Former SK Telecom T1 support Cho “Mata” Se-hyeong will continue his League of Legends career as the head coach of Royal Never Give Up. This move comes just a few days after Mata announced his retirement from professional League of Legends. Mata has played under a number of prominent names throughout his career, including Samsung White, Royal Never Give Up, and KT Rolster.
Cho “Mata” Se-hyeong signed with Samsung White in 2013, placing 9-10th in the Season 3 World Championship. Moving into 2014, the team then placed third in both the Spring and Summer Korean Champions seasons. Their results throughout the year had earned them enough circuit points to qualify for the 2014 World Championship. After going undefeated in the Worlds group stage, Samsung White took down Team SoloMid, Samsung Blue, and Star Horn Royal Club to claim the title.
Mata spent 2015 under the Vici Gaming banner, and, in 2016, the support player began his tenure with Royal Never Give Up. RNG won LPL Spring before making a semi-final appearance at the Mid-Season Invitational. Once at the 2016 World Championship, RNG placed second in their group before making a quarter-final exit. The team was eliminated by eventual champions SK Telecom T1 at both MSI and Worlds.
Mata joined KT Rolster ahead of the 2017 season. The team achieved good results, placing second and third in LCK Spring and Summer, respectively, losing to SK Telecom T1 in both seasons. Their second place finish at the Regional Final meant they did not advance to Worlds. Results improved in 2018, KT Rolster winning LCK Summer and qualifying for the World Championship, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals. Mata signed with SK Telecom T1 for the 2019 season, winning LCK Spring and Summer with the legendary team. They made semi-final finishes at both the Mid-Season Invitational and the 2019 World Championship.
Mata announced his retirement from professional play on December 14th. He now returns to Royal Never Give Up, taking over as their head coach for the upcoming 2020 season. Recent results for RNG include a second place finish at LPL Summer 2019, and a 9-12th place exit from this year’s World Championship. Royal Never Give Up will return in the 2020 LPL Spring season.
