Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok received the Cheongnyong Medal from South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. The Blue Dragon Medal is the highest tier of South Korea’s Order of Sports Merit.
Faker is the first esports athlete to receive this specific honor. The medal is reserved for athletes who achieve exceptional results on the world stage and elevate Korea’s global standing through sport.
The T1 mid-laner joins an elite group of recipients. Figure skating Olympic champion Kim Yuna received the medal after her gold medal performance at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Tottenham forward Son Heung-min earned it in 2022 following his World Cup performances and Premier League success.
Faker’s resume speaks for itself. The 28-year-old has won multiple League of Legends World Championships and MSI titles across a career spanning over a decade. He represented South Korea at the Asian Games and helped legitimize esports as a recognized competitive discipline in multi-sport events.
South Korea has long been an esports powerhouse with dedicated infrastructure and mainstream visibility for top players. The government recognition marks a shift in how esports fits into the country’s sporting identity.
