Sheep Esports – VALORANT – Champions 2025: EDward Gaming, a title to defend (5/16)

From September 12 to October 5, the Champions — VALORANT’s World Championship — will happen in Paris. To mark the event, Sheep Esports is presenting one of many 16 certified groups every day, main as much as the beginning of the match. This Sunday, the countdown continues with the introduction of EDward Gaming, reigning champions and third seed from VCT China.

Closing out 2024 in model with their victory at Champions Seoul, the Chinese powerhouse had a robust yr total, although with out a main worldwide triumph. EDG kicked off 2025 by taking first place on the Kickoff occasion. That victory secured them a ticket to Bangkok for the primary Masters of the season. Their first worldwide LAN of the yr ended with a strong Top 3 end, reduce brief by a decrease bracket last loss to T1, who went on to win the occasion in a shock run.

Returning to China, EDG narrowly missed out on qualifying for Masters Toronto after ending Top 4 in Stage 1. Still, the staff bounced again by qualifying for the Esports World Cup by the Chinese qualifier. However, their efficiency there was much less convincing, bowing out with a ninth–twelfth place end after a bunch stage exit behind Fnatic and Gen.G Esports. Thanks to the circuit factors collected all through the season, EDG had been already near securing their spot in Paris—needing just a few extra factors in Stage 2 to verify their qualification.

Stage 2 proved difficult. EDG managed a Top 2 in teams however with out a lot dominance, they usually suffered a gap playoff loss to Dragon Ranger Gaming. Forced to run the gauntlet, they fought by three consecutive collection to lock in a Top 3 end, which formally assured them the #3 seed from VCT China.

Looking at their map pool, the present rotation performs considerably into EDward Gaming’s strengths—besides on Lotus. The Chinese squad performed the map almost 17 occasions this season however may solely handle a 29% win fee, with simply 5 victories to 12 defeats.

On the opposite hand, EDG have been way more constant on different maps. Corrode has been a brilliant spot with 4 wins in 5 appearances, whereas Haven (64% win fee) and Ascent (63%) have additionally been dependable decisions. This provides the staff some confidence heading into Champions Paris, even when two of their traditionally finest maps, Fracture and Pearl, are out of the pool.

Zheng “ZmjjKK” Yongkang is widely known as China’s brightest VALORANT star. Even earlier than EDG’s world title in 2024, his flashy persona and iconic mannerisms had already made him a fan favourite. That fame solely grew after lifting the trophy in Seoul.

In Stage 2 of VCT China, he as soon as once more topped his staff throughout most statistical classes, although not essentially standing out as the only finest participant of the league—a testomony to the depth and cohesion of EDG as a complete.

Still, ZmjjKK ranks inside the Top 5 in each ACS (Average Combat Score) and ADR (Average Damage per Round), underscoring his consistency and impression. Known initially for his aggressive Jett play, significantly with the Operator, he has more and more expanded his agent pool to incorporate Neon and Yoru because the meta evolves, proving his adaptability whereas sustaining his trademark aptitude.