Biggest Underdog Wins in Gaming Tournaments

3 December 2025

Let’s be honest—there’s something magical about a good underdog story. In sports, movies, and yes, even in gaming, we love to cheer for the little guy. You know, the player or team that no one expects to win. The one that's been overshadowed, underestimated, and practically ignored—until they come out swinging and leave everyone speechless.

In the high-stakes world of competitive gaming, where million-dollar prize pools and world titles are on the line, underdog victories aren't just surprising—they’re legendary. So buckle up, because you’re about to relive some of the most jaw-dropping, heart-pounding, controller-throwing moments from the biggest underdog wins in gaming tournaments.

What Makes an Underdog Win So Special?

Alright, before we dive into the highlight reel, let's get one thing straight—underdog wins hit differently. They fuel our imagination. Why? Because they smack the impossible right in the face. They remind us that skill, grit, and a sprinkle of luck can flip the script in the blink of an eye.

In a scene dominated by well-funded teams, elite players with massive fanbases, and massive corporate sponsors, seeing a lesser-known player come out on top feels like watching David beat Goliath—with a controller instead of a slingshot.

1. The Cinderella Story of EVO Moment #37 – Daigo vs. Justin Wong

Let’s kick things off with the mother of all clutch plays. If you’ve ever dipped a toe into the fighting game scene, you’ve definitely heard of EVO Moment #37.

It was EVO 2004. Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike. The crowd was hyped. On one side, you had Justin Wong, considered one of the best in America. On the other side? Daigo Umehara, who—while respected—wasn't the favorite on U.S. soil.

Down to a pixel of health and facing a seemingly unescapable super combo, Daigo pulled off 15 frame-perfect parries in a row. Not only did he survive—he turned the tide and won the round.

🎮 Underdog Factor: Daigo was the underdog due to playing in a different scene and going up against a fan-favorite. Nobody expected that kind of execution under pressure.

2. The Rise of OG at The International 2018

If you're a Dota 2 fan, you probably still get chills talking about this one. OG's win at The International 2018 is one of the greatest underdog stories in esports history—period.

Before TI8, OG had lost a major player, had a last-minute roster shuffle, and didn’t even have enough points to directly qualify. They scraped their way in through the open qualifiers. ZERO people, and I mean zero, had them on their fantasy bracket.

But somehow, this patched-together squad with a rookie midlaner, Topson, smashed through juggernauts like PSG.LGD and Evil Geniuses. They didn't just win. They did it with style, confidence, and unbeatable team synergy.

🏆 Underdog Factor: No big org backing them, fractured team, rookie player—and they took home over $11 million.

3. Leffen's Redemption Arc at EVO 2018 (Smash Melee)

Let’s talk Super Smash Bros. Melee. For years, the “Five Gods” dominated the scene. And then came Leffen, a player as controversial as he was talented.

Leffen had always been seen as the villain. He talked big, made enemies, and had visa issues that kept him from competing. But at EVO 2018, everything changed.

Pitted against Melee royalty, Leffen didn't just win—he dismantled the competition in one of the most complete runs the game has ever seen. From underdog to dominator, Leffen rewrote his entire story.

🕹️ Underdog Factor: Banned from tournaments, labeled toxic, visa troubles, and always just falling short—until he finally pulled through.

4. Team Liquid at Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2019 (CS:GO)

Before becoming a household name in Counter-Strike, Team Liquid had the "always second-best" curse. Despite having insane skill on paper, they constantly choked in finals. Fans even joked they should change their name to “Team Almost.”

But at IEM Katowice 2019, Liquid faced off against Astralis, a team that was practically unbeatable at the time. Astralis was the big, bad boss. Liquid was the hopeful challenger.

In a thrilling upset, Liquid nailed their performance, taking the series and finally breaking the curse. It was the turning point for them and gave fans a reason to believe again.

💥 Underdog Factor: Repeated failures in finals, up against the most dominant team in CS history, and still came out victorious.

5. Punk vs. Tokido – The Evil Genius Kid That Almost Did It

Let’s switch gears. Ever hear of a teenager schooling veterans? That’s what happened when Punk burst onto the Street Fighter V scene.

At just 18, Punk had a cocky attitude but the skills to back it up. In the finals of Capcom Cup 2017, he went toe-to-toe with Tokido—a seasoned champion with nerves of steel.

Punk didn't take the win, but his performance leading up to the grand finals was nothing short of meteoric. Nobody expected a teen to sweep through global titans like he did. And even though he fell short in the final round, Punk proved that age and experience weren’t the only things that mattered.

🔥 Underdog Factor: Teenager, new to the competitive scene, and yet bulldozing pros like it was nothing.

6. RunAway’s Heartbreaking … and then Triumphant Overwatch Journey

RunAway started out as a small, independent Korean Overwatch team. No org, no banners, no big salaries—just raw passion and talent.

Time after time, they made deep runs in tournaments, only to fall just short. People started calling them cursed. But they didn’t quit.

Finally, in 2018, they powered through Overwatch Contenders Korea and lifted the trophy. It was more than a win—it was a redemption arc years in the making.

❤️ Underdog Factor: No funding, no org, repeatedly losing in finals—and they still kept grinding until they won.

7. Vici Gaming’s Unexpected Rise in Fortnite World Cup

Here’s a twist—Vici Gaming was known primarily in other esports, but in Fortnite, they weren’t even on the radar. Enter the Fortnite World Cup Duos 2019.

The Chinese duo, Vivid and Wolfiez, came in as total dark horses. With minimal expectations on their backs, they turned the tables. Precision, teamwork, and a cool head under pressure helped them earn a massive payout and worldwide recognition.

🌍 Underdog Factor: Minimal hype, low expectations, and suddenly they’re standing on the biggest Fortnite stage in the world.

8. GamerBee’s Global Invasion in Street Fighter IV

Taiwan doesn't usually come to mind when you think of Street Fighter powerhouses. That changed when GamerBee stepped onto the EVO stage in 2010.

Using Adon—a character that was considered weak—he tore through some of the best players in the world. No one had him pegged as a threat, but he kept winning, one upset after another.

By the time he hit the Top 8, the crowd was fully behind him. It wasn’t just about winning anymore. It was about proving a point. And boy, did he ever.

🥋 Underdog Factor: From an unknown region, using a low-tier character, and still placing among the best.

Why Underdog Stories Matter in Gaming

So what do all these stories have in common? Heart. Passion. The refusal to give up even when the odds are stacked against you like a Jenga tower.

In a world where big money often means dominant teams, underdog victories remind us why we fell in love with gaming in the first place. They represent the soul of competition. The spark that says, "Yeah, maybe I can do this too."

These wins aren’t just about the prize money or the trophy. They’re about rewriting the script. They’re about making history. And most importantly—they’re about inspiring the rest of us to keep pushing play.

Final Thoughts

If there's one thing to take away from the biggest underdog wins in gaming tournaments, it’s this: Never count anyone out. Whether it’s a rookie stepping up, a broken team finding their rhythm, or a nation rewriting the meta, these stories prove that greatness can come from the most unexpected places.

So next time you're watching a tournament and everyone says “this team doesn’t stand a chance,” you might want to keep your eyes on the quiet ones. After all, that’s usually when magic happens.

And who knows? The next underdog win might just be yours.