Faker Gets South Korea’s Highest Medal; These Indian Esports Stars Are Still Waiting

Esports has become a global sport, and some players are now being treated like national heroes. Recently, Faker won South Korea highest medal honour, an accolade that comes after his recent triumph in the League of Legends World Championship 2025 with T1.

This honour is typically awarded to athletes, artists, and people who bring pride to the nation. Faker earned it for his long career and the way he helped South Korea stay on top of esports worldwide. In this article, we will discuss how the Indian eSports scene deserves similar recognition.

Why Faker Being Honoured is a Wake-up Call for India?

The fact that Faker won South Korea highest medal is huge and well deserved; it also raises an important question. If esports stars can receive national recognition in countries like South Korea, why are Indian esports players still waiting for similar respect?

India has produced players who have competed internationally, won major prize pools, and represented the country on global stages recognised by platforms such as the Esports Awards 2025, yet formal acknowledgement at the national level remains rare.

3 Indian Athletes Who Put Esports on the Map for India

Considering that, here are some names that have made significant contributions to the Indian esports scene but are still waiting for proper recognition:

Ankit “V3nom” Panth

One of the earliest and most respected names in Indian esports is Ankit Panth, also known as V3nom. He was a professional Counter-Strike player who represented India in several international tournaments when esports were still new in the country. After retiring from competitive play, he moved into esports management and helped build teams that competed abroad.

Even though V3nom did not receive any national sports medal, he gained respect within official sports and gaming circles.

Tirth “Texx” Mehta

Tirth “Texx” Mehta is widely known as India’s most successful Tekken player. He made history by becoming the first Indian to qualify for the Tekken World Tour Finals. Over the years, Texx has won multiple international fighting game tournaments and consistently placed India on the global esports map.

His success brought India recognition in the international fighting game community. Texx received cash rewards, sponsorships, and public praise from esports organisations. However, despite these achievements, he has not received any official national sports award.

Naman “Mortal” Mathur

In mobile esports, Naman “Mortal” Mathur is one of the most influential figures in India. As the leader of Team Soul, he represented India in PUBG Mobile and later Battlegrounds Mobile India international events. Mortal played a huge role in making esports mainstream in the country.

He has received YouTube Creator Awards, brand honours, and invitations to government-backed events focused on gaming, youth, and digital culture. Still, most of his recognition comes from private platforms rather than official sports bodies.

Khel Ratna for Indian Esports Athletes?

India may not have a Faker-level legend yet, but Indian esports players still work just as hard. They practice for long hours, travel for tournaments, play under pressure, and represent the country on international stages. Their effort and dedication are no different from those of traditional athletes.

Awards like the Khel Ratna are intended for athletes who bring pride to the nation. If chess players can receive top honours and esports tournaments attract millions of viewers worldwide, then esports deserve to be part of the conversation. Recognition does not have to start with the biggest award. Even official acknowledgement would be a strong first step.

Government support would provide esports players with greater stability and improved opportunities. It would also help families see gaming as a serious career option. Faker’s medal is a reminder of what is possible. It shows that with the right support, esports athletes can be honoured just like any other sports star.

The growing legitimacy of esports is clearly reflected in major global events, such as The Game Awards 2025, where competitive gaming now stands alongside traditional sports and entertainment.