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Fuel to the Flames: How Dallas Fuel won their first title in the Overwatch League Play-Offs Finals
New World Order
A new dynasty has formed since last Friday, with Dallas Fuel taking home their first Overwatch League (OWL) Play-Offs title to cap off their dominating year. This also marks the first win for all players on the 8-man roster. The team has remained together since late 2021 and accomplished a first placing in the regular season in 2022.
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In poetic fashion, Dallas Fuel’s victory in the OWL finals, was over the San Francisco Shock, an echo of the regular season. All the way to the end of the season, the teams were in a dead heat, and the Fuel’s first place finish captured imaginations as they surmounted the legendary organization.
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Burning Brighter Than Ever
Since the shuffle of talent in 2021, the Fuel has catapulted themselves from the dregs of last placements to a world contender. Another change to attribute would be the stepping up of Choi “Hanbin” Han-been as a leader for the team. As the expert solo tank, he leads from the front with experience and indomitable plays on his signature Zarya.
Having just won his second Role Star award, “Hanbin” has proven himself a world class talent. In an interview, he mentions a large part of the Fuel’s success this year has been due to ‘[Hanbin] doing a really good job adjusting to Overwatch 2.’ His quick adaptation to the new game allowed him to ‘lead [his] teammates and make sure [he] could help them also get adjusted to the game.’
Dallas Fuel has won second place at the Kickoff Clash in 2022, followed by a first-place finish at Summer Showdown and their aforementioned results for the regular season. Their win at Play-Offs also marks the second time in the organization’s history that they reached semi-finals at Play-Offs. The first time being 2021, where a narrow loss to Atlanta Reign ended the Fuel’s season.
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It Went The Distance
The finals of the OWL Play-Offs went the distance, in a Bo7 map that delivered on all fronts. San Francisco Shock was the first to reach championship point, at 3-2. Throughout the series, it had been the Kim “Proper” Dong-hyun show. The 18-year-old season MVP and Rookie of the Year winner carried the team on his Sojourn. And up until the 6th map, he seemed destined for the OWL crown to cap off his incredible year.
Then Dallas Fuel star DPS Kim “Edison” Tae-Hoon tapped his shoulder and reminder the young phenom that he was not the only carry that night. Edison would put on a masterclass on his own Sojourn for the final two maps, decimating the DPS ranks of the Shock over and over again.
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There was little that could be done by the former champions as between both “Edison” and Kim “Sp9rk1e” Yeong-han stepping on their throats, the Fuel cleaned out Maps 6 and 7 to take the series. San Francisco Shock had previously won two Play-Offs titles, in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Coming into the series with hopes for a third title, the team sadly fell short early in the tournament, falling to Houston Outlaws.
They Were ‘This’ Close
On their knees early, the Shock would take down Shanghai Dragons (defending champions), LA Gladiators (3rd in regular season), Seoul Dynasty (1st seed from East), Hangzhou Spark, and Houston Outlaws (dark horse of the event). In the OWL finals, they were one map away from completing the miracle run.
It was not to be, as Dallas Fuel’s rally on the final maps, secured their victory over the rookie roster of San Francisco Shock. For his performance on the loveable Winston, Lee “Fearless” Eui-Seok won the Grand Finals MVP. After years of disappointment and heartbreak, 2022 embodied a gratifying victory with so much meaning for the Fuel. From a successful season to the win to cap off the year, it embodied the spirit of the OWL in attaining new heights.
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