Despite getting older and stepping back to become a streamer, Uzi is still regarded as the world’s number one marksman and a respected predecessor in the eyes of the gaming community.
Recently, in an interview with South Korean media, T1’s marksman Gumayusi mentioned Uzi and confirmed that the former RNG player is his idol. When asked, “Is there any player you want to face at this year’s Worlds?” Gumayusi replied: “I’m not sure if there’s any specific player I want to face, as this is my first opportunity to participate in Worlds. But now that I’m a professional player, my goal is to be someone whose name creates a lot of pressure, like Uzi. At the same time, I aim to break the record for the most championships held by Bang in the marksman position.”
In his interview, Gumayusi proactively mentioned and highly evaluated the talent of the former RNG marksman. It is clear that although Uzi has been retired for quite a while, for professional players (especially marksmen), when asked about their idols, they often immediately think of Uzi as a given. He has made significant contributions to the global League of Legends scene in the past and even to this day.
Not only Gumayusi, but Viper has also “joined the house” by declaring himself a fan of Uzi. The young talent from EDG had a spectacular season, winning the LPL Summer Split and earning a chance to compete at this year’s Worlds. Indeed, Viper’s skill level and individual skills are quite impressive, if not described as “old beyond his years.” Unfortunately, since joining the LPL, he has yet to face the “King of Second Place” to gain more competitive experience.
Besides the two Korean marksmen, LNG’s marksman Light, who shares Uzi’s hometown, has also expressed that: “My goal in professional gaming is to have Uzi watch one of my matches live.” This alone shows the admiration Light holds for his idol.
If Faker is the number one mid-laner in the world, then Uzi is the number one marksman recognized by the gaming community. Although he may not have the unprecedented titles like Faker and hasn’t shared the legendary throne with him, his talent is something everyone must acknowledge. What Uzi still lacks is a title, a title to affirm his capabilities to the world.
However, no matter the circumstances, Uzi’s influence remains immense. It is evident that not only domestic players but also international players see him as a great role model they aspire to follow. We hope that young players like Gumayusi, Viper, and Light will give their all at this year’s Worlds, not just for their team colors but also for their idol. Their resilient fighting spirit and loyalty will ensure that the next generation will always remember Uzi as the “King of Second Place” in the League of Legends community.