TL;DR
- Uzi retired due to type 2 diabetes and chronic arm injuries affecting his ability to practice
- The legendary ADC was first to reach 3,000 career kills and inspired countless pro players
- Professional gaming’s physical demands include 10-hour daily practice sessions
- Return depends entirely on health improvement and recovery from medication side effects
- His legacy continues through players like Rekkles who acknowledge his groundbreaking skills
Despite officially stepping down from Royal Never Give Up, Jian “Uzi” Zi-Hao maintains aspirations for continuing his professional League of Legends journey. The celebrated marksman’s competitive spirit remains undiminished even after his retirement announcement.
Throughout his distinguished career, Uzi earned recognition as one of the world’s premier Attack Damage Carry specialists. He achieved the groundbreaking milestone of accumulating 3,000 eliminations during competitive play, maintaining this impressive record across multiple seasons. However, recent competitive appearances have become increasingly scarce for the veteran player.
Persistent physical ailments forced Uzi to withdraw from the 2020 LPL Spring Split competition, creating an opportunity for Lu “Betty” Yu-Hung to assume his position within RNG’s roster. During an LPL documentary collaboration with Nike, he revealed severe limitations in his gaming capacity—managing only brief sessions of two hours maximum due to debilitating right arm discomfort.
When his contractual obligations with RNG concluded in early May, Uzi entered free agency status. The League of Legends community engaged in extensive speculation regarding the superstar’s future: Would RNG re-sign their veteran star? Might another elite organization recruit him? Or would retirement become his inevitable path forward?
The situation reached its climax on June 3rd when Uzi disclosed his professional retirement, attributing the decision to developing type 2 diabetes resulting from prolonged stress, weight management challenges, and nutritional deficiencies.
During his revealing interview, Uzi described how maintaining ten-hour daily training regimens had become increasingly challenging both mentally and physically. He began questioning his capacity to continue competing at the highest level. Compounding these difficulties, diabetes medications produced undesirable side effects including appetite suppression and persistent fatigue, making effective practice sessions nearly impossible to sustain.
“Typically, professional competitors maintain peak performance for approximately two years because psychological resilience fundamentally shapes career trajectory. I believe sustained excellence depends entirely on one’s ability to withstand competitive pressures,” Uzi elaborated regarding the mental aspects of elite gaming.
Could Uzi return to League of Legends?
Following eight years of professional League of Legends competition, the star marksman can no longer tolerate the relentless practice schedules and scrimmage requirements. While officially retired, he assured supporters that he wouldn’t rule out a competitive return should his health conditions substantially improve.
“Should I achieve complete recovery to my optimal condition, or experience gradual health improvements, I genuinely desire to compete on the professional stage once more,” Uzi stated during his Chinese Network Television appearance.
Currently, Uzi can conclude his competitive journey knowing he made significant contributions to League of Legends esports, including technical abilities that motivated numerous professional players worldwide.
A message from @RekklesLoL on @UziRNG’s career: pic.twitter.com/AyoUFGnDMJ
— FNATIC (@FNATIC) June 3, 2020
Action Checklist
- Monitor practice session duration and take regular breaks to prevent repetitive strain injuries
- Implement ergonomic gaming station setup with proper wrist support and monitor positioning
- Schedule comprehensive medical check-ups every six months to detect early signs of gaming-related health issues
- Develop balanced nutrition plan addressing the metabolic demands of extended gaming sessions
- Establish mental health maintenance routine including stress management techniques and adequate sleep schedules
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Uzi says he will return to pro League of Legends if health improves Analyzing Uzi's potential League of Legends comeback and the health challenges facing professional gamers