The Chinese player Jian “Uzi” Zi-Hao is considered the best ADC that League of Legends has ever seen. However, at just 23 years old, Uzi had to end his professional career in LoL; his body couldn’t keep up. Now, at 26, he is planning his return to EDward Gaming, as rumors suggest. It would be his second attempt at a comeback.
Why did Uzi have to end his career so early?
- Uzi started playing professionally at the age of 15. He came directly from the solo queue to Royal Never Give Up and played with the team until May 2020.
- Uzi was known for his “mechanical brilliance” – he clicked faster and better than any other ADC. His reaction time was fantastic.
- However, his lifestyle apparently took a toll on him. By the age of 23, doctors confirmed he had the arms of a 50-year-old. He also suffered from diabetes.
- Uzi ended his career in 2020, at the age of 23.
This is the current state: As reported from China and confirmed by the CEO of Team WE, Uzi is currently negotiating his return to the Chinese professional league LPL with Team EDward Gaming, which finished second in the LPL Spring Season 2023. However, they failed in the LPL playoffs and finished third.
At EDward Gaming, ADC Leaver is under criticism after underperforming recently. EDward Gaming has already promoted “TheSnake” from the academy.
Uzi could face the currently best ADC in the world on Saturday
If the deal goes through and Uzi makes the starting lineup, his first game would likely be against Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk, the currently best ADC player in the world, who has just won the “MSI 2023” tournament with JDG Gaming. The first game would be on Saturday, June 10.
At EDG, Uzi would play alongside the strong supporter Meiko.
Will it work out? Nobody knows. Uzi returned a few years ago but couldn’t establish himself, failing against younger players and his own health. Ultimately, he only played 9 games for his new team before stepping back to stream.
At 26, Uzi is actually already too old for a LoL pro; few play into this age, and even fewer successfully return after a career break. The US star Bjergsen did not fully succeed in his comeback:
Hype around “EDG Uzi” is huge
Update, June 9, 10:32 AM: The signs are strengthening that Uzi is returning. Several social media posts indicate this. EDG itself and people close to him, like his wife, have made statements that could be understood as hints that Uzi’s return is imminent.
This is being observed and hotly debated on Reddit. Especially in China, this is a big deal.
