Legendary T1 midlane Lee ‘Faker‘ Sang-hyeok officially went down in history as the country’s greatest athlete at the national level. On January 2, 2026, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung presented the Cheongyong Medal to the cybersportsman. This is the first-ever precedent transfer of the highest sports award to a representative of the video game industry, which puts achievements in League of Legends on a par with Olympic gold.
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Cheonyong Medal status and sports hierarchy
The award belongs to the highest category of the National Order of Merit for Sports. The reward system in South Korea is strictly ranked and includes five steps:
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Cheonyong (Blue Dragon) — Top class;
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Mengho (Ferocious Tiger);
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Geosan (Great Mountain);
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Pakma (White Horse);
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Girin (Unicorn).
Before Faker, this recognition was given only to icons of traditional sports: soccer player Song Heung-min, baseball player Park Chan-ho and rock climber Kim Jain. Awarding the medal to an esports athlete confirms South Korea’s status as a global center of esports discipline, where victories at international tournaments are equated to state feats.
Faker’s records and achievements in 2025
The reason for such a high rating was the results of last season. In 2025, Lee Sang Hyuk won his sixth world title by defeating the KT Rolster team in the grand finals. This triumph consolidated T1’s dominance on the world stage. In addition to team wins, the player set a personal record by being the first in the world to break the 1,000 kill mark at official international tournaments.
Over the past 12 months, the professional community has also repeatedly noted the merits of midlainer.:
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Title “Player of the Decade in esports on PC” (Esports Decade Awards, Riyadh);
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Collaborations with global brands, including limited-edition menus at McDonald’s;
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The release of an exclusive Razer peripheral in the “Unkillable Demon King” design, dedicated to the five-time (at that time) championship.
The recognition from the president of the country sums up the player’s thirteen-year career. According to testing and media reports, Faker’s media influence in South Korea is now comparable to that of major pop stars, and his contribution to the economy through advertising contracts and tourism continues to grow. Based on this, receiving the Chongyeon medal looks like a logical step in integrating esports into the national cultural identity.
