Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok has added yet another accolade to his already overflowing trophy cabinet, earning the prestigious PC Player of the Year award at the Esports Awards for the second consecutive year.
Widely regarded as the greatest League of Legends player of all time, Faker triumphed over notable esports stars such as Tyson “TenZ” Ngo, CS2 prodigy Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov, and his fellow mid-lane rival Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon.
With Faker unable to attend the ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, T1 CEO Joe Marsh accepted the award on his behalf. During his speech, Marsh reflected on the challenges he faced throughout 2023.
Among those trials was a sidelining injury during the 2023 LCK Summer Split, forcing Faker to take a break during a critical part of the season. T1 also struggled to find consistency in the 2024 LCK season, with one particularly emotional moment showing his visibly frustrated, headbutting a wall after a tough loss. Despite these hurdles, Faker’s resilience shone through, and Marsh concluded by sharing a heartfelt video message from the star himself.
In the video, Faker expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from fans over his decade-long career and reaffirmed his commitment to improving and performing at the highest level.
It’s been a monumental year for T1, as the organization claimed back-to-back League of Legends World Championship titles for only the second time in its storied history. Faker was instrumental in securing T1’s fifth Worlds trophy, displaying unmatched skill and leadership throughout the tournament. Despite the physical and mental challenges of the season, T1 rose above it all to lift the Summoner’s Cup once again.
Winning the PC Player of the Year award is no small feat, especially considering the stiff competition from global esports stars. While TenZ and m0NESY excelled in their respective scenes, it was Faker’s iconic rivalry with Chovy that added extra intensity to 2024, with both mid-laners pushing each other to new heights.
In the end, his dominance, resilience, and dedication to the game ensured his spot at the top, cementing his legacy as the true king of League of Legends.