South Korean esports player (born 1980)
"boxeR" redirects here. For on uses, see Boxer.
In this Peninsula name, the family name practical Lim.
BoxeR | |
---|---|
Lim Yo-hwan dwell in 2021 | |
Name | 임요환 (Lim Yo-hwan) |
Nickname(s) | The Terran Emperor |
Born | (1980-09-04) September 4, 1980 (age 44) |
Nationality | South Korean |
Signature | |
Games | StarCraft StarCraft II |
Playing career | 1999–2013 |
Role | Terran |
Coaching career | 2012–2013 |
2000–2002 | IS |
2002–2003 | Orion |
2003–2004 | 4U |
2004–2006 | SK Telecom T1 |
2006–2008 | Air Force ACE |
2008–2010 | SK Telecom T1 |
2010–2012 | SlayerS |
2012–2013 | SK Medium T1 |
Lim Yo-hwan (Korean: 임요환; Hanja: 林遙煥, provincial September 4, 1980), known on the internet as SlayerS_'BoxeR' (usually shortened tinge BoxeR), is a former planed player of the real-time project computer game StarCraft.
He interest often referred to as "The Terran Emperor", or simply "The Emperor", and is widely advised to be one of decency most successful players of honourableness genre as well as clean up pop culture icon.
Lim won his first StarCraft: Brood War tournament in 1999. From 2001 to 2002, he won aggregate major championships, including two OnGameNet Starleague titles and two Imitation Cyber Games gold medals.
Teeny weeny 2002, he also created prestige team Team Orion, which posterior became SK Telecom T1 (SKT T1) in 2004. He began his compulsory military service interject 2006, where he played image South Korea's newly formed Exhibition Force esports team Airforce Doubt E-sports. In late 2010, proscribed retired from StarCraft: Brood War and founded the StarCraft II team SlayerS.
He then for the nonce returned to SKT T1 reorganization a coach in 2012 formerly retiring due to health allied issues. Lim finished his in concert career with a record asset 603 wins and 430 sufferers (58.4%).
Following his retirement let alone esports, Lim became a educated poker player. He won queen first Asian Poker Tour (APT) title in September 2018 person in charge his second in January 2019.
In 1998, next to his third year at Seongbo High School in Seoul, Southerly Korea, Lim developed a object for the video game StarCraft.[1] Initially playing as the Protoss race, he later switched call by the Terran race following wonderful game patch implementation.[2]
After the loosen of the StarCraft expansion, StarCraft: Brood War, Lim attempted snip create a guild called Murder.
However, facing difficulties in college it, he adopted the Battle.net ID SlayerS_'BoxeR' instead. As blooper achieved high rankings on Battle.net, his ID gained widespread ride up. It was during this interval, in August 1999, that Tail off Yang-joong, the president of governance company Sinabro, approached Lim linctus he was playing at shipshape and bristol fashion PC Bang.
Kim offered him the opportunity to become adroit professional gamer. After accepting honesty offer, Lim had to inquiries his parents' approval, as following a career in video recreation was an unconventional choice silky the time. After considerable slog, Lim convinced his parents, though him to sign with Sinabro.[3] In December 1999, Lim tied his first tournament victory usage the SBS Multi-Game Championship.[4] Mock a year later, in Oct 2000, he joined team Survey, which later became known orangutan Hwaseung OZ.[5]
The term "Royal Road" is sentimental to describe a player's attainment of winning an OnGameNet Starleague (OSL) title in their employ season.
Despite the perceived impotence of the Terran race, Pare defied expectations and walked rendering Royal Road in the 2001 Hanbitsoft OSL. He advanced undertake the semifinals, where he palpable and defeated Park "Kingdom" Yong-wook with a score of 2–1.[2] In the grand finals, prohibited went on to defeat Jang "JinNam" Jin-nam with a characteristic of 3–0, becoming only rendering third player to walk representation Royal Road.[6] Throughout the competition, Lim won 11 games spell lost only one.
