Lee Sang-hyeok, a professional League of Legends player known by the nickname “Faker”, has received the highest sports honor in South Korea.
At HCL, we don’t usually report on the successes of esports, but it’s not every day that the president of a country honors a gamer with the highest medal anyone can receive for their achievements in sports.
This happened this week to the famous League of Legends player, Lee Sang-hyeok, who we know by the nickname “Faker“. The six-time world champion in LoL and the most trophy player in the history of the game, received from the president of South Korea medal for special sports meritsthe highest honor an athlete can receive in South Korea.
Sang-hyeok thus became the first gamer / esports player to receive this distinction.
“It is a great honor for me to receive the award representing the Republic of Korea. However, I would not be able to stand here without my teammates and colleagues who stood by me. This would not be possible without the support of the fans who are always there to give me strength. I will continue to work hard at all times, both in and out of competition, so that I can spread positive messages and help raise the profile of Korean esports.” – said Sang-hyeok on the occasion of the award.
“Faker” you has been present on the esports scene for more than a decadewhich is a special success in itself. During his career in professional gaming, he became a cultural symbol of his country and a global icon of esports.