The Beginning
I still remember the first time I played League of Legends. It was back in 2015, and a friend from school convinced me to try it out. I had played other games before, but there was something about League that immediately hooked me. The strategic depth, the champion variety, and the competitive nature of the game resonated with me in a way no other game had.
I started playing casually, just a few games after school. But soon, I was spending every free moment I had in Summoner's Rift. My parents were concerned at first, but they saw my passion and eventually supported my growing interest in the game.
Climbing the Ranks
Within six months of starting, I hit Diamond rank, which was a significant achievement for a new player. I mainly played top lane, focusing on champions like Fiora, Jax, and Camille. I loved the 1v1 nature of the lane and the ability to split push and create pressure across the map.
By the end of my first year playing, I reached Challenger rank and started to get noticed by amateur teams. I joined my first competitive team when I was 16, balancing school and practice. We competed in local tournaments, and while we weren't the best team, the experience was invaluable.
The Breakthrough
My big break came when Eclipse Esports, a team competing in the Challenger Series, offered me a spot on their roster. I was 17 at the time, and this was my first step into professional play. The schedule was demanding, with daily practice sessions and weekly matches.
We qualified for the promotion tournament at the end of the split, and in a nail-biting five-game series, we secured a spot in the main league. That moment, standing on stage after the final victory, was when I realized this could be my career.
Rising Through the Ranks
After a year with Eclipse, I received an offer from Phantom Gaming, a more established organization. The move meant better resources, coaching staff, and teammates. My game improved significantly under their structured environment.
We had moderate success, finishing in the top four in both splits I played with them. I was developing a reputation as one of the best top laners in the region, known for my aggressive playstyle and deep champion pool.
Team Nexus and World Championship
The turning point in my career came when Team Nexus approached me. They were rebuilding their roster and wanted me as their cornerstone. The offer was too good to refuse, and I joined them at the start of 2021.
The first year was about building synergy and establishing our playstyle. We finished third in both splits, which was respectable but not what we aimed for. The following year, everything clicked. We won both splits and qualified for the World Championship as the first seed from our region.
The World Championship was a dream come true. Competing against the best teams from around the globe, the pressure was immense. But we had prepared meticulously, studying our opponents and refining our strategies. We made it through the group stage, then the quarterfinals, and then defeated the tournament favorites in the semifinals.
The final was against T1, a legendary organization. It went to all five games, and in the decisive match, I had the performance of my life on Fiora, securing a pentakill in the final teamfight. When the enemy nexus exploded, and we stood up as world champions, it was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
Looking Back and Forward
Looking back on my journey, from playing in my bedroom to lifting the World Championship trophy, it feels surreal. There were countless hours of practice, moments of doubt, and obstacles to overcome. But the passion for the game and the drive to be the best kept me going.
To anyone aspiring to become a professional player, my advice is simple: dedicate yourself to improvement, be open to learning, and never lose sight of why you love the game. The path is challenging, but the rewards—both personal and professional—are worth it.
As for what's next, I'm focused on defending our title and continuing to evolve as a player. The meta changes, new champions are released, and the competition gets stronger. Staying at the top requires constant adaptation and growth. But that's what makes League of Legends such an incredible game and esports.