Six-time League of Legends world champion Lee ‘Faker‘ Sang-hyeok has acquired the Cheongyeong Medal, South Korea’s highest sporting ornament, from the nation’s President Lee Jae-myung.
The T1 mid laner is the primary esports athlete to obtain this accolade, which highlights the achievements of the nation’s sporting athletes in worldwide competitions.
Faker formally acquired the award as a part of South Korea’s New Yr reception on January 2nd, 2026. The Cheongyeong Medal is South Korea’s highest accolade for sporting achievements, and is awarded to Olympic gold medalists and world champions from conventional sports activities.
South Korea’s Medal of Sports activities is cut up into 5 courses — Cheongyeong, Maengho, Geosang, Baekma, and Girin. Earlier recipients of the Cheongyeong Medal embrace skilled footballer Son Heung-min, baseball participant Park Chan-ho, and competitors climber Kim Jain.
Receiving the accolade has cemented Faker’s place as one among South Korea’s main figures within the esports trade. In 2025, he received his sixth League of Legends world title after defeating KT Rolster within the Grand Last. He additionally grew to become the primary participant to attain 1,000 kills in worldwide tournaments, including one other milestone to his illustrious profession.
Along with receiving the Cheongyeong Medal, Faker has received a number of awards over the previous 12 months. August 2025 noticed the T1 mid laner win the Esports PC Participant of the Decade accolade at the Esports Decade Awards ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Faker’s Continued Impression
Faker’s success in League of Legends esports has resulted within the participant securing collaborations with quite a lot of worldwide manufacturers. In late 2025, Faker joined forces with McDonald’s to advertise a limited-time menu merchandise that donates a portion of gross sales to charity.
Elsewhere, Razer launched a mouse mat designed in collaboration with Faker. Impressed by the Unkillable Demon King nickname, the white and gold design commemorated the participant’s fifth world championship win from 2024.
