DWG KIA parted ways with Nuguri, Burdol, and more

DWG KIA parted ways with several key members, including its top laners and head coach.

Following a dismal result at Worlds 2022, DWG KIA released a number of key members, adding more action to the already chaotic offseason. The organization has parted ways with its top laners Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon and Noh “Burdol” Tae-yoon. Both the top laners will look for a new team when the free agency starts on November 21. The Korean organization also made adjustments to the administration and coaching staff, releasing Athletic Director Kim “kkOma” Jeong-gyun, head coach Yang “Daeny” Dae-in, and coach Lee “Zefa” Jae-min.

DWG KIA parts ways with its top laners Nuguri and Burdol

Nuguri has left the organization and become a free agent ahead of the new season. The first time he joined DWG KIA was in 2017, and during his tenure as a top laner, he helped the team win the LCK Summer 2020 title and the first-ever World Championship. Despite having his most prosperous year in League of Legends with DAWMON, he switched to the LPL team FunPlus Phoenix in December 2020.

The Korean top laner dominated the Chinese competition all year with FPX, and secured second place in the LPL Summer and Spring Splits in 2021. However, the team’s performance plummeted on the international stage and they were eliminated from the Worlds 2021 early after a poor showing in the group stage. Nuguri took a temporary hiatus from FPX after the team’s downfall, and upon his return, he re-joined DWG KIA in April.

Burdol, who joined the team in 2021, filled the top laner position for the DWG while Nuguri was away from DWG. Burdol began his competitive career on T1’s academy teams in 2019. After a strong showing with T1, he was acquired by Gen.G as a substitute top laner for the 2021 season. The top laner, who was 17 at the time, debuted at World in 2021 after finishing third in the LCK Summer Split with Gen.G. Then, at the conclusion of the season, he was acquired by DWG KIA, where he spent the majority of 2022 before Nuguri’s comeback.

DWG bids farewell to KkOma and the coaching staff 

Kim “kkOma” Jeong-gyun, the Athletic Director of DWG KIA, has also left the organization. During his tenure as a coach, he helped the team win two consecutive LCK titles and a second-place finish in Worlds 2021. The organization promoted him to the role of Athletic Director after taking into account his coaching performance.

DWG KIA also announced the departure of their coaching staff, Yang “Daeny” Dae-in, and Lee “Zefa” Jae-min. The two South Korean coaches are leaving DWG for the second time. Before switching to T1 in 2021, they were a part of DWG’s coaching staff in 2020, when the team won their first-ever world championship.

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