LoL Wins Best Esports Athlete: Chovy

LoL Legend Chovy Wins Best Esports Athlete at The Game Awards 2025

League of Legends fans had plenty to celebrate at The Game Awards 2025, but one announcement stood above the rest for the esports community. Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon, the star mid laner for Gen.G Esports, was officially crowned Best Esports Athlete of the Year. The award recognises not just a single tournament run, but a year defined by consistency, elite mechanics, and boosting his team at the highest level of competitive play both domestically and internationally.

From the moment the ceremony began on December 11, The Game Awards wasted no time highlighting excellence across gaming and esports. When Chovy’s name was revealed, it felt like a long overdue moment of recognition for a player many consider one of the most technically gifted talents League of Legends has ever produced.

A Legendary Year for Chovy and GEN.G Esports

Chovy’s 2025 season with Gen.G Esports was packed with high stakes competition and standout performances. As the team’s mid laner, he played a central role throughout the League of Legends Champions Korea season, widely regarded as the toughest regional league in the world. Gen.G finished at the top of the LCK standings, securing direct qualification to the League of Legends World Championship 2025.

During that dominant LCK run, Chovy collected three individual awards, further reinforcing his reputation as a player who controls games through precision, intelligent positioning, and relentless pressure in the mid lane. His laning fundamentals remained among the best in the world, while his teamfight decision making continued to evolve.

Although Gen.G ultimately placed fourth at Worlds 2025, their overall performance remained impressive against the strongest international competition. For many analysts and fans, Chovy’s individual level throughout the event was a major reason Gen.G stayed competitive deep into the tournament.

Esports World Cup and MSI Champion

Beyond regional success, Chovy’s trophy cabinet grew significantly in 2025. Under the Gen.G banner, he captured titles at both the Mid-Season Invitational and the Esports World Cup. Winning multiple international tournaments in the same year is no small feat, especially in a game as competitive and strategically demanding as League of Legends.

These victories showcased Chovy’s adaptability across patches, metas, and international playstyles. Whether facing aggressive early game teams or slower, macro focused opponents, he consistently found ways to influence matches. This versatility is one of the key reasons voters and fans alike viewed him as the standout esports athlete of the year.

Talent Recognizes Talent

Chovy’s rise has not gone unnoticed by the greatest names in League of Legends history. In 2024, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok publicly praised Chovy’s talent, calling him an extraordinary player with the potential to one day lift the Summoner’s Cup. Coming from the most boosted player in esports history, that endorsement carried enormous weight.

Winning Best Esports Athlete at The Game Awards 2025 feels like another milestone on that long journey. While the World Championship title remains the ultimate goal, this award cements Chovy’s status as one of the defining players of his generation.

The Best Among The Best

The Best Esports Athlete category in 2025 was stacked with talent from across multiple games. Chovy faced competition from top VALORANT players Brock “brawk” Somerhalder and Jason “f0rsakeN” Susanto, Street Fighter 6 champions Kakeru Watanabe and Saul Leonardo “MenaRD” Mena II, and Counter-Strike 2 superstar Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut.

Notably, Chovy was the only League of Legends player nominated in the category. His win highlights just how impactful his year was, even when measured against elite competitors from entirely different esports titles.

League of Legends Esports in 2026

Chovy’s victory also shines a spotlight on League of Legends esports as a whole. It reinforces the game’s continued relevance on the global stage and highlights the depth of talent within the LCK. For fans, it is a reminder that individual brilliance still matters, even in a team focused esport.

As the 2026 season approaches, expectations around Chovy have never been higher. With international titles already secured and individual recognition now in hand, the next chapter of his career could be the most important yet.

For now, Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon stands as The Game Awards 2025 Best Esports Athlete, a title earned through skill, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to excellence at the highest level of League of Legends competition.

 

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