Look Sports Media – League of Legends icon Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok is on the cusp of history, preparing for his eighth League of Legends World Championship (Worlds) final. The T1 midlaner, a name synonymous with the game, boasts a record five World titles, including the last two consecutive victories. Faker’s every move is scrutinized by LoL fans globally, a phenomenon that has fueled record-breaking viewership for T1 at this year’s Worlds. As no other player has ever reached this many finals, looksports.media takes a trip down memory lane, revisiting each of Faker’s previous seven Worlds final appearances before his highly anticipated clash against KT Rolster in 2025.
LoL Worlds 2013 – The Genesis of a Legend
2013 marked Faker’s rookie year. The then 17-year-old could scarcely have imagined that he would be heading into his eighth Worlds final as a seasoned 29-year-old veteran. The 2013 Worlds was the true beginning of the SKT T1 and Faker legacy as they crushed Royal Club and Jian "Uzi" Zi-Hao 3-0. Even then, Faker’s reputation was formidable, making him a prime target in the final. While he didn’t dominate statistically, he absorbed the pressure, enabling his teammates to secure the victory.
Related Post
LoL Worlds 2015 – Near Perfection
Following a lackluster 2014 dominated by Samsung White and Blue, SKT returned with renewed vigor in 2015. Despite a surprising loss to EDward Gaming in the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) final, where Faker’s undefeated LeBlanc was countered in Game 5, SKT was a force to be reckoned with at Worlds. They bulldozed through the tournament, not dropping a single game until the final. Ultimately, SKT triumphed over KOO Tigers 3-1, becoming the first team to claim two World titles.
LoL Worlds 2016 – Faker at His Zenith?
Many consider this period to be Faker’s peak. While the game has undoubtedly evolved, and his adaptation to the modern meta is equally impressive, Worlds 2016 was a showcase of his raw skill. The tournament itself is considered one of Riot Games’ finest. SKT’s semi-final victory against the ROX Tigers is still hailed as one of the greatest series in LoL history. With Jungler Han "Peanut" Wang-ho retiring after Worlds 2025, it’s a stark reminder that none of that legendary ROX roster ever achieved a World Championship. The final was equally dramatic, with SKT narrowly preventing Samsung Galaxy from completing a reverse sweep, ultimately winning 3-2. Even nine years ago, Faker was already being touted as the greatest of all time, having achieved more than most players could ever dream of: a three-time world champion and a back-to-back Worlds winner.
LoL Worlds 2017 – A Heartbreaking Defeat
Worlds 2017 was a rollercoaster of iconic moments for Faker, both triumphant and devastating. His Orianna ultimate against EDG in the Group Stages, turning a 10k gold deficit into a victory, remains a highlight. However, the final was a different story. This SKT iteration relied heavily on Faker, but even he couldn’t carry them to victory. Samsung Galaxy dominated, sweeping SKT 3-0. This marked SKT’s first-ever loss in a Worlds final, leaving Faker visibly heartbroken, captured in the now-famous image of him crying on stage. It was a full-circle moment for Kang "Ambition" Chan-yong, who, after being outplayed by Faker in 2013, transitioned to jungle and finally achieved his World Championship revenge.
LoL Worlds 2022 – Loss Creates a New Legend
Rebranded as T1, Faker returned to the Worlds final after a five-year absence, only to face a similar outcome. His loss paved the way for Kim "Deft" Hyuk-kyu, a long-time friend and rival, to achieve his own career-defining moment. The tournament and final are considered among the best in LoL history, with T1 pushing DRX to a nail-biting five-game series.
LoL Worlds 2023 – Faker Reborn
The same roster from the 2022 final finally broke the "T1 curse" and secured another title. This victory was especially sweet, as it was the first time T1 and Faker had won Worlds on home soil in South Korea. T1 went on a spectacular run through the Knockouts, defeating tournament favorites JD Gaming and stopping the LPL and MSI champions from completing the "golden road." T1 beat every LPL representative at the tournament, sweeping Weibo Gaming 3-0 in the final to allow Faker to lift his fourth Summoner’s Cup.
LoL Worlds 2024 – Silencing the Doubters
As his career progressed, some questioned whether Faker was still at his peak. T1 had a challenging year, barely qualifying for Worlds as LCK’s bottom seeds. However, Faker silenced the doubters with an unbelievable performance in the Worlds 2024 final against Top Esports (TES). He stepped up when it mattered most, making mind-boggling plays on Sylas and Galio to win the exciting final 3-2. Faker secured back-to-back Worlds titles for the second time, adding another incredible achievement to his already legendary career.
LoL Worlds 2025 – What Lies Ahead?
Now, Faker and T1 face KT Rolster in the Worlds 2025 final, with another opportunity to make history. Can Faker secure a third consecutive Worlds title, or will history repeat itself, creating another legendary story like Ambition’s or Deft’s? KT’s Gwak "Bdd" Bo-seong, like Ambition and Deft before him, has waited a long time for the chance to compete in a Worlds final.
Leave a Comment