LoL: T1 and Zeus, Worlds without each other for the first time in years

This marks the first time Choi "Zeus" Woo-je will compete at the League of Legends World Championship without T1. Having joined the organization in 2020 and been promoted to the main roster in 2022, the toplaner made an immediate impact—winning the Spring Split, reaching the MSI final, and finishing runners-up at both Summer and Worlds. His rookie year was phenomenal, and the years that followed were just as dominant.

Before the formation of the famed ZOFGK roster—comprising Zeus, Mun "Oner" Hyeon-jun, Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyeong, and Ryu "Keria" Min-seok—T1 went through a long period of struggle and inconsistency, marked by repeated failures. The arrival of this quintet defined the competitive landscape for years: two LCK finals in 2023, a podium finish at MSI, and a Worlds victory.

In 2024, the team remained at the top with another Spring final, podium finishes at MSI and Summer, culminating in another Worlds title. This roster spent three remarkable years together and was expected to continue for a fourth—if not for the drama between Zeus, his agency, and T1. The toplaner has since joined Hanwha Life Esports, while T1 brought in Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon.

After three Worlds finals appearances with T1, including 2023 where he earned Finals MVP, Zeus will make his fourth Worlds run with HLE in a stacked roster. The team features Han "Peanut" Wang-ho in his final season, two former world champion carries in Kim "Zeka" Geon-woo and Park "Viper" Do-hyeon, and one of the game's top supports, Yoo "Delight" Hwan-joong. Zeus’ mission: to prove he can perform beyond the T1 banner.

The same goes for T1, who must now prove that this new generation can win without their legendary toplaner. Oner, Keria, and Gumayusi remain to support their mentor Faker, and while their new toplaner has never lifted a Summoner’s Cup, Doran is no stranger to success. A four-time Korean champion, he will make his fifth Worlds appearance and must hold his lane against Kang "TheShy" Seung-lok and Invictus Gaming in the Play-In to reach the Main Stage. His challenge: show that T1 was not built on Zeus alone and that he, too, ranks among the world’s best tops, proudly carrying the heaviest jersey in esports, T1’s.