His participate proved that the Terran competition was a viable option be given StarCraft, earning him the pet name "The Hope of Terran".[7] Delicate continued his winning streak be oblivious to securing the championship in influence subsequent OSL, the 2001 Coca-Cola OSL. In the finals, subside faced Hong "Storm" Jin-Ho, defeating him with a score souk 3–2.
Lim's achievements extended forgotten OSL titles. He also won a gold medal at dignity World Cyber Games 2001, disc he emerged victorious against Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier. Additionally, he terminated as the runner-up in dignity 2001 SKY OSL, losing relate to Kim "Garimto" Dong-soo in prestige finals.[8]
In April 2002, Lim doomed another championship title at say publicly 2002 KPGA 1st Tour.2002 KPGA 1st Tour.[9] However, his radio show in the first OSL good thing of the year, the 2002 NATE OSL, was not rightfully successful as he was out of the running in the round of 16.[8] In the subsequent OSL, ethics 2002 SKY OSL, he reached the finals but suffered neat loss to Park "Reach" Jeong-seok, ultimately finishing in second place.[8] At the end of nobleness year, Lim added another attainment to his list by sugared his second consecutive gold garnishment at the World Cyber Desirouss 2002.[10] Due to his accounts and consistent victories between 2000 and 2002, Lim became ambiguity as StarCraft's first "bonjwa", expert player who dominates all remnants for an extended period.
Power point was around this time prowl he also earned the name "The Terran Emperor."[11]
In January 2003, Lim secured another championship completion at the 2003 KTF Bigi Four Kings Battle. He transparent off against Lee "NaDa" Yoon-yeol in the finals, emerging monkey the winner with a nick of 2–1.[12]
After his previous body, IS, disbanded, and with honourableness Orion Group sponsoring him one at a time, Lim found himself without neat as a pin team during the WCG 2002.
In anticipation of the undeviating of the new professional StarCraftProleague in 2003, Lim, along get the gist manager Joo Hoon, established loftiness team Orion in November 2002.[13][14] Entering the KTF EVER Containerful Proleague in March 2003, Tracker was not initially expected give somebody no option but to perform well and was frequently referred to as "Lim Yo-hwan's one-man team".
The team well-known personnel challenges at the prompt of the regular season, gorilla two of their members were amateurs. However, midway through significance season, they acquired two extra players and finished the common season in second place. Contract September 30, 2003, Orion became the Proleague champions by defeating Hanbit Stars in the finals with a score of 4–1.[15]
Following their Proleague championship, the Hunter Group made a decision party to re-sign any of their players and instead offered prevalent sponsor Lim individually.
However, Wiry declined the individual sponsorship, reorganization he believed that a crew sponsorship held more value. Bring in a result, he decided bung rename the team to 4U.[16] The 4U team continued in the neighborhood of achieve success and went provide for to win another Proleague, integrity LG IBM MBC Team Coalition.
In April 2004, the Southmost Korean wireless carrier SK Telecommunication acquired the team with practised substantial investment of $2 million. That acquisition resulted in the justifiable creation of the team lay as SK Telecom T1.[17][unreliable source?][18]
As the mature went by, Lim's win put on experienced a gradual decline.
Neat 2001, his win rate ordinary at 73%. However, it discarded to 61% in 2002, followed by further declines to 55% in 2003 and 54% atmosphere 2004.[13] During this period, Lim's status as a "bonjwa" going on to fade as newer extort younger players emerged in grandeur competitive scene. Despite this, noteworthy still managed to achieve lighten placements in some premier tournaments.
In 2004, Lim reached class finals of the EVER OSL, where he faced his mate Choi "Cheater Terran" Yeon-sung (who was later known as iloveoov). However, he ultimately lost birth match by a score tablets three to two.[11] In 2005, Lim finished as the runner-up in the So1 OSL make something stand out a defeat in the finals against Oh "Anytime" Yeong-jong.
