T1 CEO confirms Gumayusi's return for LCK Spring after lineup shakeup
After a turbulent start to the year, T1 has officially announced the return of Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyeong to the starting lineup as AD carry for the 2025 LCK Spring Split.
The decision follows a disappointing performance in the LCK Cup, where the reigning world champions finished in sixth place — far below expectations after securing back-to-back Worlds titles.
The team's abrupt roster changes and lack of communication sparked criticism from fans and cast uncertainty over T1's direction heading into the new season.
In a post on X, T1 CEO Joe Marsh clarified the situation, stating that the choice to bench Gumayusi in favor of rookie Sin "Smash" Geum-jae was made by the coaching staff, who wanted to evaluate the rookie in a competitive setting.
Smash's strong showing during the tournament earned him the starting position throughout the LCK Cup, where he played 15 matches, including the elimination loss to Hanwha Life Esports. In contrast, Gumayusi featured in just five matches.
Hanwha Life Esports went on to dominate the tournament, winning both the LCK Cup and First Stand 2025 without losing a single series.
According to data from Oracle's Elixir, Smash posted a KDA of 7.5—the second-highest among all ADCs in the tournament, behind only Kim 'Aiming' Ha-ram. Despite Smash's impressive stats, Marsh confirmed that Gumayusi will reclaim the starting role for the upcoming Spring Split, though both players will continue to compete for the spot in practice.
The final call will rest with the coaching staff and be based on ongoing performance.
Marsh also revealed that he personally asked the coaching staff to give Gumayusi a chance to prove himself again, expressing full confidence in his ability to reclaim his reputation as the best bot laner in the world.
Initially, T1 had aimed to retain its full Worlds-winning roster for 2025. However, the departure of top laner Choi "Zeus" Woo-je to Hanwha Life forced the organization to sign Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon as a replacement.
Gumayusi's temporary removal from the lineup only deepened fan concerns, particularly over the decision to field a rookie in such a high-pressure role.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Saudi Gazette
Four arrested over India cricket stadium crush
BENGALURU — Police in India have arrested at least four people in connection with the fatal crowd crush that took place in the southern city of Bengaluru earlier this week. On Wednesday, 11 people were killed when tens of thousands gathered outside a cricket stadium to celebrate the cricket league Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) historic Indian Premier League (IPL) victory. Those arrested include personnel of RCB and the event management company which organised the celebrations. Five senior police officers, including the city's police chief, have been suspended for "negligence and irresponsibility" by the government. A police official told BBC Hindi that more arrests are expected as the investigation continues. According to police, the people arrested were responsible for posting about the victory parade - from the state legislature building to the Chinnaswamy Stadium - on RCB's social media handles and website. On Thursday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that a police complaint had been filed and legal action taken against the franchise, the event management company, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association. More than 200,000 people reportedly turned up for the parade, although police had anticipated only half that number. The stadium, where the celebrations were held, has a capacity of 32,000 and was overwhelmed long before the team arrived. The Karnataka High Court has also ordered a status report on the incident. Separately, India cricket coach Gautam Gambhir has criticised the decision to host the victory parade and said his "heart goes out" to those affected. "If we are not ready to hold a road show we should not have done that," former India batter and IPL-winning captain Gambhir said. On Thursday, RCB said they would give 1,000,000 rupees (£9,000) to the families of those killed. "We need to be responsible. We need to be responsible citizens and responsible in every aspect, because every life cannot at any point in time lose 11 people. We can be more responsible," Gambhir added. — BBC
Leaders
4 days ago
- Leaders
Emmy-Winning Director R.J. Cutler's Docuseries Esports World Cup: Level Up Premieres on June 6
Prime Video, one of the leading entertainment destinations, will premiere the five-part documentary Esports World Cup: Level Up on June 6, with new episodes released weekly. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker R.J. Cutler ( Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry , Elton John: Never Too Late and Martha ), the series goes behind-the-scenes of the inaugural Esports World Cup (EWC) in 2024 — a defining moment in global esports, where over $60 million in prize money ignited a high-stakes, multinational battle to crown the world's top esports Club. The series is produced by This Machine (a part of Sony Pictures Television), with R.J. Cutler directing, John Dorsey serving as showrunner, and Jane Cha Cutler, Trevor Smith, Elise Pearlstein and Mark Blatty executive producing. Level Up will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Esports World Cup: Level Up offers a rare look inside a global competition that's redefining what it means to be a champion for a new generation of athletes and fans. R.J. Cutler and his team of expert storytellers embedded themselves within the eight-week tournament – watched by over 500 million fans globally – to uncover the personal sacrifices, rivalries and stakes driving the action. Shot in verité style, the series combines intimate home visits from around the world and on-the-ground coverage from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It follows a wide cast of characters – from Club CEOs orchestrating million-dollar strategies to rising stars chasing life-changing wins – while capturing the pulse of elite esports competition. 'What drew me to the Esports World Cup was the compelling human stories unfolding within this high-stakes arena,' said Cutler. ' Level Up isn't just about the incredible competition and prize money; it's about the dedication, the passion, and the sheer will of these athletes and teams pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Under high pressure, we discover the true character of the competitors who vie for $60 million, but who also expose their humanity in the process.' At the heart of Level Up is the 'EWC Club Championship,' an unprecedented, multi-title tournament format where Clubs compete across more than 20 games, earning points toward a single leaderboard. Every match, every point, reshapes the race for global dominance. With the highest prize pool in esports history on the line, the EWC is not just a tournament – it's a proving ground for the next generation of sports icons. 