Team SoloMid’s veteran AD carry, Yiliang ‘Doublelift’ Peng, has called time on his remarkable League of Legends career at the age of 27. The iconic player represented teams such as Counter Logic Gaming, Team SoloMid, and Team Liquid during a run in the LCS that latest just short of a decade.
While international success has eluded Doublelift, he became the face of North American League of Legends and has lifted more domestic LCS titles than anybody else with eight to his name. He has also appeared at eight World Championships, which is more than any player has ever achieved.
Despite winning eight LCS titles, the first four years of Doublelift’s career were trophyless. It was only in the latter half of the 2010s that he began to reap the rewards for being one of NA’s top talents. During that time, he notably won five splits in a row representing both TSM and Team Liquid from Summer 2017 through to Summer 2019.
After starting the 2020 season on Team Liquid, Doublelift made the switch back to TSM for the Summer Split. TSM went on to win that split, but disappointed at Worlds 2020 after failing to win a single game.
Earlier in the offseason, Doublelift’s teammate on TSM and fellow veteran Søren ‘Bjergsen’ Bjerg also called time on his playing career to take on the role of head coach at the reigning LCS champions. Losing both of these iconic players is being dubbed as a monumental moment and potentially a turning point in the LCS’ history.
Doublelift’s retirement means that the 2021 LCS Spring Split will be the first ever to not feature him on a roster.
2,098 LCS Kills
486 LCS Games
8 LCS Titles
8 Worlds Appearances
2 MSI Appearances
1 @TSMDoubleliftGG to one of the greatest to ever grace the #LCS pic.twitter.com/EAmCE5GN27
— LoLEsports Stats (@LoLEsportsStats) November 25, 2020
In his announcement post, Doublelift says he is “deeply grateful” for the support he has received throughout his career.
“I am extremely fortunate to have played professional League for over a decade, literally over a third of my life. To have been able to play alongside truly great players, coaches, and staff, who propelled me to greater levels.
“To have a huge fanbase who cares about and supports me, many of them so much that they feel my happiness in victories and pain in losses. I feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to make a career out of the one thing in life I have loved above all else. I traveled the world, made unforgettable memories, played in front of huge crowds, and saw my dreams come true. All of it was possible because I had the support of the fans and community.”
Reflections
Read: https://t.co/soa0HpgGlf
— Yiliang Peng (@TSMDoublelift) November 25, 2020
His retirement is both expected and surprising. Doublelift is one of the league’s oldest players, and his performances have come under increased scrutiny recently. However, it also seemed that he was preparing to compete in 2021 after reports claimed he was wanting to play on TSM with a top foreign support.
This rumoured request looked set to be granted, with TSM eyeing up a move for Worlds finalist Hu ‘SwordArt’ Shuo-Chieh, who officially left LPL team Suning yesterday.
While that international trophy evaded him and he never got the chance to truly impress at a World Championship, Doublelift will go down as one of the most iconic, successful, and widely recognised players in League of Legends esports history.
