Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok is the most famous LoL player in the world. He started his career in early 2013 with the Korean team SK Telecom T1, to which he remains loyal to this day. However, they recently surprisingly lost a duel against the currently worst team in the league. Faker then stated that he is struggling with an injury.
What kind of injury does he have? Faker said in a press conference that he has had problems with his arms lately. They are “in poor condition” and this has “great impacts”. However, the professional is already receiving treatment.
The LoL professional has reportedly been struggling with pain for about two weeks. During this time, T1 also lost a match against KT Rolster 0:2 and narrowly achieved a victory against NongShim REDFORCE, the team at the bottom of the standings, with 2:1. Faker did not look good against his opponent FIESTA in the mid lane.
It is unclear whether he will continue to play in the coming weeks or possibly take a break. T1 has two backup mid-laners on the team, who, however, have not convinced lately.
Arm injuries are not uncommon among LoL players:
- In 2019, the professional Jian “Uzi” Zi-Hao announced his retirement because he had “arms like a 50-year-old”.
- Since 2021, Heo “ShowMaker” Su has had to take a break due to wrist problems.
- In 2022, the top laner Heo “Huni” Seung-hoon ended his career in the middle of the season, also due to a wrist injury.
Learn more about Faker here:
“People forget that T1 has practically participated in every playoffs and international tournaments”
What has Faker achieved in the last 10 years? Since 2013, Faker has been continuously playing in the highest Korean league, with a short break in 2021. In addition, there are many international titles.
- His rapid rise began in 2013 when he unexpectedly won the World Championship with SK Telecom T1.
- In 2015 and 2016, they celebrated two more World Championships and are so far the only team to successfully defend their title.
- In 2017, they only came in second place, in 2019 they only made it to places 3/4, just like in 2021. Last year they again reached second place.
- Only in 2014, 2018, and 2020 did Faker miss the World Championship.
Besides the successes at the Worlds, T1 and Faker have also secured other titles, including two wins and two second places at the MSI, as well as nine league championships in Korea. The Korean league also has more games per season, as they always conduct a Best-of-Three in the regular competition.
How are the fans reacting to the injury? They are showing concern. After all, Faker, at 27, is already one of the oldest active LoL professionals and he has had few breaks throughout his career. User Jozoz writes on Reddit:
Unfortunately, this is not a surprise with such a long career and very few interruptions. People forget that T1 was practically involved in every playoff and an insane number of international tournaments. And Faker was practically there the whole time.
He had very few opportunities to take longer breaks. That eventually takes its toll.
However, user forestcandle24 is significantly more worried. Because Faker usually keeps private matters rather private, which is why the injury could be more serious:
Faker has such a professional attitude that he usually tries to keep such things to himself. The fact that he spoke publicly about it (and also the fact that it has persisted since the BRO game, which was almost 20 days ago) probably means that it has actually affected him. I really hope for optimistic results in the match next week, but whatever it is, I hope T1 can be transparent with the fans. I’m sure everyone cares more about Faker’s health than anything else.
However, there is good news for the professional Uzi, who retired in 2019 and made his comeback this year: LoL: Team brings in a discarded professional in need – But the old man (26) can still do it