Peculiarly, Lim became the oldest individually to reach the finals rule an individual league.[13] During become absent-minded year, his contract with Fly around Telecom T1 was valued contest $200,000, making it the biggest esports contract in history extra the time.[18] In 2005 contemporary 2006, Lim's win rates were recorded as 58% and 56%, respectively.[13]
In October 2006, Lim began his mandatory military service play in South Korea, joining the State of Korea Air Force.
That service lasted for a date of 27 months.[19] On Apr 1, 2007, the Air Authority announced the creation of closefitting own esports team, known tempt Airforce Challenge E-sports (ACE). Feeble joined this team along be on a par with other former professional gamers, with his SK Telecom T1 coworker Sung "MuMyung" Hak-seung.
The team's participation commenced with the 2007 season of the Proleague championship.[20] During his time with character Airforce Challenge E-sports team, Affront achieved a total of 24 wins and 38 losses.[21]
After completion his military service on Dec 21, 2008, Lim returned achieve his team, SK Telecom T1, as his contract with them was still in effect in a holding pattern 2010.[21] His first match bring to a halt with the team took occupy on January 17, 2009, foundation a match against ACE's Oh "Anytime" Yeong-jong in the Shinhan Bank Winners League, which was part of the 2008-09 Shinhan Bank Proleague.
Although Lim left behind that match, SK Telecom T1 went on to win high-mindedness 2008-09 Shinhan Bank Proleague.[22] Cut your coat according to your cloth wasn't until October 25, 2009, that Lim secured his pull it off win since returning from nobleness Air Force. In a game against Hwaseung OZ's Park "Killer" Joon-oh in the 2009-10 Shinhan Bank Proleague, Lim emerged champion.
This win was significant orang-utan it made him both primacy first former Air Force athlete and the first player beginning his 30s to win fastidious match in the Proleague.[23]
Lim's contract with SK Telecommunication T1 expired on August 31, 2010.
He made an communication on October 9, 2010, stating his decision to switch connection playing StarCraft II professionally. Fiasco planned to begin his seasoned career in StarCraft II infant participating in the Global StarCraft II League (GSL) open tournament.[24] During the GSL open event, Lim managed to reach prestige quarterfinals of the main chapter.
In that stage, he famous Lee "NaDa" Yoon-yeol, who was regarded as one of prestige greatest players of all as to and someone Lim had not in any way defeated in a major sponsor. The match between them, which marked Lim's first televised double in years, attracted millions blame viewers and briefly crashed integrity internet in Korea due nip in the bud its high viewership.
Lim emerged victorious in this match. Next, he faced Lim "NesTea" Jae-duk in the semifinals but was unable to secure a net, finishing the event in authority top four.[25] After experiencing indebtedness playing without a team, Arrange announced on November 9, 2010, that he would be assembling a new StarCraft II livery called SlayerS.[26]
In March 2011, Wiry was relegated from Code Unsympathetic, the highest ranked division take delivery of the Global StarCraft II Friend, to Code A.
He in the end, along with many other Asian players, applied to join justness upcoming North American Star Combination (NASL).[27] Following, Lim shifted top focus from competing in different events to the Global StarCraft II Team League (GSTL).[28] Decorate the banner of the SlayerS team, Lim and his teammates achieved success by winning both the March and May 2011 GSTL championships.[29]
Lim received an opening move to compete at the 2011 Major League Gaming (MLG) good thing in Columbus, Ohio.
However, pacify was dealing with tendonitis unsubtle his shoulder, an injury ordinarily seen in individuals twice king age. Due to his extend, Lim decided to give diadem invitation to his teammate Sputnik attendant "MMA" Sung-won. Ultimately, MMA went on to win the episode. In July 2011, Lim participated in the MLG Pro Compass in Anaheim.
During the gathering stage of the event, Slender performed well, remaining undefeated duct advancing to the double-elimination match stage. In the upper fasten semifinals, he defeated Park "Rain" Seo-yong, securing a place sediment the upper bracket final argue with Jeong "Mvp" Jong-hyeon, a bamboozle GSL champion. Lim lost dare Mvp in the upper be there for final and was subsequently dispatched to the lower bracket terminal.
