In Front of an Ecstatic Audience, T1 and Faker Secure Fourth League of Legends World Championship Title
By Corentin Parbaud | Published on November 19, 2023 at 12:14 p.m. | Updated on November 19, 2023 at 5:33 p.m.
The long-awaited dream scenario unfolded on Sunday as T1, led by their captain Sang-hyeok “Faker” Lee, clinched their fourth League of Legends World Championship title on home soil. The Sky Dome in Seoul witnessed a thrilling finale, with T1 dominating Weibo Gaming in a 3-0 victory.
For Sang-hyeok “Faker” Lee, who has been at the helm of T1’s victorious campaigns throughout his career, this triumph further solidifies his status as the greatest player of all time. Ten years after his initial coronation, Faker continues to leave an indelible mark on the esports world.
T1 entered the final as the favorites, given their impressive performance in the tournament leading up to the grand finale. However, the team had faced disappointment in their previous five finals, including a heartbreaking loss at the hands of DRX in last year’s Worlds. This time, T1 held their nerve, with Woo-je “Zeus” Choi delivering a stellar performance and earning the well-deserved MVP title.
The opening moments of the final saw T1 take the advantage in team fights, thanks to the initiations of Hyeon-jun “Oner” Mun and the daring plays of Zeus on Yone. Seung-Iok “TheShy” Kang, the 2018 world champion and T1’s direct opponent, struggled to match the South Korean team’s dominance. T1 continued their demolition in the second game, with Zeus showcasing his skills on Gwen and securing a swift victory.
A One-Sided Finale
Weibo Gaming, the surprise contender in the final, attempted to mount a comeback by disrupting T1’s strategies in the draft. However, T1 proved to be more incisive and coordinated, swiftly overpowering their opponents. The finale lacked significant twists and turns, but the true essence of the victory lay elsewhere.
After experiencing setbacks in recent years, including two final losses and a semifinal exit, Faker’s triumphant return to the throne at the age of 27 is a testament to his resilience. Overcoming a right wrist injury in July, Faker has proven that he is stronger than ever and has silenced rumors of retirement. In a post-match interview, he expressed his desire to continue improving and growing as a player.
A Successful Training Strategy
This fourth championship title is a remarkable achievement for T1, the world’s most popular esports club, which was fervently supported by the fans in the stadium. It is the result of long-term planning, as the team management decided to surround Faker with talented rookies, including three from their training center, and provide them with the necessary time to develop. The reward came in the form of Min-hyeong “Gumayusi” Lee and others stepping up to deliver a memorable victory.
The remarkable progress made by this “miracle generation” will be etched in the memories of League of Legends fans for years to come. As Faker prophesied before the match, “The third title was for me. This fourth title will be for my teammates.” Deep down, did the captain anticipate that this triumph would mark the end of an era for this quintet, who have achieved their goal and will now attract attention in the transfer window? Perhaps. But what a glorious dance it was…
One Response
“Incredible feat! T1 and Faker have solidified their legendary status in the gaming world by clinching their fourth Worlds Championship title on home soil. A remarkable achievement for the team, showcasing their unparalleled skills and dominance. Truly historic!”