Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok has officially been named PC Esports Player of the Decade at the Esports Awards’ tenth anniversary show. The T1 mid laner received the special honor recognizing ten years of dominance across PC esports titles.
The award was created specifically for the ceremony’s milestone edition. It celebrates sustained excellence and impact rather than just a single season’s performance. For anyone who’s followed League of Legends over the past decade, Faker’s win was about as surprising as a Yasuo player going 0/10 in your ranked games.
Faker kept his acceptance speech brief and focused. He thanked his supporters and promised to keep working hard. Fans summed up his message perfectly: “I’m not done yet.” Classic Faker—no flowery speeches, just pure determination.
The 27-year-old Korean superstar has built a resume that reads like fantasy fiction. Four World Championship titles, including the recent 2023 victory. Two MSI championships. More LCK titles than anyone can count without checking the wiki. He’s been at the top since 2013, when most current pro players were still learning what last-hitting meant.
His longevity sets him apart from every other candidate. While other legends have peaked and faded, Faker keeps showing up to major finals. He won his first Worlds in 2013 and his most recent in 2023—a full decade of staying relevant in a game that constantly evolves.
The Player of the Decade category considered achievements across all PC esports. Names like s1mple from Counter-Strike and N0tail from Dota 2 represent incredible careers in their own games. But Faker’s combination of titles, consistency, and global influence made him the clear choice.
MVP and co-owner
Beyond just playing, Faker became a co-owner of T1 in 2020. He’s the face of League of Legends worldwide, with endorsement deals and mainstream recognition that most esports players can only dream about. In South Korea, he’s practically royalty.
The timing feels perfect. Fresh off T1’s dominant Worlds 2023 run, where they dropped just two games the entire tournament, Faker proved he’s still the final boss of League. At 27, when many pros consider retirement, he’s collecting hardware and making younger players look lost on the Rift.
