▲ T1 players pose for a celebratory photo with the World Championship trophy (Source: Riot Games)

On November 2, at London’s O2 Arena, Korean team T1, the "defending champions," secured their fifth League of Legends (Lol) World Championship title and their second consecutive victory. In a best- of- five final, T1 faced a close match against China’s BLG from the LPL (League of Legends Pro League), ultimately emerging victorious with a 3- 2 score and adding a fifth star to their jersey.

The match between T1 and BLG is considered one of the most exciting and closely contested finals in recent years. In the first game, BLG showed strong preparation and dominated T1 to take the lead. However, T1 quickly regained focus in the second game, leveling the score. BLG continued to pressure T1, but T1 responded skillfully, pushing the match to the final game. The intense match concluded with a victory for T1. Although BLG’s player Bin showcased impressive skills in the finals, he expressed his disappointment over the loss in an interview. He said, “I thought we could win this match, but that’s how the game goes. Every moment was crucial, and every decision impacted the result. We had opportunities to win, especially in games four and five, so I’m very sad we couldn’t seize them.”

At the heart of T1’s victory after a hard- fought battle stands Lee “Faker” Sang- hyeok. Known as T1’s franchise star and a legendary figure in esports, Faker has maintained his top- level skills for over a decade. While most professional gamers peak in their early twenties and typically have a career span of about 3 to 4 years, Faker, now 28, continues to perform at an elite level. He was named Finals MVP for his performance, leading T1 to their fifth championship; proving his enduring skills in application. In games four and five, which had been tilting in BLG’s favor, Faker made decisive “super plays” that shifted the momentum. With this MVP award, Faker became the first player in the tournament’s history to win MVP more than once.

This year, in the domestic league, League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK), T1 showed disappointing performances that didn’t live up to their reputation as the previous year’s international tournament champions. In the domestic qualifiers for the World Championship, they barely advanced with the lowest seed, showing a tense and uncertain path to qualification. However, with the team rallying around veteran Faker, their victory was even more meaningful, and Faker’s performance is being praised even more. After the finals, Faker shared a humble reflection in an interview, saying, “We won this World Championship, but I feel the process could have been better, so I will strive to show an even better performance next year.” He also expressed his determination to continue working hard for the "T1 Dynasty."

Korean teams have consistently performed well in international tournaments, leading to a growing interest in esports. According to the viewer tracking site "esports chart," the match between T1 and BLG recorded a peak concurrent viewership of about 6.49 million. On the day of the finals of the 2023 World Championship, held in South Korea, around 50,000 fans gathered at places like the Gocheok Sky Dome and Gwanghwamun Square to watch the match, highlighting the popularity of esports. Additionally, esports were officially included as a sport in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, further showcasing the remarkable growth of the gaming industry.

When Faker won the gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games, he was asked, “Is esports a true sport?” He responded, “If the process of competing and preparing for the game positively influences others, and if the competitive spirit inspires people, I believe that is the essence of what makes something a sport.” His response reflected his mindset as a professional athlete. The T1 players, who give their best in every match, are writing a new chapter in the history of esports, beyond the game of League of Legends. With this year’s back- to- back victory and fifth championship title, T1 has built a remarkable legacy. Fans can look forward to more incredible performances from T1, continuing to inspire and bring hope to their supporters.

By Kim Han-seul, reporter  hozejunior@naver.com

<저작권자 © The Campus Journal, 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지>