Only a short time remains until the 2022 World Championship (Worlds 2022) officially kicks off. At this point, most of the tickets to the biggest international event in the League of Legends (LoL) community have been confirmed. And this time at Worlds, many interesting things have been discovered by the LoL community. One of them relates to the age of the participating players.
When mentioning veteran players, the name Faker is likely to pop up in the minds of most LoL fans. Currently, Faker is 26 years old (born in 1996). This age can be considered “veteran” in the realm of esports in general and LoL in particular. However, at this 2022 Worlds, there are players who are even older than Faker. The careers of these names are also an inseparable part of the history of the birth and development of LoL.
Evi – DetonatioN FocusMe (DFM)
The Japanese superstar is a name that always brings excitement and intrigue to LoL audiences. His expressions before, during, and after each match with DFM always attract everyone’s attention. This has also become a characteristic of Evi. To the point that in almost all of DFM’s matches, the cameras always focus on Evi to catch his special expressions.
Additionally, Evi is known as a passionate player for the Japanese LoL scene. He has even spent his own money to develop the league, creating opportunities for young players from LJL to step into the spotlight. Evi was born in 1995 and remains the number one pillar of DFM, both in the domestic league and at this Worlds.
Jankos – G2 Esports (G2)
The leader of the “Circus” G2 is none other than the jungler Jankos. In the 2022 season, Jankos has truly regained the form that helped him and G2 reach the finals of Worlds 2019. Although he still maintains his “comic” persona on social media, it can be said that G2’s participation in MSI 2022 and their early qualification for Worlds 2022 is largely due to Jankos’s contributions.
The same age as Evi, Jankos has also entered the “veteran” category of the LoL scene. However, Jankos has not yet expressed any intention to retire. Therefore, not only for this time at Worlds 2022, but G2 fans have reason to believe that Jankos will lead G2 for at least the upcoming 2023 season as well. And with Jankos, every performance from both himself and the G2 team holds potential surprises for both opponents and fans.
Hylissang – Fnatic (FNC)
Always known as one of the top Support players ever produced by the LEC, Hylissang is also famous for his inconsistent performance. This player can be a superstar in one game, but turn into a “super troll” in the next. However, as long as he plays at his best, Hylissang can greatly influence the outcome of the game.
In the 2022 season, Hylissang is also 27 years old (also born in 1995). He and FNC have gone through a tumultuous Summer 2022. Coming up, Hylissang still has a chance to compete for the title with his teammates. More importantly, many FNC and LEC fans hope that Hylissang will be able to maintain the necessary focus for the upcoming Worlds 2022.
Impact – Evil Geniuses (EG)
There is also a name from the LCK like Faker, but he gained fame with a team halfway around the world. That is player Impact. In fact, he was even a teammate and senior of Faker when both played for SKT T1. It can be said that LCK is where Impact emerged into the spotlight with the 2013 Worlds championship. But it is the LCS where Impact truly became a legend.
As a “frequent guest” at Worlds, this time Impact returns with EG. His responsibility is to do his utmost to bring glory to the North American region. The task is incredibly difficult, but certainly, the former SKT T1 star will always strive to do his best as he has throughout his tumultuous career.
Jensen – Cloud9 (C9)
The final noteworthy name among the “veterans” older than Faker is Jensen – the star of C9. Jensen’s career has been a series of stories that have consumed much ink from the press and attracted community discussions. However, one truth remains: Jensen has always been a cornerstone of every team he has played for. Currently, he is the leader of C9 at this Worlds 2022.
Except for the time he had to face sanctions from Riot, since 2015 until now, Jensen has never missed a single Worlds season. At this 2022 Worlds, Jensen is the oldest mid-laner still competing. He may not reach the championship, but surely, fans can expect impressive performances from this “veteran” player.
Conclusion
In addition to the names mentioned above, there are also Odoamne (Top Lane of Rogue), Mission (CTBC Flying Oyster)… who are also older players than Faker. While they may have varied results, they will certainly always deliver the highest level performances for audiences at this Worlds.