Behind the Gold Medal: The Untold Stories of the LoL National Team
Victory at major tournaments often appears to be the result of seamless execution, but behind every gold medal lie details that never make it into official reports. Immediately following the finals and medal ceremony at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, we met with the South Korean League of Legends national team. Alongside the players, Head Coach Kang Dong-hoon, and strategic analysts, we uncovered the stories left off the record: from the hardships of bootcamp adaptation to the lighthearted moments shared during their stay in Busan.
Technical Hurdles and Adaptation
The journey to gold was not without its obstacles. One of the primary issues faced during practice in Japan was high latency. Head Coach Kang Dong-hoon noted that ping levels ranged between 48 and 50 ms, requiring significant adjustment. Furthermore, strict anti-doping regulations meant players had to be extremely cautious with their diet, a challenge Gumayusi identified as one of the most difficult aspects of the trip.
Technical difficulties also surfaced during the finals. Zeka described an issue where the desk began to sag during the deciding match, interfering with mouse movements. The issue was resolved on the spot when the coach used wet wipes to wedge between the desk parts to level them. Equipment restrictions also caused friction; both Gumayusi and Keria were prohibited from using their custom Razer mousepads due to oversized logos, forcing organizers to quickly provide standard alternatives.
Team Bonding and Life in Busan
Despite the intense schedule, the players found time to bond. Keria highlighted their accommodation in Busan, noting that it felt more like a comfortable home than a standard hotel. The team shared various experiences, from morning workouts to watching documentaries—including a film about fish that Faker selected—and enjoying late-night snack parties.
The preparation was also a massive collaborative effort. Kang Dong-hoon expressed gratitude to players from DK, BRION, and T1 Academy who stepped in to participate in scrims even while on vacation, ensuring the national team could practice on the specific Asian Games patch.
Looking Ahead: Rivalries and Worlds
Winning gold at the Asian Games is not just a conclusion, but a prelude to upcoming clashes at Worlds. The players were candid about their future targets. Zeka is focused on a rematch against Gen.G, Canyon seeks revenge against T1 following their 2024 defeat, and Keria jokingly suggested that a matchup against Hanwha Life Esports would make for a compelling narrative.
As the session concluded, the team admitted that after a diet of microwave rice and tuna in Japan, their true celebration was finally enjoying a yakiniku dinner.
Дурик
