Valorant Champions 2021 Finals: Acend Crowned First Valorant Champion

Valorant Champions 2021 Finals: Acend Crowned as First Valorant Champions Defeating Russian Powerhouse Gambit. Two EMEA titans battled it out for the chance to be crowned the first-ever Valorant Champions 2021 Finals, bringing a year of competitive VALORANT to an end. Acend, on the other hand, triumphed 3-2 over Gambit Esports following a series that bounced back and forth frequently in intense Acend vs Gambit thriller.

We are the first Valorant Champions.

GGs @GambitEsports, what a battle.#RiseUP pic.twitter.com/5LTgj6fP9r

— Acend (@AcendClub) December 12, 2021

Acend won the VALORANT world championship title in 2021 by defeating Gambit Esports, the Masters 3 Berlin champions, in the VALORANT Champions grand final. They took home a US$350,000 first-place reward as well as a share of the Champions Collection net revenues, which are still being finalized. Gambit, on the other hand, will receive a consolation prize of $150,000.

THE FIRST-EVER WORLD CHAMPIONS OF VALORANT!

🏆 @AcendClub 🏆 pic.twitter.com/P9oB3djR3B

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) December 12, 2021

After a 3-9 disadvantage, Gambit Esports reclaimed their selection, Breeze, in the final. Gambit Esports broke the 9-3 curse by stopping Acend from seizing the match point and winning eight consecutive rounds to win the map 13-11. Acend’s pick, Ascent, showed no signs of being shaken by their previous defeat, winning 13-7 and drawing the series 1-1.

Acend vs Gambit: Acend Becomes First-Ever Valorant Champions

He's a menace with the Sheriff! @BonecoldVAL | #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/BD4Gbn92qo

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) December 12, 2021

On Fracture, Gambit Esports regrouped and bulldozed their way to a 13-3 victory, with Ayaz “nAts” Akhmetshin’s Cypher leading the charge and averaging 394 ACS at the map’s conclusion.

Acend, on the other hand, refused to accept a 3-1 defeat even at the end of the series. Gambit couldn’t hold on to their lead for long, and the game went into overtime, which Acend easily won, tying the series once more.

.@Sheydosk1ng coming alive with the 4K! #VALORANTChampions pic.twitter.com/pu5DNTsR1A

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) December 12, 2021

For the final map of the best-of-five, both teams met on one of the original maps, dating all the way back to the Split. A lead loss by Gambit on Icebox put them on the back foot during the final map of the series, and Acend took the lead early, seemingly running over Gambit all over the map and at every turn.