In the morning of October 30 (Vietnam time), T1 successfully defeated JD Gaming (JDG) in the semifinals of the World Championship (CKTG) 2022. This was a completely convincing victory, especially as JDG had also showcased their full potential. Not only did they secure a spot in the semifinals, but the performance of Faker and his teammates also sent a message: T1 came to the CKTG 2022 to claim the championship and they will fight to achieve that.
Ahead of T1 is one final journey named “the Final.” This will be the most important match of the season for Faker and his teammates. However, if they can win the 2022 World Championship, this will be the title that holds the most meaning for the history of the tournament and for the T1 players themselves.
Faker’s Fourth Championship
In the 2017 World Championship, almost everyone was certain about Faker’s fourth title, but in the end, the champions were Samsung Galaxy (SSG). This not only ended SKT T1’s reign but also marked a decline in Faker’s performance. Since that 2017 final, Faker has not set foot in the finals of another World Championship.
But after the victory over JDG, Faker and his teammates have reached the finals of a World Championship after five years. Half a decade has passed with many changes, but Faker’s determination remains burning. And the fourth championship trophy will further solidify the greatness of the legend Faker in the world of League of Legends (LoL) in particular and global Esports in general.
The First Title for the Young Stars and Coach Bengi
Bengi has been a legendary player with three World Championship titles and numerous other major honors in his competitive career. However, CKTG 2022 marks the first time the former SKT T1 star appears as a coach (HLV). If he can win the 2022 World Championship this time, Bengi will be the first in the history of LoL to win the World Championship in both capacities: player and coach.
For T1’s young stars, if they win the 2022 World Championship, they will officially usher in their own new era. For Zeus, this championship will hold even more significance as it is also his first World Championship appearance in his career, being born in 2003. Moreover, in the current lineup, Zeus is the official Top Laner. He certainly wants his first World Championship to end in the most perfect way.
T1 Has Defeated Champions on Their Journey in CKTG 2022
In the quarterfinals of CKTG 2022, DRX was the team that sent the defending champions of the 2021 World Championship – EDward Gaming (EDG) home after a thrilling best-of-five series. However, in reality, if they can face and overcome Gen.G Esports (Gen.G) in the finals of CKTG 2022, T1 will be the team that has surpassed all champions to ascend in this tournament. Although Gen.G missed their chance, this will still be a perfect and convincing championship for T1 at the CKTG.
Specifically, in the Group Stage, T1 defeated EDG – the 2021 World Champions both home and away. Next, in the quarterfinals, their defeated opponent was Royal Never Give Up – the 2022 Spring LPL Champions and the current MSI Champions. In the semifinals on the morning of October 30 (Vietnam time), JDG – the 2022 Summer LPL Champions also faced defeat against T1.
Ending the Dominance of LPL
From the 2018 World Championship to now, LPL has almost always dominated the biggest international tournaments in the League of Legends scene. Only in the 2020 season did Damwon Gaming excel to win against Suning to take the title. However, for many LPL fans, that was not too serious since no one could have predicted that SN would make such a miraculous run.
T1’s victory over JDG also “sent off” the last hope of LPL out of the CKTG 2022. Earlier, T1 had also defeated RNG in the quarterfinals and EDG in the Group Stage. These victories will further signify the end of LPL’s dominance if T1 takes the throne after the most important final of the season.
Conclusion
At this moment, it cannot be certain that T1 will ascend at CKTG 2022 even though their performance has been very convincing. The journey ahead still has one extremely important leg. Faker and his teammates will have to give their all in every match to conclude T1’s CKTG 2022 in the most perfect way.