Faker Becomes First Esports Player to Receive Korea’s Highest Athletic Honor

‘League of Legends’ star Lee Sang-hyeok, known as Faker, has made history as the first esports athlete to receive South Korea’s highest sporting honor.

The award signals a turning point, placing competitive gaming alongside traditional sports in national recognition for the first time ever.

President Lee Jae-myung personally presented Faker with the ‘Cheongryong Medal’ during a prestigious New Year’s reception at Cheong Wa Dae.

This top honor celebrates his years of sustained global excellence, which have significantly boosted the nation’s international prestige.

Since his 2013 debut, Faker has redefined success with 10 domestic titles and a record-breaking sixth world championship.

He also competed at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where he represented South Korea as a national athlete and won a prestigious gold medal.

The ‘Cheongryong Medal’ stands as the highest class of South Korea’s sports honors, previously awarded to icons like Son Heung-min and Kim Yuna.

Faker’s inclusion places esports within an elite lineage long dominated by football, skating, baseball, and golf at the highest national level officially.

This historic recognition celebrates Faker’s immense impact on global culture and national pride over his storied career.

As the ‘Unkillable Demon King,’ his legacy now transcends the digital arena, proving that professional gaming is a vital pillar of South Korea’s modern and vibrant sporting excellence.