Faker now owns two Asian Games gold medals. On October 2, 2026, South Korea swept Chinese Taipei 3-0 in the League of Legends final at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, held at Aichi Sky Expo in Japan, winning back-to-back gold without dropping a single map all tournament.
Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok adds Aichi-Nagoya 2026 gold to his Hangzhou 2022 gold and his 2018 silver from the demonstration event, making him the first esports athlete to compete at three Asian Games. Here’s how the run went, what it means for military service, and why it all lands right before Worlds 2026 in the USA.
How South Korea won gold at Aichi-Nagoya 2026
Korea came in as the favorite and never gave up a map:
- Group stage: wins over Chinese Taipei, India and Hong Kong. All three games took just 66 minutes combined; the India game lasted 18.
- Semifinal: 2-0 over Saudi Arabia.
- Final (October 2): 3-0 over Chinese Taipei, a rematch from groups.
It’s Korea’s second straight League of Legends gold after Hangzhou 2022 (played in 2023). After the final, Keria said he was glad Korea keeps being called the strongest nation.
South Korea’s 2026 Asian Games roster
| Role | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Zeus (Choi Woo-je) | Hanwha Life Esports |
| Jungle | Canyon (Kim Geon-bu) | Gen.G |
| Mid | Zeka (Kim Geon-woo) | Hanwha Life Esports |
| Mid / captain | Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok) | T1 |
| ADC | Gumayusi (Lee Min-hyeong) | Hanwha Life Esports |
| Support | Keria (Ryu Min-seok) | T1 |
| Head coach | Hirai (Kang Dong-hoon) | — |
Faker’s role: captain and unofficial assistant coach
Just like in 2022, Faker barely played: he took the stage only in the group game against India, while Zeka started the semifinal and final. His impact off the stage was huge, though. Zeka said Faker gave him a lot of advice on champion matchups and item builds, and several outlets described him as an unofficial assistant coach.
Faker admitted he would have liked to play more, but said winning together as a team was what mattered. At 30, he’s still the leader of the Korean squad on and off the Rift.
Does Faker have to do military service?
No. In South Korea, an Asian Games gold medal exempts athletes from roughly 18 months of mandatory military service. Faker earned that exemption with his Hangzhou 2022 gold, and this second gold simply confirms it: he can keep competing for T1 without a break.
The players who earn a new exemption with this title are Canyon, Zeka and Gumayusi. Zeus, Keria and Faker already had it from 2022.
Next up: Worlds 2026 in the USA
There’s no time to rest. Worlds 2026 starts October 15 with the Play-In, and the grand final is November 14 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. T1, with Faker and Keria fresh off gold in Japan, is chasing something no team has ever done: four World Championships in a row after winning in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
T1 jerseys to cheer at Worlds
If you’re watching Faker go for the four-peat, wear the jersey. Elo Boost Premium carries the T1 fan jersey line, shipped to the USA in about 7 to 10 business days:
- T1 Worlds 2026 Jersey: the new kit, USD 29.99 until October 15 (then USD 39.99). Faker, Doran, Oner, Peyz or Keria.
- T1 Worlds 2025 Jersey: the three-peat jersey.
- T1 Worlds 2024 Jacket: lightweight and hooded, great for going out or working out.
Korean sizing from XXS to 6XL (we recommend sizing up), 6 USD Premium Shipping with tracking, and checkout with PayPal or card. Browse the full shop and see delivery times on our shipping page.
FAQ
How many Asian Games gold medals does Faker have?
Two: Hangzhou 2022 and Aichi-Nagoya 2026. He also has a silver from 2018, when esports was a demonstration event.
Who won League of Legends gold at the 2026 Asian Games?
South Korea, beating Chinese Taipei 3-0 in the October 2, 2026 final without losing a single map all tournament.
Did Faker play in the final?
No. Zeka started at mid in the semifinal and final; Faker played the group game against India and captained the team.
Does Faker have to serve in the military?
No. He was exempted after winning gold at Hangzhou 2022. With the 2026 gold, Canyon, Zeka and Gumayusi are newly exempt.
When does Worlds 2026 start?
October 15, 2026. The final is November 14 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Sources: Korea JoongAng Daily, Tech Times, Hotspawn and Sheep Esports.
