Today League of Legends has lost one its greatest players, ever. Bora “YellOwStaR” Kim has retired from professional League of Legend, as revealed by Fnatic yesterday. Kim played a crucial role, not only in Fnatic, but in the Western world of League of Legends as he now retires as one of the most decorated players and huge aid to the scene. In his six years Kim racked up five LCS titles, attended every World Championship, and competed in seven LCS Finals.
Kim joined Fnatic three years ago, where he eventually switched rolls from AD carry, to support. He joined at the start of it all, when the first season of the LCS was announced, and there be began to build on his already established name in the League of Legends world. Prior to Fnatic, Kim played for both SK Gaming and Against All Authority. His most memorable achievement, in my opinion at least, was in 2015 when he reformed the Fnatic lineup with a bunch of rookie players after Paul “sOAZ’ Boyer and Enrique “xPeke” Cadeno Martinez left the squad. At the 2015 World Championships, Kim took the rookie side to the Semi-Finals.
His story is best told in this short documentary made by Fnatic.
2016 was a rough year for Kim as he left Fnatic to join Team SoloMid in America. TSM, as results show, had a terrible year, and Kim returned to Fnatic for the Summer season where they failed to qualify for the World Championships.
Kim released a lengthy farewell on his Facebook page, thanking fans and followers for the years of support.
”Today the situation is different. I’m now 24, and to be completely honest with you, I am feeling more and more exhausted after hours of playing. Everything has become more difficult to do for the last few months even though my inner motivation is still as strong as on the first day – that I can promise you.”
It’s sad to see a player retire, and at the young age of 24. Unlike conventional sports, age does become a problem with gaming. Every day we see younger stars coming about with competitions being won by players as young as 15. What the future holds for YellOwStaR is unclear, but there will definitely be a place for him in League of Legends.
Last Updated: October 20, 2016
