One of T1’s strengths at T1 in Worlds 2023 is possessing the most exceptional bot lane in the League of LoL scene today. While at JD Gaming, Ruler remains the most prominent name, with Missing somewhat overshadowed, T1 is different. Gumayusi and Keria are a duo that must be mentioned together, as one thrives even more when the other is in form. In fact, many have suggested that if anyone wants to recruit one of the two, they would need to pay extra to recruit the other as well.
In the recent matches against Bilibili Gaming and LNG Esports, both Gumayusi and Keria had shining moments that secured victories for their team. Notably, T1’s support player showcased “unconventional” champions like Tahm Kench, Ashe, and Renata, brilliantly contributing to victories from laning phase to team fights. Remarkably, Keria’s mobility is very familiar: it is linked to T1’s undefeated phase that lasted from Spring 2022 to Spring 2023. In the finals, for various reasons, Keria could not fully unleash his potential.
Recently, a statistic about Keria has surprised the professional community and clearly reflects the powerful phase of T1. Specifically, by the end of the Quarterfinals, Keria holds the highest KDA among all players still in contention or already eliminated, with a KDA of 10 (5/7/65). Right behind him is his teammate Gumayusi with a KDA of 9.29 (33/7/32).
For those who may not know, the dominance of Keria and Gumayusi in KDA was first announced at Worlds 2021. In their first time teaming up at an international tournament, Gumayusi and Keria achieved nearly perfect KDA stats (Gumayusi 30 – Keria 36). That year, if it weren’t for DWG KIA’s overwhelming strength, and Canyon’s exceptional play, perhaps it would have been T1, not DK, reaching the finals.
This year, there will be no Korean representatives standing in T1’s way. But ahead lies the formidable JDG. That may be the biggest challenge T1 faces on their journey to claim the title at this Worlds.