Gaimin Gladiators capture third straight major crown in Bali

(Photo credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

Gaimin Gladiators continued their Dota 2 dominance on Sunday, winning the 2023 Bali Major for their third victory in a major this year.

GG defeated Team Liquid 3-1 to achieve the unprecedented majors sweep.

Both teams began with wins on green, with GG taking the first map in 48 minutes and Liquid countering with a victory in 54 minutes. GG steamrolled through the final two maps, however, with triumphs in 22 minutes on green and 30 minutes on red.

“In the arena, skill and experience prevailed. Today, history was made: three major champs in a row, five Tier 1 wins. Though we are not invincible, our strength knows no bounds,” GG tweeted, in part, after the victory, which earned them $200,000 and 600 Dota Pro Circuit points.

GG won the Lima Major in March, the Berlin Major in May and had first-place finishes in DreamLeague Seasons 19 and 20. Their lineup features Quinn “Quinn” Callahan, Anton “dyrachyo” Shkredov, Marcus “Ace” Hoelgaard, Erik “tOfu” Engel and Melchior “Seleri” Hillenkamp.

Liquid took home $100,000 and 550 DPC points.

Liquid advanced to the best-of-five grand final by sweeping Tundra Esports 2-0 earlier in the day in the lower bracket final, winning in 43 minutes on green and 46 on red. By finishing third, Tundra won $75,000 and earned 500 DPC points.

Eighteen Dota 2 teams from around the world were invited to compete for the $500,000 prize pool.

Bali Major 2023 standings, prize pool (DPC points):

1. Gaimin Gladiators — $200,000 (600)

2. Team Liquid — $100,000 (550)

3. Tundra Esports — $75,000 (500)

4. Quest Esports — $50,000 (450)

5-6. PSG.LGD, 9Pandas — $25,000 (400)

7-8. Azure Ray, beastcoast — $12,500 (300)

9-12. Team Spirit, BetBoom Team, Shopify Rebellion, Team Aster

13-14. Blacklist International, Bleed Esports

15-16. Execration, nouns

17-18. Invictus Gaming, Evil Geniuses

–Field Level Media