‘Faker’ Lee Sang-hyeok (27, T1), who won the gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, said, “I couldn’t participate, but I am very proud that we won the gold medal as a team.”
The Korean League of Legends ( LoL ) national team recorded a set score of 2-0 against Taiwan in the ‘Esports LoL Finals’ held at the Hangzhou eSports Center in China on the 29th and won the gold medal.
Korean e-sports won the first competition that became an official sport, but global superstar Lee Sang-hyeok, who was a member of the national team, was unable to stand at the center of the stage.
Lee Sang-hyeok, whose position was mid laner, only played one set in the group match against Kazakhstan, and later gave up his starting position to ‘Chovy’ Jeong Ji-hoon (22, Gen.G). The finals were also completed by Jeong Ji-hoon and other teammates.
It is reported that Lee Sang-hyuk was unable to play in the game due to health problems. After the national team played the semifinals, Lee Sang-hyuk said, “I had a hard time with a cold and body aches.”
Regarding the fans who wanted Lee Sang-hyuk to participate, coach 스포츠토토Kim Jeong-gyun said, “The goal is the gold medal. “We don’t pay any attention to external factors (such as the fans’ wishes),” he said, emphasizing that the selection was made strictly based on ‘skill’.
Lee Sang-hyeok, who won the gold medal, said in the joint coverage area (mixed zone), “It would have been best if I had participated (in the finals) and won, but it means a lot to the team that they have the power to win even if I don’t play.” “I think Cho B was very good, so we won without giving up a single set. Regarding the selection, I think the coach has proven himself well,” he said.
When a reporter asked, ‘What did you say to your teammates before the game?’ Lee Sang-hyuk said, “They were so good that they didn’t need my advice, so I just gave them words of support.” He added, “We won because there were teammates who were all good even if I didn’t contribute much. “I think I did it,” he said.
Lee Sang-hyeok said, “It is very meaningful that it was adopted as an official event and that the gold medal was left in Korea’s name in the first step,” and added, “If I have the opportunity at the next Asian Games in three years, I definitely want to go out and have a good experience.” emphasized.
Regarding fans calling him ‘Online Messi’, comparing him to soccer player Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Lee Sang-hyuk said, “I am very grateful that many people call me that because I have achieved some achievements so far. “I feel like I have to work harder,” he said.
Jeong Ji-hoon, who contributed to winning the gold medal by performing well as a starting player in place of Sang-hyuk Lee, said, “I wanted to do better because I felt very sorry not only for myself but also for the other midfielder (Sang-hyuk Lee) if I failed to play as a starting player.”
