Earning another summoner’s belt, South Korea team T1 didn’t just win Worlds 2025; they reminded the world why their dynasty refuses to die. League of Legends is a multiplayer game where two teams of five players each try to destroy the other team’s nexus. Every player controls a character known as a champion, each with special abilities and roles. The game uses strategy and teamwork as players try to out-battle and out-smart the opposing team. The strategy, competition, and organized leagues make the game an esport that has been growing in popularity since its creation.

 T1 defeated fellow South Korean team KT Rolster in a dramatic 3-2 series to win the 2025 League of Legends world title on November 9 in Chengdu, China. This win marks T1’s dominance, as they are the first team in League of Legends history to win three consecutive world championships, making this their sixth world title.

On average, roughly 6.7 million people tuned in to watch the final between T1 and KT Rolster. The event also held massive opening ceremonies, featuring K-pop stars, popular singers, and lifelike animations. The game even produces new songs every year for this moment. 

“My favorite part was definitely the Grand Finals, just watching T1 and KT go back and forth was crazy. Every game felt super cool and like it could flip any second,” said Sahil Ponnada ’29. “The hype and the crowd was all super energetic and made me feel really part of the moment.”

T1, along with KT Rolster, were two of the four teams sent by the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK). The rivalry between the two teams gained so much significance in the world of esports that it became known as the “Telecom War,” stemming from the fact that both teams were founded by major telecommunications companies: SK Telecom and KT Corporation. The rivalry between their organizations is not limited to League of Legends; it began in StarCraft in the early 2000s and continues in other competitive games and sports like basketball.

Stars such as Faker, who first went viral back in 2013 from a clip demonstrating his skills in a solo mission, drew in further interest towards the game. He later earned an exemption from the Korean mandatory military service by earning a gold medal in the Asian Games, allowing him to play in future League of Legends events. 

“I think [Faker] is gonna keep going until he gets bored of it. This is the LeBron James of esports,” said Edward Yin, a Computer Science Teacher. “League of Legends is competitive. It’s a thing of national pride, right? So in a certain sense, he represents Korea on the world stage for a competitive event.”

From the opening ceremonies to the very end, the League of Legends tournament has gained popularity from across the globe while also elevating the game and its community. As this year’s tournament has drawn to a close, the future of the esport appears to be bright.

League of Legends: the center of esports

Ripples spread throughout the water while the crowd of spectators hold their breath. All of a sudden a large cheer erupts as Grant Shore ’26 rows through the finish line of the 
prestigious Head of Charles regatta, a highly regarded race in the rowing world. Shore and his team end up placing fourth, in a race that attracted thousands from across the globe.

Shore initially lived in Wisconsin but later moved to New Jersey and took an interest in rowing. Shore’s older brother Rory first introduced him to intramural rowing team during 
eighth grade at the Hun School. Shore medaled in a few of the races during that season and decided to row for the Princeton National Rowing Association (PNRA) that summer. 

“I played basketball throughout middle school and in the freshman year of high school,” said Shore. “Up until I was 10 years old, I’d say ski racing was my main sport, then basketball, and then [I moved to] New Jersey. For the last two years, two and a half years now, rowing has been kind of my main sport.”

After transferring to PHS during the fall of his sophomore year, Shore decided to pursue rowing full time. Early on in his rowing journey, former Princeton University rower and boys rowing varsity coach Jamie Hamp became one of Shore’s biggest role models.

“He’s really been able to provide a lot of insight into the whole process of training,” said Shore. “He’s been very helpful in giving insight on what optimal nutrition is, what the optimal pacing for each workout [and] optimal ways to plan out your day to best ... orient your recovery. And it’s just been very helpful to have coaches like that.” 

In July 2024, Shore competed internationally and was a quarterfinalist in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta. He competed in the Head of the Charles Regatta and placed fourth in the Under 19 (U19) eight category last year in October as well. For these accomplishments, Shore had to persevere and make tough decisions on a daily basis. 

“[I make] sure each night I am getting my homework done in a timely fashion so that I can get to sleep. During the day, [I 
make] sure I’m getting all my work done, [so] ... going into practice, I don’t have anything I need to handle that would take away from practice,” said Shore.

Even with his acheivements, Shore recognized that rowing is an extremely demanding sport. When he first joined PNRA, Shore struggled with getting used to the intensity of the training and the environment. 

“He wasn’t acclimated to that volume. And so he did hit a little bit of a plateau, and he did struggle a little bit,” said Hamp. “I told him to relax, take a deep breath, 
[and] it’s not that big of a deal."

With the help of coaches and teammates, Shore was able to overcome this obstacle, both mentally and physically. 

“But the hard part, I guess, is just kind of getting through it and realizing what is it that’s holding me back, what is it that needs to be overcome?” said Shore. “And then once you 
address that factor and overcome it, then obviously start to improve again.”

Still, Shore was already a prominent rower early in his career. Teammate Will Kovalick ’27 recalls meeting Shore during his freshman year met.

“He was in the one V as a sophomore, which is pretty impressive,” said Kovalick.

Not only is he technically skilled, Shore is also a role model to his fellow teammates. 

“I feel like he’s always there for advice [and someone] I can look up to, and he’s helped me develop my leadership skills … and it’s just his common nature to act as a leader,” said 
Vrishank Nalla, who competed with Shore at nationals. 

Both Nalla and Hamp say that, once Shore has his mind set on something, he doesn’t take his mind off of it until it is complete. 

“He’s not a very big vocal person. He’s more of a lead by example guy …he’s got this quality that, when he talks in the boat or says something in a meeting or says his 
goals for the boat, everyone’s listening,” said Hamp.

Shore’s main goal is to qualify for the U-23 national team, as last year was his final year on the U-19 team.

“So my goal would be to try and get on [the national team] sometime [in] the next two or three years, and then try 
and obviously compete for a medal this year.” Shore said.

This August, Shore was selected to represent team USA for the U19 Men’s World Rowing Championships in Lithuania. As rowing has shaped Shore over these past few years, he has grown as not only a rower but a person. Shore doesn’t just enjoy getting out on the water and winning, he loves being able to meet different people that all share common interests and goals with him. 

“The camaraderie is definitely my favorite part, getting to meet a lot of unique and interesting people,” said Shore. “The people who you row with, kind of whatever reason you keep coming back and keep talking to them, because it just bonds you in a way.”

Photo: Jasur Agzamov

After placing fourth at the international Head of the Charles Regatta and representing the US for the U19 team in Lithuania, Shore hopes to qualify for the U-23 national team.

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