Faker and T1 lift their Fourth Worlds title
League of Legends is the biggest esports title in the world. Currently, one team stands atop the League world, and it is T1. Today, 19th November, T1 and Lee “Faker” Sang -hyeok annihilated Weibo Gaming in the Worlds 2023 Grand finals, defeating them 3-0, to lift the Summoner's Cup.
Roads to Worlds 2023
Compared to their previous journeys, T1 had a tumultuous road to the Worlds 2023. During the Summer split, Faker’s injury forced him to take a break from competition. Without the veteran presence, T1 struggled in the regular season.
Faker’s return ahead of the Playoffs rejuvenated the team, but they weren’t the favorite. But as the Playoffs rolled around, T1 became their usual “Playoffs T1”. They placed second at the LCK 2023 Summer Playoffs.
The Worlds 2023 Playoffs
Coming into the Worlds 2023, T1 weren’t a top four team. In the Swiss Stage, T1 qualified for the playoffs after a 3-1 record, losing to their regional rivals in Gen.G. The same Gen.G was the LCK team of choice to make a deep run.
Come Playoffs though, the Chinese LPL dominated the LCK. After the quarterfinals dust settled, T1 was the only LCK team remaining in the competition surrounded by LPL teams. They had already defeated BLG in the Swiss round and LNG in the Quarterfinals, to win the Worlds 2023 title, Faker and co. had to defeat the remaining two Chinese representatives.
But what stood between Faker and the Grand finals was the best LPL team and a favorite to win in JD Gaming. JDG was a dominant force in the LPL and was considered the best team playing at the event. This did not stop T1 as they took down JDG in four games to qualify for the grand finals.
T1 Faker lifts his Fourth Summoner’s cup
At the Grand Finals, Faker and T1 had to face Weibo Gaming, the last and final LPL team. The stats favored T1 as they were yet to lose to an LPL team and they had just taken down the best in JDG.
As the game started, it was clear that T1 was winning the Worlds 2023 title, and they did. In front of their home crowd, T1 lifted the Summoner’s Cup defeating all the LPL teams.
The team that has been together for three years, they finally won their much-deserved Worlds title.
Choi “Zeus” Woo-je was named the finals MVP for his top lane dominance. But it was the complete squad, Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeon and Ryu “Keria” Min-Seok’s duo dominated the Bottom Lane, Moon “Oner” Hyeon-joon really shone in his role, but the star of the show has to be Faker.
In his 10th year of competition, Faker still continues to be as impactful as ever. With the fourth title, he breaks the record for most Worlds titles. As he himself said, “All roads do lead to him” and he reigns as the “Unkillable Demon King,”
Stay tuned on Strafe for an in-depth analysis on T1’s victory.
Featured Image Credits: Riot Games // LoL esports
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