Faker: "Age Is Not a Barrier for Esports Players", T1 Set Sights on Worlds 2026

After winning the gold medal with the South Korean national team at ASIAD 2026, Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok) has stated that age is not a barrier to an esports player's career. T1's mid laner has also set his next target: Worlds 2026 (CKTG 2026). At ASIAD 2026, Faker played for the South Korean national team alongside Zeus and Keria, winning the gold medal. It is a national-team title, distinct from the club-level tournament system run by Riot Games. Speaking after the event, Faker argued that modern esports has changed considerably, as the average career length of players has been increasingly extended. He cited Knee, a Tekken competitor still competing internationally past the age of 40, as evidence for his view. However, Faker's 2026 season has not been entirely smooth. He was not always stable in form and was repeatedly targeted by opponents. In addition, the wrist issue remains a concern for the player born on May 7, 2026. Faker currently holds a long-term contract with T1. He said his goal is not merely to keep playing, but to maintain top-level competitiveness. For T1, Worlds 2026 is the next major objective. The team enters the tournament as the reigning champion and must defend its position under pressure from rivals. Analysts say Faker's wrist injury and form are the two most important variables for T1. Meanwhile, the age question will likely be answered only by the actual results at Worlds 2026.