summer Split. Despite this setback, Wink continued to be a key player, showcasing resilience and adaptability.

His journey took another turn in December 2020 when Invictus Gaming (iG) confirmed his transfer to their roster as their ADC. Wink’s tenure with iG was marked by a series of ups and downs, with the team struggling to make a deep playoff run. His role shifted once again as he returned to iG in February 2022, occasionally playing as a support.

On May 20, 2024, Han Yi’s announcement of Wink joining EDG has captivated the esports community, prompting widespread reactions. One Weibo user expressed a sense of urgency and anticipation surrounding the numerous team transfers this season, stating, “I have roughly glanced at it.

I will need to watch at least 4-5 teams this summer, but the priority of the main team will vary, and we still have to wait for the final decision.” This sentiment mirrors the general atmosphere of uncertainty and excitement that characterizes the LoL transfer periods.

In stark contrast to the structured world of esports, the realm of professional table tennis in China has been dealing with its set of controversies. Notably, veteran player Ma Long’s recent withdrawal from the World Table Tennis (WTT) 2024 Chongqing Championship has sparked significant debate.

Ma Long, revered for his achievements and resilience, has faced a series of bans and challenges, which many fans perceive as unfair targeting by the organizing bodies. One passionate fan lamented on social media, “Why? Ma Long’s Paris cycle started with a ban and ended with a ban.

As a veteran, he plays well, and that’s his fault? He just defended his Olympic title in 2021, was banned from the National Games, the Houston World Table Tennis Championships, the Grand Finals. He won the World Cup in 2024, and his ranking is about to return to second place. Banned again from the Championship? WTT, despite being a commercial competition, assigns a 0-point penalty for the whole year! He’s already not playing singles at the Olympics; can’t he return to world No. 2?”

As of the latest rankings released by the International Table Tennis Federation on May 14, Ma Long is positioned third globally, trailing behind Wang Chuqin and Fan Zhendong. This ranking is critical, as it impacts his ability to secure participation in future events. The outcry on social media underscores the significance of these rankings for veteran players like Ma Long, who rely on their standings to maintain a competitive edge. Another user on Weibo shed light on the broader implications of Ma Long’s withdrawal, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Chongqing Championship as the last major event before the Paris Olympics. “According to the relevant documents of the Paris Olympics, the top two ranked players of each association in the world ranking on June 18 automatically qualify for the singles.

Our team announced the singles list on May 7: Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin. On May 28, Ma Long will return to world No. 2. Can I ask why? Afraid of public questioning your singles spots, so you hurriedly banned Ma Long from the last competition before the Olympics? From the start of the cycle, he was banned from significant international events, now he’s back and about to reclaim No. 2, and you guys are panicking again?”

Both the esports and table tennis communities in China are demonstrating the power of social media in shaping public opinion and driving discourse. While Wink’s transfer to EDG marks an exciting new phase in his professional career, Ma Long’s situation highlights the ongoing struggles and controversies faced by elite athletes in their pursuit of excellence.

The passionate outpouring on platforms like Weibo reflects a deep connection between the fans and their idols, as well as the evolving dynamics of sports management and governance in China.