Xtreme Gaming delivered one of the most memorable performances of The International 2025 so far, with Wang “Ame” Chunyu pulling out a surprise Clinkz pick to complete a 2-0 sweep against defending champions Tundra Esports in the upper bracket quarterfinals.
The victory sent the Chinese powerhouse into the semifinals and reinforced their status as one of the strongest title contenders this year. Known as “The Uncrowned King,” Ame once again showcased why he’s considered one of the best carries in Dota 2 history.
In the opening game, he stuck with a tried-and-true hero, Troll Warlord, and delivered another clinical performance. Ame finished with an 8-3-6 scoreline, helping Xtreme Gaming claw back from a deficit in a grueling 55-minute battle. The final 23-18 scoreline also extended Troll Warlord’s incredible unbeaten streak at TI 2025 to nine matches, cementing the hero as one of the tournament’s most reliable choices.
If the first game showed Ame’s consistency, the second highlighted his boldness. In a move that stunned analysts and fans alike, he became the first player to pick Clinkz at TI 2025, a hero that hadn’t been drafted once during the 108 group stage games, and the gamble worked. Ame went 8-5-4 in an intense 45-minute back-and-forth war, securing a 21-16 victory that sealed Xtreme Gaming’s spot in the semifinals.
With this result, Xtreme Gaming remains undefeated, extending their flawless run at the tournament to five consecutive series wins. Their dominance guarantees at least a top-six finish and a payout close to $130,000, but their ambitions are clearly set much higher. They now await PARIVISION or HEROIC in the next round, just two victories away from reaching the grand finals.
Ame’s Clinkz pick displayed Xtreme Gaming’s confidence and strategic depth. “Pulling out Clinkz in this stage shows they’re not just playing safe, they’re pushing the meta forward,” one commentator remarked after the game. It’s a level of innovation that separates true contenders from the rest of the field, especially when the pressure is at its peak.
For Xtreme Gaming, the win was another step in the bracket as well as a statement. By combining Ame’s tournament-leading performances with daring draft strategies, they’ve emerged as the team most likely to lift the Aegis of Champions. And if Ame continues to play at this level, fans might finally see the “Uncrowned King” claim his long-awaited throne.
