South Korean President honors Faker with nation’s highest class medal for athletes

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Okay, so I was watching the awards show, and it was a huge deal – Faker actually got the Blue Dragon Medal! It’s like, the biggest honor they can give to an athlete in South Korea, which is amazing. Seriously, it’s a massive achievement for him and for esports in general.

President Lee Jae Myung presented Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok with South Korea’s highest athletic honor, the Blue Dragon Medal. Faker made history as the first esports player to receive this prestigious award on January 2nd, 2026.

What is the Cheongnyong Medal?

As a gamer, I might not be an athlete, but I get why awards like the Order of Sports Merit are a huge deal in South Korea. It’s basically the highest honor they can give someone for being amazing at sports! It’s not just about winning, though – it’s about inspiring the whole country to get active and putting South Korea on the map through awesome performances in big competitions like the Olympics, Paralympics, and Asian Games. It’s a way of saying thanks to those who really excelled and made a difference.

This award has five levels: Girin (Qilin), Baegma (White Horse), Geosang (Giant Elephant), Maengho (Fierce Tiger), and the highest, Cheongnyong (Blue Dragon). According to Korean news reports, Faker received the top-level medal.

Faker receives the Cheongnyong Medal

Faker, the celebrated League of Legends player, received South Korea’s highest athletic honor, the Blue Dragon Medal, on January 2nd. This award recognizes his incredible career, including six League of Legends World Championships and a gold medal from the 2022 Asian Games. He’s the first esports athlete to ever be given this prestigious recognition.

In a video posted on X, Faker shared his thanks to his fans for their continued support, calling it a very meaningful day. He explained that he believes he received the honor because of them and their constant encouragement. He also expressed deep gratitude for the national recognition.

The mid laner promised his fans he’d continue to give his all as a pro gamer and live up to their expectations. He also said he wants to keep inspiring them with his positive attitude.

What this recognition means for esports

Though it might not appear huge to everyone, this award is a positive move for the world of esports. For years, people have argued about whether esports should even be considered a real sport, which has created uncertainty for the industry.

As a huge esports fan, it’s amazing to see how popular things like League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, and VALORANT have become – they really pull in the viewers! It’s not just about the games though; I think esports can actually be a big boost for cities and towns, bringing in tourism and money. When esports gets this kind of attention, it creates more chances for players to make a career out of it, and it also encourages more companies to invest in the scene, which is great for everyone.

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2026-01-02 17:41