Nongshim RedForce just beat one of European Valorant’s biggest names on an international stage, and their star player is already looking past it. Lee “Dambi” Hyuk-kyu told Dot Esports after the quarterfinal that the Esports World Cup win over Team Vitality is a waypoint, not a destination.
The destination? Becoming the first roster in competitive Valorant history to win both a VCT Masters title and the Champions crown in the same calendar year. For a team that entered the international circuit through Riot Games’ Ascension pathway, that kind of ambition would have sounded delusional twelve months ago. It doesn’t anymore.
From Ascension underdogs to tournament favorites
Nongshim RedForce took down Team Vitality 2-1 on July 10 at EWC 2026, advancing through the quarterfinals of a Valorant bracket carrying a $2 million prize pool. The overall Esports World Cup event features $75 million in total prizes across all titles, making it one of the largest purses in competitive gaming history.
But the EWC result only adds to a year that was already historic. Back on March 15, Nongshim swept Paper Rex 3-0 to win VCT Masters Santiago 2026, collecting $350,000 and 6 VCT circuit points. That victory made them the first team promoted through the Ascension pathway to ever win an international Masters trophy.
