T1 Mid Laner Faker Shares Insight on Being a Veteran and Overcoming Pressure at Worlds 2022
In a recent interview with Upcomer’s Warren Younger, Faker, a three-time League of Legends World Champion and longtime T1 mid laner, discussed his experience as a veteran player and how he deals with the pressure of being at the top for so long.
Faker’s last victory at Worlds was in 2016, where T1 emerged as champions after a 3-2 win over Samsung Galaxy in the grand finals. Despite this, the veteran mid laner now finds himself with a realistic chance of securing his fourth World Championship title, thanks in part to his ability to handle pressure.
According to Faker, he has learned to overcome pressure and now gets even more excited when faced with it. He plays off of positive and optimistic emotions, which allows him to perform at his best.
In 2021, T1 rebuilt its roster around Faker, focusing on developing rookie talent. As a result, Faker is now surrounded by younger players who have less experience. While his four teammates have played a combined 17 splits in the LCK, Faker himself has played 22 splits as a professional League player.
Being the veteran among the young talent on T1 has motivated Faker to address his own weaknesses and become an even better professional player.
Faker acknowledges that his teammates look up to him, especially because he is the captain of the team. This drives him to put in more effort and show a better version of himself, making sure to be available whenever they need his help.
After defeating Royal Never Give Up in the quarterfinals, Faker and T1 will face JD Gaming in the semifinals of Worlds 2022. While the semifinals have been a roadblock for Faker since 2019, he no longer fears the pressure that comes with these challenges. Only time will tell if this renewed mindset will lead him to his fourth World Championship title.
The semifinal matchup between JD Gaming and T1 will take place on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Statefarm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The winner will advance to the grand finals to face the winner of the other semifinal matchup between DRX and Gen.G.
Faker, T1, League of Legends, Worlds 2022, pressure, veteran, semifinals, championship title