GAM Esports and the Journey to Touch the World Dream: When Tears Are No Longer a Weakness

I still remember September 22, 2026, when all of Hanoi poured onto the streets to celebrate GAM Esports' 2-0 victory over Taipei Bears in the Worlds play-in stage. But not everyone knows that behind that victory lies a long story of growth, of tears no longer hidden. GAM Esports, Vietnam's top esports team, had an emotional journey at the 2026 League of Legends World Championship. They not only secured a spot in the group stage but also made the world look up. Yet few know that to reach that moment, they had to overcome deep psychological wounds from previous seasons. I had a chance to talk with Levi – GAM's captain – after the decisive match. He sat quietly in the locker room, holding the trophy in both hands, but his eyes were distant. 'I remember the first time I cried on stage,' he said. 'That was in 2026, when we lost to PSG Talon in the qualifiers. I cried like a child, and I thought it was a weakness. But now I understand, tears are not weakness. They are a way to release the pain and stand up stronger.' That is the spirit of GAM Esports this season. They no longer fear failure. They know that sometimes, vulnerability is the catalyst for unity. In the match against Taipei Bears, GAM fell behind in the first half. They made mistakes, lost advantages, and the stadium seemed to sink. But instead of panicking, they did something few Vietnamese teams have done: they stopped, looked at each other, and took a deep breath together. 'We have practiced this for six months,' Coach Hankay shared. 'We call it the “quiet minute.” When things go wrong, we spend 30 seconds looking into each other's eyes, reminding ourselves that we are not alone. That is how we transform pressure into positive energy.' And the miracle happened. At minute 25, Levi and Slayder executed a perfect team fight, secured Baron, then marched straight into the enemy base. The entire stadium erupted. I saw tears streaming down the players' faces. But this time, they didn't hide them. They let those tears flow freely, as a way to affirm: tears are no longer a sign of weakness, but of release and pride. I asked Levi how he felt standing on the world stage. He smiled: 'It feels like I'm touching a dream. But that dream doesn't come from luck. It comes from sleepless nights of practice, from falling and getting back up, from tears we no longer hide.' GAM Esports has written a beautiful story for Vietnamese esports. They are not just a team; they are a symbol of resilience. In a world where success is often measured by victories, GAM has shown that sometimes, tears are the truest measure of courage. As I left the locker room, I could still hear singing from the changing room: 'Vietnam, we go together.' That melody mixed with the crying of young boys created a symphony both tragic and heroic. And I know, the story of GAM Esports is not over. It has just begun.