Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, the legendary T1 mid laner and League of Legends GOAT, has once again secured his record of always reaching the top four at every World Championship he has attended following a quarter-finals win over Top Esports.
The Korean fourth seed secured their spot in the semi-finals with a convincing 3-0 victory against the LPL side, solidifying Faker’s impressive 9/9 top-four record.
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Faker’s GOAT Status and Legacy Through the Years
Faker’s early years saw his SK Telecom team establish the most dominant dynasty in the game’s history. With three world titles within four years, he quickly solidified his position as the greatest player in League of Legends history, accumulating a Summoner’s Cup haul that seemed unbeatable.
First Triple Crown (2013, 2015, 2016)
In 2013, Faker showcased his peak solo dominance, leading to changes in the game to emphasize teamwork over individual prowess. After missing Worlds in 2014, SKT bounced back in 2015 to reclaim the World Championship title. With Faker as the sole mid laner in 2016, they secured back-to-back victories, including a hard-fought 3-2 win over Samsung Galaxy in the finals.
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Tough Rebuilding Years (2017, 2019, 2021)
Following roster changes, Faker and SKT faced a seven-year drought in claiming another World Championship title. Despite this, Faker’s skill ensured they remained competitive. The most heartbreaking moment came in 2017 when a finals rematch against Samsung ended in a devastating 3-0 loss.
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In 2019, despite winning both LCK splits, SKT was convincingly beaten by the 2019 G2 roster. By 2021, now T1 with a new roster, they were bested by DWG KIA in the LCK finals and Worlds semi-finals.
The Second Dynasty? (2022, 2023, 2024)
Continuous roster tweaks led T1 to assemble the current lineup of Zeus, Oner, Faker, Gumayusi, and Keria. Despite domestic challenges, they aim to become the second dynasty in League of Legends history.
Following a defeat in 2022, T1 retained their roster for 2023 and regained the clutch factor to secure their first Worlds title in seven years. Building on their experience, they bounced back to rewrite the script at Worlds in 2023.
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2024 – 3rd/4th (At Least)
Despite being overshadowed by Gen.G domestically, T1 has shown growth at the World Championship. Their victory over Top Esports in the quarter-finals marks their ninth top-four finish in Faker’s career.
