T1’s Doran Prepares for Pressure at LoL Worlds 2025

Seoul, South Korea – T1 top laner Choi “Doran” Hyeon-joon is gearing up for LoL Worlds 2025, where his team will face Invictus Gaming on October 14. After a challenging season, Doran spoke to esports.gg about handling pressure and building confidence as the tournament approaches.

“We did win Worlds last year, and even though the only change on members was Hyeonjun hyung [Doran], he still blended well into our team and worked hard with us,” said teammate Mun “Oner” Hyeon-jun. “He deserves the most recognition since the beginning of the year.”

Doran expressed gratitude for Oner’s support, reflecting on the skepticism he faced when joining T1 in November 2024. “I faced constant criticism about my abilities,” Doran said. Now he feels that confidence is growing within the team. “With one more win, our confidence and performance will only continue to grow.”

As the tournament nears, Doran emphasizes the importance of adaptability. “Worlds is a short tournament, and the meta can change drastically,” he explained. “Building trust within the team is vital. The more confident we are in each other, the stronger our performance will be.”

When asked about preparing to face Kang “TheShy” Seung-lok, Doran acknowledged the challenge. “I’m definitely aware of the threat he poses, and I am cautious when preparing to face him,” he said.

T1, the reigning Worlds champion, is seen as a favorite to win again. “I wanted to take that weight off my shoulders and focus purely on what I can do in the game,” Doran stated. He aims to enjoy playing and ensure the team performs at its best in the tournament.

Looking forward to the competition, he said, “The first player that comes to mind is probably TheShy, and I’m looking forward to playing against him.”

The match between T1 and Invictus Gaming will be a highly anticipated event, showcasing two of the best teams in the League of Legends scene. The match is set to kick off at 1 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. CEST / 4 p.m. China Time.