Einer der ganz großen verlässt die internationale Bühne. Wie Fnatic heute auf ihrer Internetpräsenz mitteilte, wird der Supporter Bora ‚YellOwStaR‘ Kim seine aktive Spieler-Karriere beenden. Über sechs Jahre, davon 3 1/2 bei Fnatic war YellOwStaR teil der League of Legends-Szene und konnte so manchen Erfolg mit Fnatic feiern. Auf Facebook schreibt der 24-Jährige Franzose, dass ihm die Entscheidung nicht leicht gefallen, es aber der richtige Schritt sei.
Statement Bora ‚YellOwStaR‘ Kim:
Dear esports,
It has been quite a while since this journey started, 8 years ago if my memory serves. You’ll admit that the beginning was quite rough for both of us. You were only a child, and so was I. Back in 2008, you were not the coolest kid on the block, but I had a feeling that you would become the next big thing.
You took me under your wing and you did a great job being my caretaker. First on Warcraft III, then on League of Legends where you really helped me to grow up, shaping me into the man that I am today.
I have been praised, I have been criticized. I have had a lot of success, but a lot of failures too. Looking back today, accepting the criticisms that have been thrown my way and learning from them, I wouldn’t change a thing.
I cannot be more thankful for all the memories we forged together throughout the years.
I do have to confess that I doubted you once. Just once. The 28th of September in 2014 to be exact. You sent me to Singapore to play the World championship. For more than a month, we were practicing around 16 hours a day, slowly building a mindset where losing was not an option. And you know what? We failed. The weight of that loss was extremely heavy to bear.
The continuous efforts to meet struggles and failures can be straining on a young’s mind and heart. I was not ready to meet and face such a disappointment as a competitor – to the point that I was that close to putting an end to my career.
But I could not: My parents, my family, my friends, everyone that have been there for me since day one, persuaded me to keep playing. I did not want to let them down.
To my surprise, the following year ended up being the most wonderful year of my life. It led to the building up of a new team for Fnatic, winning two EU LCS titles, earning an MVP title and reaching World championship semifinals.
Entire years of sweat and late nights, from Mondays to Sundays for months finally were worth. It is all professional and personal, all at the very same time. The world you brought me in is a very unique way of life, and only you, esports, could have offered me that.
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.
Back in 2014 when I was having second thoughts, I turned to my loved ones for advices and they told me to pursue my dreams as long as I was genuinely happy doing it.
So after long hours of thinking, support from friends and family, I have made up my mind. After 336 official games, it is time to tell you all that I am putting an end to my professional playing career!
Thank you. Thank you esports. Thank you *aAa* : against All authority, Millenium TV, SK Gaming, Team SoloMid and Fnatic. Thank you for accepting me and giving me the chance to compete and win.
Thanks to all my teammates and all the people that I got to meet and work with.
Thank you Riot Games and Blizzard for creating the games that allowed me to live my dreams for so many years
Thanks to all of you that have helped and supported me throughout my career.
There are no words to express how grateful I am towards every single one of you.
That’s it, esports. Never forget how lucky you are, and the obligation that comes with that. Looking forward to our next journey together, my friend.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login