HLE’s star mid laner and MSI winner Kim "Zeka" Geon-woo is returning to North America for Worlds 2026. Four years after his unexpected triumph with DRX, the esports athlete shared his thoughts on the evolution of his gameplay, his attitude toward pressure, and his readiness to fight for the main trophy once again.
During DRX's victorious run in 2022, the team was considered a massive underdog. According to Zeka, the players didn't believe they could become champions until the very moment they destroyed the nexus in game five of the grand final. The lack of expectations relieved psychological pressure and allowed them to play comfortably. However, HLE has arrived at this year's tournament as one of the main contenders for the title. Zeka emphasizes that he is no longer afraid of high expectations, feels maximum confidence in his abilities, and is ready to prove his level on stage.
The mid laner's playstyle has also undergone significant changes. Traditionally known for his mastery on melee champions (such as Akali or Yone), this year Zeka has significantly expanded his champion pool with control mages. His main goal in preparation for the 2026 season was to successfully translate a wide variety of picks from practice into official matches. Currently, the player prefers meta mages, specifically noting his confident performance on Viktor.
Commenting on mid laner Jojopyun's desire to face him at the tournament, Zeka recalled their frequent practice sessions back in 2022 against EG. He highly praised Jojopyun's bold and aggressive style, which resonates well with his own approach, and expressed readiness for an exciting showdown if their paths cross at the tournament.
Zeka sees his return to the North American stage as an opportunity to validate his progress. According to him, despite winning the world championship title four years ago, he has become a much stronger player today and intends to prove it by lifting the trophy for a second time.
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