A Step from Glory: Can DRX complete the dream run and win Worlds 2022
Doubters, step off
A month ago, few would think to bet on DRX as a finalist. Even fewer would have favored them over heavyweights such as EDG and Gen. G. And yet, here they still stand, a finalist opposite the final boss of League.
League of Legends Worlds 2022 has been a continuous tale for the underdogs- particularly for those battling under the blue and white of the DRX banner. Questioned and doubted at every turn of the Knockout Stage, DRX were expected to capsize against EDG, the defending Worlds champions. They reverse swept EDG, a feat that has occurred only once before in the 12-year history of the tournament.
Then, DRX faced the titans of Gen. G. The latter had held a record of 8-0 in official matches against them prior to the semifinals. Once more, DRX shook the world, as they took down tournament favorites Gen. G in 3-1 fashion.
Deft’s Last Dance
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With a career of nearly a decade, Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu has been chasing the shadow of Lee “Faker” San-hyeok for most of it. Hailing from the same hometown, the destined rivals have shared history that spans the age of League of Legends itself. “Deft” and “Faker” both began their careers 10 years ago, recently played their 100th competitive game against one another, and have known of one another since high school (were schoolmates).
Despite their shared history, “Faker” has come out on top with 65 wins over “Deft’s” 35 wins. Yet to win Worlds, “Deft,” now 26, is contemplating retirement after Worlds, the last accomplishment he has yet to add to his extensive resume.
In the press interview on the 4th of November, Deft admitted ‘[Faker and I] went to the same school and debuted in the same year. We started on the same starting line but then Faker was away ahead of me. There wasn’t a chance for me to catch up and close the gap, but this finals is a great opportunity for me to get my revenge on him.’
The next Faker?
“Deft” is not the only one with a stake in the game. Kim “Zeka” Geon-woo finally had his breakout performance this Worlds. Scouted by legendary coach “kkOma,” the person who ‘found’ Faker, there was a lot of pressure on the 19-year-olds’ shoulders to perform as the next prodigious mid lane talent.
For most of his career thus far, “Zeka” has struggled to be anything more than an average mid laner. However, handpicked by the same coach who saw something special in a young “Faker,” it goes without saying that “Zeka” always had the makings of a superstar. Now sitting at the fourth highest KDA of 6 and nearly double that of “Faker’s” 3.5 (according to GOL.gg), “Zeka” is heating up just in time for the match of his life against the Unkillable Demon King.
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In the press interview, he replied (on going against Faker in the finals): ‘This is my first Worlds and I made it my first ever Worlds finals. So, I was able to play under way less pressure and was pretty much free from it. So as long as I play as I normally do, even though my opponent will be Faker, I’m pretty confident I will do my best and will do well.'
The Worlds 2022 grand finals between DRX and T1 kicks off at 12.00am GMT | 5.00pm PT.
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Image credit: Fernando Decilis/Riot Games