Chinese esports superstar Uzi announces retirement at the age of 23
The most recognizable Chinese League of Legends Pro League player cited diabetes and shoulder pain as reasons for leaving esports
At 23 years old, China’s most famous esports player says he can no longer play because of poor health.
Uzi, the Shaquille O'Neal of Chinese esports
To try to improve his health, Uzi said he’s been taking medication over the past six months and gradually changing his daily routine, but it hasn’t worked. He also said the medication has negatively impacted his mental state.
Uzi’s retirement immediately became the top trending topic on Chinese social media platforms Weibo and Zhihu, where many of Uzi’s fans lamented the news. Some said Uzi’s retirement marked the end of their youth.
Born in 1997, Uzi started his career as a professional League of Legends player in 2012 at the age of 15, taking his team Royal Club to the League of Legends World Championship Finals. After stints at Royal Club’s rival OMG and another Chinese team called QG Reapers, he returned to Royal Club’s new team RNG, which asserted its dominance in League of Legends in 2018.
And it looks like he really means “for now.” In that same interview, Uzi said he’s just temporarily leaving the arena and couldn’t say for sure that he wouldn’t return in the future. He also said that he feels regret for things he hasn’t achieved and other things that he could have done better, but he didn’t elaborate.
“If there’s still enough time, and if I’m still able,” Uzi said, “I believe that there are still many things I can achieve.”
Whatever he decides to do, the gamer promised in his CCTV interview to “stay in everybody’s sight.” He should have options. As his team posted on Twitter, Uzi was “not only the heart and soul of RNG, but also an icon in the esports world as a whole.”
“From a teenager onwards he never gave up and worked as hard as he could to be the best he could in his role, he inspired many,” RNG said.