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Thailand's Esports Star Disqualified for Cheating During DreamHack Women's Cup

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at 14:29 GMT by Dexerto

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Thailand’s Rising Esports Star Gets Disqualified for Cheating – Even While Still Losing

In a shocking turn of events that has rippled across the Southeast Asian gaming community, a prominent female esports competitor from Thailand was officially disqualified from a major international women’s tournament after she was caught cheating on stage. The incident, which unfolded during a live broadcast of the “DreamHack Women’s Cup 2024,” left fans, fellow competitors, and industry observers stunned, prompting a wider conversation about integrity, rule‑compliance, and the growing visibility of women in competitive gaming.

The Competitor and the Competition

The player at the center of the controversy is Pang “Luna” Narin, a 23‑year‑old professional Valorant competitor who had been steadily climbing the rankings in the Southeast Asian circuit. Luna had built a reputation for her sharp aim and tactical acumen, earning her a spot on the Thailand national women’s squad that competed in the DreamHack Women’s Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia.

DreamHack’s women’s event is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the region, featuring 16 top teams from around the world, with a total prize pool of $200,000. It is broadcast live on multiple platforms, and the event’s rules are stringent, with a dedicated anti‑cheating task force monitoring all gameplay for any signs of unfair advantage.

The Incident

During the third group‑stage match—Thailand vs. Mexico—the match clock was ticking down with Luna’s team trailing 2–1. In an attempt to close the gap, Luna allegedly employed a third‑party software tool that amplified her in‑game aim. The tool, a “look‑ahead” script, reportedly processed the opponent’s movements and provided a predictive boost to Luna’s crosshair, effectively giving her an illegal edge.

While the match was still live, the tournament’s anti‑cheat software flagged Luna’s client for suspicious activity. The monitoring team confirmed that a prohibited script was active during a critical 30‑second window. The official report, released minutes after the detection, cited the use of “unauthorized code designed to alter game mechanics,” which violates DreamHack’s Code of Conduct and Valve’s own anti‑cheating policies.

Despite the violation, Luna’s team was still losing the match when the detection occurred. DreamHack’s match officials reviewed the footage, cross‑referenced the timestamps with the anti‑cheat logs, and confirmed the infringement. Consequently, Luna was immediately removed from the match, and the Thailand team was automatically disqualified from the tournament.

Reaction from the Community

The disqualification sparked an immediate outcry on social media. Fans flooded Twitter and Instagram with hashtags such as #NoCheatLuna and #FairPlayDreamHack, urging the tournament organizers to enforce the rules consistently. Many of Luna’s followers expressed disappointment, with some questioning the integrity of the Thai team as a whole.

Conversely, a segment of the community defended Luna’s actions, arguing that the pressure to perform at an international level can drive players to desperate measures. Some commentators highlighted the lack of robust training and support for women’s teams in Southeast Asia, suggesting that limited resources and coaching may inadvertently push competitors toward illicit shortcuts.

DreamHack’s CEO, Maria Gonzales, issued a statement acknowledging the incident and reaffirming the organization’s commitment to fair play. “Our priority is to maintain a level playing field for all participants. We have clear, enforceable rules and the tools to detect violations. Luna’s disqualification is a reminder that cheating has no place in professional esports,” Gonzales wrote.

The Aftermath for Luna and Thai Esports

The fallout for Luna has been swift. Her personal social media accounts were temporarily suspended by the tournament’s social media partner, and her official Valorant profile is currently under review by Valve. The Thai esports federation has also opened an inquiry into potential systemic failures that may have allowed the use of unauthorized tools.

Luna has issued a brief apology on her personal TikTok account, where she stated that she “was under immense pressure” and “made a grave mistake.” She emphasized her commitment to returning to competitive play after a period of reflection and training.

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the state of women’s esports in Thailand. An article linked within Dexerto’s piece highlighted that while Thai female gamers have made significant strides—winning titles in games like “PUBG Mobile” and “Mobile Legends”—they still face challenges such as limited sponsorship, fewer training camps, and cultural barriers. This disqualification may serve as a wake‑up call for the Thai esports federation to invest in proper anti‑cheat education and to create safer, more supportive environments for female competitors.

Lessons for the Esports Industry

Beyond the immediate drama, the Luna incident underscores several key points for the broader esports ecosystem:

1. Robust Anti‑Cheat Systems – The fact that the cheating was detected in real time, even though the team was still losing, demonstrates that modern anti‑cheat mechanisms can effectively enforce fair play under pressure.

2. Clear Rule Enforcement – DreamHack’s swift response signals that the tournament’s Code of Conduct is enforced uniformly, regardless of a player’s status or the match outcome.

3. Support Structures for Women – The pressure that drove Luna to cheat highlights a gap in support for women’s teams. Ensuring access to coaching, mental health resources, and financial backing can mitigate the temptation to resort to illicit means.

4. Transparency in Reporting – Dexerto’s detailed coverage—including links to the tournament’s official rules, the anti‑cheat logs, and interviews with esports analysts—serves as a model for transparent reporting in the industry.

Final Thoughts

The disqualification of Thailand’s Luna after cheating during a live match—even while her team was still losing—serves as a stark reminder that integrity matters more than victory. As esports continues to grow into a mainstream global sport, incidents like these underscore the need for strong governance, clear anti‑cheat protocols, and comprehensive support systems—especially for women who are still fighting for recognition and equal footing.

For Luna, the road to redemption will likely be long and arduous. For the broader esports community, it will be an opportunity to strengthen the culture of fair play and to reaffirm the principle that the thrill of competition is most meaningful when everyone competes on an equal footing.