When a professional player reaches the pinnacle of their career, what they carry is not only glory but also the regrets hidden behind the spotlight—those that can never truly be mended. For China’s League of Legends legend, Uzi (Jian Zihao), even after being inducted into Riot Games’ Hall of Legends, this honor cannot completely fill the void that has remained in his heart for years.
In an open letter following his induction, Uzi wrote a deeply moving line: “Not being able to lift the Summoner’s Cup has always been one of my biggest regrets. Even now, it still hurts when I think about it.” This wasn’t just an emotional statement—it was a reflection of his entire decade-long career: a player once hailed as a prodigy ADC, who nevertheless always fell just short of that ultimate world title.
If the stage of League of Legends is an epic, then Uzi’s story is surely one of its most dramatic chapters. In 2013 and 2014, he led Royal Club to consecutive World Championship Finals—an almost unheard-of feat for an LPL player at the time. Back then, the global stage was dominated by Korean teams, and for a non-Korean core player like Uzi to make it to the finals twice was itself a historic breakthrough.
But reality can be cruel. In 2013, he faced the unstoppable SK Telecom T1, and the emergence of Faker completely changed the outcome of the match. In 2014, even though Royal Club rebuilt their roster around him, they still lost to the nearly flawless Samsung White. To stand at the finish line two years in a row, only to watch another team lift the trophy—such heartbreak would be unbearable for anyone, let alone a 17-year-old.
Uzi’s story is reminiscent of NBA star Allen Iverson. He was the symbol of Philadelphia, affectionately called “The Answer,” yet never won a championship. Still, in 2016, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. As Iverson said during his speech: “I never won a championship, but I earned people’s respect.” Uzi’s journey mirrors that sentiment—defeated, yet glorious.
Even without the world title, Uzi’s career shone brilliantly. In 2018, he claimed the MSI Championship and both LPL Spring and Summer titles, a year many hailed as Uzi’s golden era. His playstyle was ferociously aggressive, his precision in farming and laning unmatched. On stage, he was like a stalking leopard, relentlessly pressuring his opponents without mercy.
But time spares no one. By 2020, Uzi announced his retirement due to health issues. His shoulder injuries had worsened, and diabetes combined with LPL’s intense training schedule forced him to slow down. That year, during a livestream, he quietly said: “Some things can’t be achieved by effort alone.” The audience felt a wave of heartbreak—many even filled the chat with messages like “this hurts to hear.”
Uzi did try to return. In 2021, he joined Bilibili Gaming, holding on to a final hope for a “fairy-tale ending.” But reality remained cold. His stage time was limited, and eventually he was replaced by Taiwanese rookie Doggo. In a sense, that was not the farewell he deserved.
This ending is reminiscent of actor Mickey Rourke, once one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, who faded from the spotlight for years. It wasn’t until The Wrestler brought him back to the stage that people realized—he had never truly left, he had only been waiting for one more chance to shine. Uzi’s story is the same: he was always there, just never given that one final shot by fate.
Now, his induction into the Hall of Legends might be the greatest tribute he could receive. It’s not only a recognition of his past but also a monument Riot has built in his honor. Reportedly, like Faker, he will have a commemorative in-game skin, forever immortalizing him in players’ memories. In a way, it’s a long-awaited form of comfort.
Interestingly, even after retirement, Uzi remains highly active as a streamer, and his influence shows no sign of fading. To countless new players, he’s a role model; to veteran fans, a symbol of nostalgia. He may never have lifted the trophy, but he’s already secured an irreplaceable place in the hearts of an entire generation.
In the end, champions may be forgotten—but legends never die. Uzi’s story teaches us that a hero doesn’t need to stand at the top to be complete. As long as they remain sincere and relentless, their legacy will forever move those who follow.
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