China's Invictus Gaming esports team beat Britain’s Fnatic to win the 2018 League of Legends World Championship in Incheon, South Korea, on Nov. 3. Though it has long been marginalized, esports has become a large, rapidly growing industry. Photo: IC

Chinese fans cheer on their compatriots during the League of Legends World Championship finals on Nov. 3 in Incheon. Photo: IC

Esports teams competed in the first Honor of Kings Champion Cup on Aug. 12 in Beijing. Photo: IC

Esports athletes practice for an upcoming competition. Top players often train for more than 10 hours a day, which can cause neck and back pain. Photo: IC

In Zhengzhou, Henan province, esports athletes train on Aug. 29 in a dedicated esports facility that was built two years ago. Photo: IC

Students take a class on esports at Nanjing’s Communication University of China Nanjing on April 26. Photo: IC