One of the greatest dynasties in esports is at a crossroads. T1, five-time and reigning world champions, are not traveling to China as overwhelming favorites, but are instead fearing for their place in the main round. However, coach ‘KkOma’ remains calm.

For more than a decade, T1 has stood for what is considered the gold standard in League of Legends: competitive excellence – five world championship titles speak for themselves. After 2023 and 2024, the team is now aiming for a historic triple. A third title in a row – no one has ever thought that possible before. But this time, T1 is starting from the most difficult position in the entire tournament: as Korea’s fourth starter – right in the middle of the play-ins.

“Right now, all that matters is the game against Invictus Gaming. All I’m thinking about is preparing for this series,” “If we can do that, we’ll have a little time to analyze the rest of the tournament and prepare specifically for it.” In 2013, ‘KkOma’ led SK Telecom T1 to its first world championship title and discovered an exceptional talent along the way: Sang-hyeok ‘Faker’ Lee.

Mental strength under pressure

Few coaches know better what it means to be under pressure. ‘KkOma’ has won international titles with different lineups—and learned that his own success can become the greatest burden.

This year, T1 is starting the World Championship from a position of perceived weakness. Mental strength and self-confidence are now their greatest weapons. “I focus on the present—and only on the present,” says ‘KkOma’. Public pressure is not one of his priorities. With a roster of seasoned veterans, the coach doesn’t have to build egos or confidence: “All of our players are experienced professionals,” he says. “I am convinced that we can beat anyone.”

Kim’s confidence in experience shows how much his coaching has changed. In the past, when he worked with rookies, he focused on the “essentials” — and avoided addressing things that were “not too important” to them. But even then, his focus was on creating an environment where his players could “just concentrate on the game.”

Adapt, change, improve

New champions, faster metas, tougher competition—what it takes to be a top player has changed. But for ‘KkOma,’ one thing remains the same: the pressure. Even previous international tournaments were, as he says, “packed to the brim”—a stress test for skill and endurance.

The real change, he says, lies in how teams have to adapt during the game itself. The new Fearless Draft format forces players and coaches to make quick decisions. It prohibits duplicate champion picks in a best-of series. Now it’s not just about knowing the game, but also reacting lightning fast to your opponent’s picks.

“Fearless depends on players really mastering champions,” Kim explains. “Game four or five requires a lot of spontaneity.” The format forces even experienced teams out of their comfort zone. For ‘KkOma,’ that means more than just polishing old strategies. “We’re constantly evolving,” he says. “What worked yesterday won’t get you anywhere today. Every patch, every format requires you to adapt.”

The burden of success

T1’s starting position at Worlds 2025 shows how difficult it is to stay at the top. After two consecutive world titles, expectations are higher than ever.
Previous tournaments prove that even favorites can fail early on — preparation and adaptation are crucial. But they also show that the path from the play-ins to the trophy is possible. In 2022, DRX did just that — from the first match to the final, winning every series — including against T1. Now the Korean powerhouse is at that starting line itself.
Now it’s up to T1 to prove that they have the strength and confidence to follow the same path—from the first series of the tournament to the last, without a single defeat. The play-ins start on Tuesday at 10 a.m. We’ve summarized all the information about the tournament for you here.