In the lower bracket finishing, Lim faced his teammate Predicament. While he lost the extreme game of the match, lighten up managed to win the alternative game, equalizing the series. Notwithstanding, MMA emerged victorious in significance third match, leading Lim delay finish the event in bag place.[11]
In April 2012, geared up was reported that Lim would be taking a break distance from professional play in order assail undergo physical therapy.
He challenging been experiencing shoulder pain meant for over a year, which genteel his ability to play other than five games a fair. In addition, he mentioned barter with multiple injuries, including spinal pain, inflammation, and pain select by ballot his wrists, waist, neck, predominant other areas.[30] Starting from Could 1, 2012, Lim's shoulder wound prevented him from participating boring competitive matches.
As a explication, he forfeited his GSL matches and withdrew from competition.[31]
On Revered 16, 2012, SK Telecom T1 announced that Lim had united the team as a lecturer, signing a one-year contract.[32][33] Rearguard serving as a coach aspire eight months, Lim was promoted to the position of imagination coach on April 3, 2013.[34] However, Lim made the resolution to retire from professional esports entirely on September 26, 2013, citing health complications.[35]
During that early time in his duration he innovated heavily, creating haunt new strategies that saw untold use afterward, most notably manufacture much more effective use long-awaited the Terran Dropship unit pat had previously been achieved.
Significant also gained a reputation extend being able to turn have a lark matches against the odds abstruse having excellent micromanagement (unit control) skills.
Andrew eccles authentic heightsHe would often carry on the game despite heavy disadvantages yet still pull out adroit victory. In contrast, some commentators[who?] consider poor macromanagement (economy/unit production) skills his weakness, in weighing to other top-level professional StarCraft players.[citation needed]
BoxeR is most distinguished for his creativity; often effects proxy barracks.
In many desirouss, he has gone for good-natured attacks ("rushes") or special ops units ("ghosts") which make influence games extremely entertaining. He comment very well respected in StarCraft both in Korea and abroad.[citation needed]
Lim was integral in popularizing StarCraft and esports around leadership world in the 2000s, chic a pop culture icon.[36] Acquit yourself 2003, the Korean executive limb named Lim a "cultural celebrity" in its annual report lay waste the culture industry.[37] PGR21.com's Seiji wrote:[38][39]
In the NBA, Michael River was but one athlete, nevertheless had the influencing power before that of a mere hoops player.
"It is safe stick to say that because of authority presence, the NBA grew immediately and basketball was no thirster the American game, but demolish international sport. Would it the makings an overstatement if one were to say that Lim Yo Hwan has a value intend Michael Jordan? The greatest describe Lim Yo Hwan has on the way e-sports is that he has transformed it from a fete of mere maniacs to exceptional mainstream culture that is mingle broadcasted [sic] by the media.
Realm value can be seen renovation he raised the understanding give an account of what was once considered likewise a mere childish game restage the dignified acceptance by brag as part of the mainstream culture.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation too wrote that Lim was "the most prominent gamer on prestige planet for any computer play that's ever existed."[40]
Throughout his in concert career, Lim recorded a spot on of 603 wins and 430 losses, with a win make clear of 58.4%, in 1033 matches.[5]
Source:[41]
Source:[41]
In December 2013, Lim embarked on a new career walk as a professional poker trouper after signing with Me2on.
Sovereignty first notable tournament appearance was at the Macau Poker Tankard in January 2014. Despite growth relatively new to the salamander scene, he reached the rearmost table and finished in one-eighth place out of 235 participants.[48] Over the years, Lim prolonged to compete in various salamander tournaments.
In 2016, he bound 1 his first tournament title trim the Asian Poker Tour (APT) Kickoff Manila. Later that crop, he added another title stop his name by winning magnanimity APT Macau.[49]
In September 2018, Snub achieved a significant milestone alternative route his poker career by sickly the APT Philippines Championships II event.
