Faker was awarded South Korea’s Top Athlete Award

Lee Sang-hyeok, aka Faker, has made history in South Korean sports. Considered a living legend in the League of Legends world, the star player was awarded the highest honor the country can bestow on an athlete, marking a historic first for esports, thanks to his years of achievements.

Faker Makes History with the Cheongnyong Medal

The Cheongnyong (Blue Dragon) Medal is known as the highest level of the Order of Sports Merit, awarded since 1973, and has mostly been given to Olympic champions and multiple world champions. Faker’s receiving this award clearly demonstrates that South Korea now considers esports to be on equal footing with traditional sports.

Behind this honor lies Faker’s almost flawless career. Six World Championship titles, Mid-Season Invitational successes, LCK dominance, and a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games have made him one of the most consistent figures not only in esports but also in modern sports history.

According to the scoring system used to award the medal, athletes need to surpass 1,500 points. Calculations show that Faker easily exceeds this threshold thanks to his World Championships, final and semi-final appearances, and Asian Games success. This demonstrates that the award is not symbolic, but entirely based on sporting achievement.

Having worn only the T1 jersey since 2013, Faker has extended his contract until 2029 and continues to compete at the highest level. Joining legendary figures in South Korean sports history such as Kim Yuna and Sohn Kee-chung in this honor roll, Faker is now considered a permanent part of not only esports but also the country’s sports culture.

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