Elevate, hailing from the Philippines, have won the COD Mobile Summer Invitational (CDSI) 2024, ending China’s streak of international tournament victories.
Image Credits: Timi Esports
COD Mobile was released globally in October 2019 but didn’t arrive in China until over a year later. Despite this, the country was able to create a developed esports ecosystem for the game quickly. The region initially failed to perform in international tournaments, with Tribe winning the 2022 COD Mobile World Championship.
In 2023, however, the region was able to find redemption. They started it off at the CDSI 2023 which featured teams from China, SEA, and Japan. Ultimately, Douyu Gaming faced off against Wolves in an all-China final in front of a home crowd to become the winners. At the year-end World Championship Finals, they secured the title as well, with Wolves coming out on top. Following this, at the Snapdragon Mobile Masters 2024, Q9 were able to secure another victory for China.
China is known to be a force to be reckoned with in many esports titles. In COD Mobile, the region has the most developed esports ecosystem with the China Masters. Thus, Elevate’s victory over them at the CDSI 2024, in front of a China home crowd, is even more impressive.
Elevate battle through lower bracket for COD Mobile Summer Invitational 2024 title
Image Credits: Timi Esports
After coming in third in the group stage, Elevate found themselves in the lower bracket of the Playoffs. Every match had the looming fear of elimination. Despite this, they cruised through the lower bracket, even taking down the defending world champions, Wolves, in the process.
Therefore, Elevate came into the Grand Finals with all the odds stacked against them. This is because they had just played in an intense best-of-seven lower bracket final while their opponents, the formidable Q9 from China, had played their previous match a day before. Additionally, Q9 were in front of a home crowd. Despite this, the Filipino squad were dominant, winning the series 4-1 at the Chengdu AG E-Sports Centre in China.
Now, the next international tournament for COD Mobile esports will be the 2024 World Championship Finals where Elevate and Q9 have both qualified. It’s set to happen at the Dreamhack Atlanta from Oct. 4 to 6. Can China reclaim its throne or will the dominant Elevate claim the world championship title as well?
