Zeka fuels Hanwha Life Esports to glory at First Stand Tournament

Hanwha Life Esports recorded a 3-1 win over Karmine Corp in the grand final on Sunday to complete an unbeaten run through the 2025 First Stand Tournament in Seoul, South Korea.

South Korean Geon-woo "Zeka" Kim was named the MVP after helping Hanwha Life Esports capture the first-place prize of $300,000. HLE won all four of their round-robin matches before securing a 3-0 win over Top Esports on Saturday in the semifinals of the knockout stage.

Karmine Corp posted a 36-minute win on red to take the early advantage on Sunday before Hanwha Life Esports responded with a flourish. HLE secured a 30-minute victory on blue, a 27-minute triumph on red and a 36-minute win on blue to win the title.

?? @HLEOFFICIAL ARE THE #FST2025 CHAMPIONS! ?? pic.twitter.com/mFV5nsjv4s

— LoL Esports (@lolesports) March 16, 2025

Final round-robin standings (with overall record and map record):

1. Hanwha Life Esports, 4-0, 8-2

2. CTBC Flying Oyster, 3-1, 6-2

3. Karmine Corp, 1-3, 4-6

4. Top Esports, 1-3, 2-6

5. Team Liquid, 1-3, 3-7

2025 First Stand prize pool:

1. Hanwha Life Esports, $300,000

2. Karmine Corp, $225,000

3-4. CTBC Flying Oyster, Top Esports, $172,500

5. Team Liquid, $130,000

--Field Level Media