Pushed to the brink, Damwon Gaming (DWG) fought hard to defend their Worlds title, eliminating T1 in the semifinals, 3-2. Heo “ShowMaker” Su put up monstrous performances, showing just why he wants to make a name for himself—and not just be perceived as the next Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok. In his post-match interview, ShowMaker talked all about facing T1, becoming the best mid in the world, and the potential all-LCK Worlds finals.

ShowMaker recognized that the series was not going to be a walk in the park “because T1 is a strong team.” The opposing side also pulled out “impressive” picks like top lane Yasuo and support Zilean. Those two picks directly contributed to T1's victories in games two and three.

“Seeing those surprise picks, I thought that they prepared very well and that it would be a very difficult day,” ShowMaker said.

T1 definitely put up a good fight and became the first team at Worlds 2021 to take a game off the reigning champions. Damwon had gone on a 10-0 undefeated streak before the game two loss. But even when they fell behind 1-2 in the series, ShowMaker said he felt “relaxed”, adding “I [didn't] think I [was] going to lose.”

The mid laner also revealed what DWG coach Kim “kkOma” Jeong-gyun said in between games three and four.

“He said that we should play around me, so that I could carry, and that we should play comfortable champions like Jhin, so that we would have no regrets,” he explained.

Indeed, ShowMaker showed up in game four. He destroyed T1 on LeBlanc, while Faker was set very far behind on Ryze. This pushed the series to a do-or-die game five. Finally, the defending champions completed the exhilarating comeback and claimed back-to-back Worlds finals berths.

Yet again, ShowMaker and DWG came out on top over the undisputed legend in Faker and T1, an absolute titan of an org in League of Legends history. Now fans are beginning to recognize this rising star and Damwon's new era of dominance. Many may even tout him as the best mid laner in the world as of the moment.

“I think it’s too early to say that I am the best mid laner in the world,” ShowMaker said during the post-match press conference. “But I feel happy to be evaluated as the best for making it to the finals.”

Many fans and analysts alike consider T1 and DWG as the two biggest contenders at Worlds, making it a shame to see them meet up right away in the semifinals in just a single elimination bracket. In a previous interview, Faker had said that he'd have much rather face Damwon in the finals than the semifinals.

ShowMaker also surprisingly said that he hopes the Worlds finals will just be “a boring 3-0” in DWG's favor. He also picked Gen.G as the favored team to win over EDward Gaming (EDG) in the other semifinal matchup.

“I'll prepare for the finals well so that we could win 3-0 without any variables,” he shared. “I want the finals to be between LCK teams again. Now I can cheer for [Gen.G] tomorrow comfortably without any pressure.”