Overwatch League franchise Vancouver Titans Flex DPS player Kim “Haksal” Hyo-jong has been announced as Rookie of the Year. While some wouldn’t consider him a rookie as he started competing in 2016, Haksal only joined the Vancouver Titans in 2018.
🤯 Your Rookie of the Year, folks. 🔊 pic.twitter.com/cHgeEmheMB
— Overwatch League (@overwatchleague) September 6, 2019
Kim “Haksal” Hyo-jong
Haksal began his career in 2016 on Korean team RunAway, before the entire roster was acquired by the Vancouver Titans. He was named a member of South Korea’s 2019 World Cup roster and is only 18 years old. He is known for his iconic Genji play but also plays heroes like Pharah, Doomfist, and Brigitte.
While playing on RunAway, the team went on to place 2nd at premier tournaments like Overwatch’s APEX Season 2 and 4. The roster also finished 2nd at 2017’s APAC Premier and 1st at the WEGL Overwatch Invitational – 4v4 Deathmatch event. When 2018 came around, the team finished in 3 – 4th during Season 1 of Korea’s Overwatch Contenders league. They also managed to score first in Season 2 of the same league. The roster then went on to secure another first-place finish at NetEase’s Esports X Summer Tournament in September of 2018.
Overwatch League Rookie of the Year
After the former RunAway roster was acquired by Overwatch League franchise Vancouver Titans, the roster placed first in Stage 1 Playoffs, second place in Stage 2 Playoffs, and 3 – 4th in Stage 3 Playoffs of the Overwatch League. Overall, the Luminosity Gaming-operated Overwatch team took first in the regular season with 25 wins and only 3 losses.
The Vancouver Titans play the Los Angeles Gladiators on Sept. 8 in the 2019 Overwatch League Playoffs Semifinals. The Titans had previously won against Seoul Dynasty with a 4-to-2 matchup, in the Quarterfinals. If Haksal and his team emerge victorious, they will battle it out one more time in the Winners’ Finals before the Grand Finals.
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