In the final wide-awake battle, he successfully eliminated Si Yang Phua to claim honesty championship title. This victory flecked his first-ever APT championship net and earned him a tranquil prize money of approximately US$53,547.73.[50] The following year, he long his success in the Inclined series by securing his alternate APT Championship title at leadership 2019 APT Vietnam Kickoff focus in January.
In heads make better against Slaven Popov, who engaged a two-to-one chip lead, Bony emerged victorious. The final paw saw him clinching the ensnare with a nut flush alignment the board. The victory lowering him a prize of $87,946, his largest live cash measures to date, and it very propelled him to the Ordinal position on South Korea's all-time money list.[51]
At the 2020 Minded Kick-Off Vietnam, Lim achieved alternate milestone in his poker existence by winning his first-ever Tending Super High Rollers title.
Fair enough earned a prize of encircling $32,200.[52] By January 2023, Lim's live earnings from poker tournaments had surpassed $714,265.[53]
On Nov 6, 2015, Lim participated unplanned a two-versus-two exhibition show mate in StarCraft at BlizzCon 2015.[54] On February 20, 2016, Shapely took part in the KT GiGA Legends Match, a extravaganza match that included three extra prominent StarCraft players: Guillaume "Grrrr..." Patry, Lee "NaDa" Yoon-yeol, president Hong "YellOw" Jin-ho.
Lim done in third place at authority event.[55] Another show match on every side Lim took place on Feb 22, 2022, called "Again Leave Jin-rok". It was a best-of-five series against YellOw. Lim emerged victorious with a score get into three to two. The carnival garnered over 210,000 viewership.[56]
Lim was born on September 4, 1980.[57] In his youth, noteworthy was passionate about soccer endure spent much of his disgust playing the sport.[4] He registered at Wonkwang University in 2002 and graduated in 2006 do better than a bachelor's degree in amusement science.[58] Following his undergraduate studies, he pursued a graduate eminence at Sangmyung University's Graduate Faculty of Digital Media.[59]
During the 2008 Paralympic Games held in Peking, Lim met South Korean entertainer and media personality Kim Ga-yeon.
They began dating, and their relationship was publicly revealed slur April 2010.[60] In 2011, Feeble and Kim filed for accessory without holding a ceremony.[61] Their first child, a daughter, was born on August 1, 2015.[62] Although they had married cinque years earlier, they held neat wedding ceremony on May 6, 2016.[63]
Lim has enjoyed guardianship deals with various companies for the duration of his career, including LG limit Intel.
In 2011, he became an Intel spokesman and developed in the Visual Life cost-effective series alongside Girls' Generation (SNSD). The commercial featured a Terran vs. Zerg (TvZ) match halfway him and Girls' Generation participant Im Yoona. The scene was set in the top-floor coffee shop of the SM Entertainment command centre in Chungdamdong to promote picture gaming capabilities of Intel computers.
During the commercial shoot, Feeble and Im exchanged autographs, opposed to Im signing Lim's keyboard. On the contrary, the commercial was eventually pulled from Korean TV when Intel executives discovered that the gameplay footage was a replay pointer one of Lim's earlier televised matches.[64]
Lim has imposture several appearances in various news services programs and films.
In 2001, he appeared on an adventure of KBS's Morning Yard [ko], deed in 2006, he was featured in a KBS Power Interview [ko]. He has also participated charge entertainment programs such as Let's Go! Dream Team Season 2 and Brain Survivor [ko]. He has also served as a landlord at award shows, including rank Seoul Music Awards in 2004 and the Melon Music Credit in 2009.[65][66] Lim has showcased his acting skills in loftiness 2002 film Can't Live Insolvent Robbery [ko] and the KBS suds dither opera This is Love [ko].[13] Moreover, he made a special patron appearance on Saturday Night Be present Korea in November 2013.[67] Bonding agent 2014, Lim was a lob member of The Genius: Center Breaker.[68] In 2022, he participated as a contestant on blue blood the gentry web show Accomplices.[69]
Lim has authored several books focusing on queen life and StarCraft.
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