This could be the year when the Uncrowned King finally get his hands on the Aegis of Champions.
Wang "Ame" Chunyu wasted no time reminding everyone why he's considered one of the greatest carry players in Dota 2 history.
On the opening day of The International 2025, the Xtreme Gaming veteran put on a breathtaking display, finishing with a combined kill-death-assist (KDA) of 46-1-44 across five games. His consistency and dominance had fans and analysts alike in awe, as every move he made seemed perfectly calculated to tip fights in his team's favor.
That individual brilliance translated directly into team success, with the Chinese roster storming to a flawless 2-0 start in the Swiss stage. The highlight came in a commanding victory over Team Spirit, one of the tournament's heavy favorites, which instantly established XG as a serious contender for the Aegis of Champions. For Ame, it was a performance that not only reaffirmed his legendary status but also set the tone for what could be another iconic run on the biggest stage Dota 2 has to offer.
Ame kicked off his TI14 run in full force, making it clear from the very first series that he's here to dominate. Against Aurora, he delivered with Ursa in game one, where he posted a jaw-dropping 18-0-4 KDA. He then followed it up with Sven, finishing at 10-0-10. Both performances highlighted his mix of mechanical mastery and game sense, instantly establishing himself as the standout player of the day.
That warm-up led straight into the marquee showdown against Spirit, the two-time TI champions, and Ame showed he could rise to the challenge and overshadow Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk. He opened the series with a 12-0-11 on Alchemist, dictating the pace with complete control.
While Spirit struck back in game two, handing Ame his only death of the entire day on Faceless Void, he responded in resounding fashion. In the deciding match, Ame's Anti-Mage went 5-0-15, sealing a 2-1 series win over the Eastern European powerhouse.
This dominant opening day cemented Xtreme Gaming as one of TI14's top contenders and made Ame as the player to watch. Defeating Aurora was expected, but outclassing Team Spirit proved that this wasn't just a hot streak, it was a statement of intent. With his form looking sharper than ever, Ame seems closer than ever to shedding the title of "Uncrowned King" and finally lifting the Aegis.