G2 Caps on his drive for a Worlds title: ‘I’m done with excuses’

Many have hailed G2 Esports as the team that can elevate the West’s presence on the international stage of League of Legends, amidst dominance from the LPL and LCK. After their resounding victory over Top Esports at MSI 2024, I spoke with Caps to learn about his strategies for making a mark in LoL history.

Despite Fnatic being the first team to win the Worlds title, the history of the event has remained consistent. In 2019, G2 almost claimed the title for themselves, but ultimately lost in the Grand Finals, missing out on the opportunity to achieve the first Golden Road in LoL esports history.

The Golden Road refers to a team achieving all possible titles in a single year, both domestically and internationally. G2 came close to achieving this feat in 2019, while JDG narrowly missed out at Worlds 2023. Despite falling short at the Worlds 2019 final, Caps remains determined to return to that stage, having been part of the roster in 2019.

During our conversation, Caps assured me that he had long overcome any doubts concerning his previous losses. His goal is not only to win MSI 2024, but also to continue paving the Golden Road where he left off and solidify G2’s name, as well as his own, in the history books.

G2: A Shining Beacon in a Pit of Western Despair

Despite not being a flawless team in the last five years, G2 has consistently been one of the top teams in the world. This is exemplified by their defeat against NRG in 2023. While Caps has played a significant role in their success with his standout performances, the team’s roster is not solely dependent on him.

In G2’s lineup, Hans Sama, BrokenBlade, and Yike are all capable of carrying the team. In addition, Mikyx’s proficiency with certain flex picks often leads to them being banned in every draft, but he always manages to find a surprising pick. This team is nearly unbeatable in draft, and Caps credits his teammates for much of G2’s success.

“I am extremely proud of my teammates. JackeyLove has been performing exceptionally well lately, and it was gratifying to see our bot lane dominate as the superior Draven. Hans definitely needed that confidence boost. I must also mention BB’s impressive performance in Game 3 and throughout the series. Although Tian was aggressive towards him in the second game, Hans was given the freedom to take control of the game. I am thrilled with everyone’s contributions.”

Caps also praised G2’s dedicated support staff, crediting their hard work in building a cohesive team over the past year and a half. He noted that this same level of unity and determination is present in top LPL and LCK teams and expressed his desire to replicate it within G2.

In the past, I have often considered the possibility of playing in the LPL or LCK. From my perspective, these leagues seem to prioritize hard work and dedication, which is something I have always desired in a team. However, I must say that the team we have been a part of for the past year and a half has been exceptional. I am incredibly proud of everyone for their dedication and it was evident in our performance today and over the past year. The amount of improvement we have made is remarkable.

“However, there is still a significant challenge ahead of us. In my opinion, the top LPL and LCK teams, including Gen.G and BLG, are formidable opponents. In order to compete with them, we must continue to improve and surpass our current level.”

G2’s method of holding the West responsible demonstrates that success is attainable. They are motivated to win in order to challenge other teams to stop making excuses or trying to rationalize their losses against LPL and LCK teams every year.

There is much discussion surrounding the growing divide between Western and Eastern teams and the potential solutions to bridge this gap.

The solution for Caps was to work harder.

G2-Caps-contemplating — Liu YiCun/Riot Games

“Reflecting on the past, [the LPL/LCK] have consistently outperformed us. However, this only serves as motivation for us to push ourselves even harder. It is possible that some pro players and fans may not have the same ambitions of winning MSI or Worlds due to our challenges every year. However, I believe it is important to not give up and continue to watch extra VODs, play more solo queue games, and put in that extra effort to maintain our drive and determination.”

“Confidence is not just important on the day, but also throughout the entire year. Staying motivated is key. This is especially true for young players who are currently grinding ranked at the age of 15-16. If they see a potential future in competing internationally and performing well, it can greatly increase their drive and determination compared to the prospect of going pro and only achieving moderate success in Europe before facing defeat in major tournaments like MSI and Worlds.”

Despite his success, Caps has experienced doubts and setbacks. He has gone from Craps to Claps and everything in between, facing both highs and lows in his career, to the point where he has earned a variety of nicknames.

However, currently Caps is fully committed. He had a lengthy conversation with me about how the challenges and obstacles he faced in his career impacted him mentally, and how his outlook has evolved over time.

It’s never too late to make history

At this point, Caps has been playing for a considerable amount of time. While most professional players only last a few years before moving on for various reasons, he has successfully endured the challenges of time. Additionally, G2 has constructed a legacy centered around him.

During his time on G2, Caps has achieved domestic success and received numerous MVP awards, setting a standard of individual achievement that is unlikely to be surpassed by any other LEC player in the near future. G2 Esports holds a dominant position in the LEC, having claimed 10 domestic titles since Caps joined the team.

His extensive experience and tenure, both domestically and internationally, have been crucial factors in his success thus far. He continues to strive for excellence in every tournament he competes in.

“The previous MSI served as a significant wake-up call for me. It opened my eyes to many things and I realized that by making certain adjustments, not only would it benefit me, but also the team as a whole. I was eager for the Summer Split and we made great progress for Worlds. Unfortunately, it wasn’t sufficient. However, it kickstarted a positive process for us. We now have a clear understanding of how to improve and that is the initial step towards achieving greatness.”

Worlds 2023 didn’t go the way Caps wanted

Despite their loss to T1 at MSI 2024, G2 have proven their ability to adapt and overcome challenges by securing consecutive 3-0 victories. This demonstrates their skill in addressing and resolving issues within the team as they arise. Cap’s past experiences, both victorious and defeat, have played a significant role in shaping the player he is today.

Despite investing a significant amount of time, there is always the looming fear that someone may come along and surpass you, or that your body may fail you. Even Faker, a highly skilled player, has had to face his own mortality after suffering a wrist injury, which he is still dealing with.

Despite experiencing moments of self-doubt and feeling like he was getting too old for professional play, Caps has found renewed motivation after his successful comeback with the current G2 roster.

After the Season 10 Worlds, I was left feeling devastated. I couldn’t believe that even after all these years, I still couldn’t win. This was my fourth Worlds and I had only made it to the semifinals, a lesser achievement than my previous attempts where I had reached the finals. It was a huge disappointment and it definitely took a toll on my hope and motivation. I found myself not as dedicated in Season 11 and even during part of Season 12, until we lost to Fnatic in the playoffs. That loss was a wake-up call for me. I realized that I needed to push myself harder and do better. I understood that my age and the fact that I hadn’t won Worlds yet didn’t matter. All that

During that time, it was common for people to retire at a young age. Even when I was 20 or 21, it was considered old. It made me feel strange that I hadn’t won Worlds, and I started to doubt my abilities. However, I have overcome this weakness. I believe that age does not determine my skills – it is the effort I put in every day that determines my performance. Whether I win Worlds or not is entirely up to me. I no longer make excuses, whether it’s because I am from Europe or because I am getting older. I have learned to let go of these excuses and take responsibility for my actions.