The Last Chance for T1 at Worlds 2023
T1, one of the dominant forces in the League of Legends scene, is gearing up for the highly anticipated World Championship. However, it seems that this could be their last chance to shine as a team, according to one of their players.
A Challenging Summer Split
T1 had a challenging Summer Split, with their playoff chances hanging by a thread after their star player, Lee 'Faker' Sang-hyeok, sustained an arm injury. Thankfully, Faker returned just before the regular season concluded, leading T1 to a stunning performance in the Summer Finals, where they ultimately fell short against Gen.G.
Impressive Record in Worlds
Despite their recent setbacks, T1 holds an impressive record in the Worlds tournament. As an organization, they have secured multiple titles, including the 2013, 2015, and 2016 championships as SK Telecom T1. This year, there is an added significance to the tournament for T1, as they will be playing on their home turf in South Korea, having missed out on the 2014 and 2018 events.
A Chance for Redemption
For T1's bot laner, Lee 'Gumayusi' Min-hyeong, Worlds 2023 offers a chance for redemption after their heartbreaking loss in the previous year's tournament. However, in a surprising statement, Gumayusi hinted that this could be their last Worlds as a team. He revealed his desire to win the tournament alongside his teammates, especially Faker, who has never competed in a Worlds event on Korean soil.
While some fans might be taken aback by Gumayusi's comments, rumors have been circulating about potential changes within the T1 roster. The team's recent loss in the LCK title match against Gen.G has only added fuel to these speculations. With contracts set to expire for some players, including Gumayusi, top laner Choi 'Zeus' Woo-je, and support Ryu 'Keria' Min-seok, it remains uncertain whether T1 will stick together for the next season.
An Optimistic Outlook
Despite the uncertainties surrounding the team, Gumayusi remains optimistic about their chances at Worlds. He acknowledged their past runner-up finishes but firmly believes that T1 is more than capable of winning the tournament this year. With their strong performance in previous international events, including reaching the quarter-finals in 2021 and finishing as runners-up in 2022, Gumayusi believes it's their turn to claim the championship.
T1 will enter Worlds 2023 as one of the 14 teams skipping the Play-In Stage, starting their journey from the Swiss Stage, which kicks off on October 19. Their goals are clear: to redeem themselves for their previous near misses and bring home the coveted Worlds title. Only time will tell if T1 can fulfill their ambitions and cement their legacy as one of the greatest teams in League of Legends history.