'A win might make the headlines — but the real story is the people behind it,' said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. ' Level Up dives into the human side of esports: the pressure, the ambition, the sacrifices. It's about what it really takes to compete at the highest level — and why it matters. R.J. is the best at bringing those stories to life, and this one captures the heart of what we're building.' Standout stories from the series include: Soka (Team Falcons) , hailing from the rough streets of Oakland, is the smack-talking extrovert who flips the script on the gamer-loner stereotype. He taunts his rivals, rallies his team and calls his shot, but his bravado masks the struggles overcome from his childhood. , hailing from the rough streets of Oakland, is the smack-talking extrovert who flips the script on the gamer-loner stereotype. He taunts his rivals, rallies his team and calls his shot, but his bravado masks the struggles overcome from his childhood. FAKER (T1) , whose celebrity in South Korea rivals that of the most popular K-pop bands, must compete with his own legend and the isolation that comes from his own mystique. There's greatness and then there are legends. Jordan, Tiger, Messi. In esports, it's FAKER. , whose celebrity in South Korea rivals that of the most popular K-pop bands, must compete with his own legend and the isolation that comes from his own mystique. There's greatness and then there are legends. Jordan, Tiger, Messi. In esports, it's FAKER. Sanford (Team Liquid) , the 19-year-old gaming prodigy from the Philippines, sees his life change after his father suffers a stroke, leaving him as the primary breadwinner for his family. Despite his young age, the stakes couldn't be higher, making his journey in esports about more than just winning titles. , the 19-year-old gaming prodigy from the Philippines, sees his life change after his father suffers a stroke, leaving him as the primary breadwinner for his family. Despite his young age, the stakes couldn't be higher, making his journey in esports about more than just winning titles. Drazah (Atlanta FaZe) , raised by his single mom with his seven brothers and sisters, heads back to his humble origins to explain how a pro gamer emerged from a rickety shed in North Pole, Alaska to the biggest stage in esports. , raised by his single mom with his seven brothers and sisters, heads back to his humble origins to explain how a pro gamer emerged from a rickety shed in North Pole, Alaska to the biggest stage in esports. Chel & Cinny (Team Vitality) , sisters from a remote corner of Indonesia, are leading the most dominant women's team in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang history. They've won every tournament since their team entered the scene in 2021, but their beloved grandfather dies the day they arrive in Riyadh, putting their tournament in jeopardy. , sisters from a remote corner of Indonesia, are leading the most dominant women's team in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang history. They've won every tournament since their team entered the scene in 2021, but their beloved grandfather dies the day they arrive in Riyadh, putting their tournament in jeopardy. Yevhen Zolotarov , the CEO of Ukrainian Club NAVI, is fighting for the friends and family he left behind. On the first day of Russia's invasion, his infant son was awakened by explosions. The next day, electricity was cut off in the area. He and his team are competing to support their war-torn homeland. , the CEO of Ukrainian Club NAVI, is fighting for the friends and family he left behind. On the first day of Russia's invasion, his infant son was awakened by explosions. The next day, electricity was cut off in the area. He and his team are competing to support their war-torn homeland. Mossad Aldossary, the 24-year-old CEO of Team Falcons, was once a kid growing up in Riyadh. Now, he's leading the nation's favorite Club with a chance to make sure the Cup stays at home. With the pride of a nation in the balance – not to mention so much prize money on the line – he feels the pressure to perform. The inaugural Esports World Cup in 2024 featured 1,500 elite players and 200 Clubs from 100 countries competing in 22 tournaments across 21 games for a $60 million prize pool, the largest in esports history. Esports World Cup: Level Up will be available exclusively on Prime Video beginning June 6. About The Esports World Cup The Esports World Cup (EWC) is a premier annual sporting event and global celebration of competitive excellence and esports fandom. The competition features a unique cross-game format that pits the world's top esports Clubs against one another for the largest prize pool in esports history. Returning to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the summer of 2025, the EWC will bring gaming and esports communities together again to crown the next Esports World Cup Club Champion. Short link : Post Views: 43
Saudi Gazette
20-04-2025
- Saudi Gazette
Hanwha Life Esports enters LCK 2025 as clear favorite after Media Day buzz
The ES TIMES — The 2025 LCK Regular Season Opening Media Day was held at the LCK Arena in Seoul, uniting coaches and star players from all ten competing teams for a preview of what promises to be a transformative season. The new format extends the season from March through September, moving toward a single, expanded campaign — a shift that demands deeper rosters and sustained performance. Spotlight on format changes and Fearless Draft This year's key rule changes include: The full implementation of the Fearless Draft system A ban on lane swaps Both updates are expected to drastically impact strategic decisions, particularly in jungle pathing and bottom lane execution. All eyes on Hanwha Life Esports The clear storyline from Media Day? Hanwha Life Esports is the team to beat. Eight out of ten participating teams pointed to Hanwha Life as the tournament favorite, thanks to its two major title wins in early 2025 and a reputation for tactical precision and consistency. While rival teams expressed optimism about their upgraded rosters, most acknowledged the sheer dominance of Hanwha Life heading into the season. Participating teams The event included representatives from: Gen.G T1 DRX DN FREAKS kt Rolster Nongshim RedForce BNK Esports OK Savings Bank Brion Dplus KIA Hanwha Life Esports Conversations focused on the need for adaptability, roster depth, and strategic stamina throughout the expanded season. A new structure for a new era The 2025 LCK season begins with a double round-robin format, followed by a triple round-robin stage after the Mid-Season Invitational. Organizers emphasized that this shift aims to increase competitive fairness while enhancing fan engagement. Beyond gameplay, this season is also seen as a turning point for the league's structure and financial model, as the LCK continues to evolve as a global esports powerhouse.
