Head Coach Kang Dong-hoon, who led the South Korean League of Legends national team to a gold medal victory, credited the players, staff, and teams that helped with practice. Sharing his thoughts on the victory, he expressed, “I am so deeply moved and happy. I am also extremely proud of the players.”
On October 2, South Korea defeated Chinese Taipei 3-0 in the League of Legends finals at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held at the Aichi Sky Expo in Japan. Following their triumph at the previous Hangzhou Games, South Korea secured its second consecutive gold medal, concluding its national team schedule.
When asked to pick the player who contributed the most to the victory, Head Coach Kang spoke about the entire squad rather than singling out a specific individual. He praised all the players, saying they were outstanding and showed great conduct not only in matches but also in their daily lives. He also expressed his gratitude to the staff and officials from the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA). In particular, he did not forget the support of those who offered help even at their own personal expense.
One of the major challenges in preparing for the gold medal was finding practice partners. Head Coach Kang explained that while scheduling practice sessions was difficult due to vacation periods and other factors, several teams generously set aside time for the national team. Dplus KIA and BNK FearX stepped up to help with practice, and General Manager Park Jeong-seok of BRION even adjusted team schedules to provide support.
On days when no practice opponents were available, a sparring team was formed by gathering individual players. Head Coach Kang expressed his gratitude by specifically naming players such as 'PerfecT', 'VicLa', 'HamBak', 'Hype', 'Way', and 'Career'. Support also came from players of other teams, including 'Raptor' and 'Smash'. Even when scrimming against official team rosters was difficult, these players pitched in to allow the national team to continue its training.
Head Coach Kang expressed regret for not being able to recall everyone who offered assistance, while making sure his deep gratitude was clearly conveyed. He said, “There were so many people who helped us. I definitely want to repay them next time,” adding that he hopes to show his appreciation even over a shared meal.
The first thing he wants to do after concluding the tournament is rest. Head Coach Kang reflected that he hadn't slept enough while preparing pick-bans and getting ready for the tournament alongside his staff. His future plans or return to his club team have not yet been decided. He stated, “I want to eat something delicious with the staff and, for now, get some rest.”
Finally, Head Coach Kang left a message of thanks for the fans who supported the national team. “Thank you always for cheering on our players and the team,” he said. “I hope you continue to love and support South Korean esports. Please keep showing us your interest.”
