- Many League of Legends esports fans expected the all-Korean LCK winter Worlds 2022 final
- Deft finally achieved his lifelong dream, and won his first-ever world championship with DRX.
- T1 dominated game one with Faker leading the way on his signature champion
SAN FRANCISCO —Saturday, the South Korean team DRX was declared the League of Legends world champions after defeating fellow countrymen T1 3-2 in the exciting final of the eSports event in San Francisco.
T1, the most successful team in the history of eSports, began the competition as the favorite and gained the lead in the first round.
The 19-year-old Kim “Zeka” Geon-woo, though, led DRX to victory following a series of upsets.
Their victory, the team’s first, was eagerly anticipated by the skilled 26-year-old Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu, who began competing in 2014 but had never advanced past the quarterfinals prior to 2014, also the year he began competing.
Prior to this year, no “old” player had ever won the world championships.
The championship game took played at the Chase Center in San Francisco, the home of the Golden State Warriors of the NBA.
The League of Legends World Championship is among the most prominent eSports competitions.
DRX are your 2022 World Champions! They defeated T1 3-2 in a grueling series that lasted the distance.
Faker on Azir, his hallmark champion, led T1 to victory in the first game. Choi “Zeus” Woo-je was likewise enjoying himself on the comfort champion Yone, whereas Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong poked on Varus. A week ago, these three champions were instrumental in helping them defeat JD Gaming in the playoffs.
In game two, DRX drafted Heimerdinger support for Cho “BeryL” Geon-hee a second time and continued to boost mid laner Kim “Zeka” Geon-woo on Sylas. The essential distinction was that they were on the blue side, allowing them to select Varus first. T1 replied with support with Ashe and Lux to match his range at bot.
Both teams maintained a competitive stance, with T1 acquiring the Ocean Dragon Soul. At the 45-minute mark, they initiated Baron, but DRX’s approach to the 4v4 was so shrewd — Hwang “Kingen” Seong-Camille hoon’s came in from the top side, while Hong “Pyosik” Chang-Viego hyeon’s pinched from the other.
BeryL’s personal achievements are also notable. He made it to the Worlds finals over the last three years in 2020, 2021, and 2022, and won twice on two separate teams, DAMWON Gaming, and now DRX.
It marks the first time in the history of League of Legends esports that a Play-In team has won the championship. Past winners started their journey at the Group Stage.
