Mu Xinyue, known in the Identity V scene as “Persica”, has made it to the history books after becoming the first woman to win an esports gold medal at the Asian Games.
On September 30, 2026, China beat Japan in the final of the Identity V (Asian Games edition) event at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, and Mu stood on the top step of the podium with her team. As a result, this makes her the first female athlete to take gold since esports joined the Asian Games programme.
Her presence on the roster was notable in itself. Mu, who plays for WBG, was the only woman among the 23 athletes on China’s national esports team. She wasn’t just handed a place on the squad either. The training camp used the same standards for men and women, with no separate gender groups or reserved spots. She earned her qualification by finishing first in her group in the camp’s assessments.
“When I first started competing, I never imagined that I would be able to win a gold medal on the Asian Games stage,” Mu said in a statement. “When the national anthem was played, and the gold medal was around my neck, I was so excited and happy. I think this may be the happiest moment of my life.”
For the unaware, Identity V is a lopsided 1-versus-4 game where one player takes the role of a hunter chasing down four survivors who are trying to escape. Each match is split into two halves, and the rival teams swap roles in between, so everyone gets a turn on both sides. Points come from how many survivors manage to get away and how many the hunter takes out.
Mu delivered when it mattered. In a key round, she pulled off a strong comeback performance that helped China hold a draw. Fans from throughout the world praised her bold and incredibly well-timed plays against the Japanese side.
The win also marked an end to China’s successful esports campaign at the Asian Games 2026, having finished its four esports events with three golds and one silver. Mu’s victory was also China’s 151st gold medal of the Games.
Mu Xinyue’s gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 is not only a remarkable achievement in itself, but it also serves as proof for a lot of aspiring female gamers that the highest podium is well within reach.
