LEC Host Sjokz Takes Indefinite Break to Focus on Mental Health

LEC is gearing up for its last split before the highly anticipated LEC season finals, but unfortunately, it will also mark the first time the event will be hosted without the presence of Eefje "Sjokz" Depoortere.

The League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) is set to begin in just a week, and the anticipation is high as we prepare to witness the region's top players compete for the LEC Summer split trophy. However, this season will be noticeably different, as one of the most recognizable figures in the LEC scene will not participate in the upcoming split.

Yesterday, Eefje "Sjokz" Depoortere, the long-standing host of the LEC, made the announcement that she would be taking some time off to prioritize her mental health. Over a period of time, Sjokz has been dealing with the aftermath of personal family tragedies, and after careful consideration, she has concluded that taking a break is the best course of action for her well-being.

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Besides being the host of the League of Legends EMEA Championship, she has also hosted multiple LoL World Championships. In 2021, Eefje won the annual Esports Award for the Best Host of the Year for the second year in a row. 

In her heartfelt announcement, Eefje expressed the difficulty of her decision, acknowledging her deep passion for her job and her long-standing involvement in the League of Legends community. She also showed gratitude towards Riot for being supportive of her decision to take a break.

It's important to note that Sjokz is not the only member of the LoL Esports broadcasting scene who has decided to take a step back to prioritize their mental health. Last year, her colleague Aaron "Medic" Chamberlain chose not to cast the League of Legends World Championship, recognizing the importance of focusing on his own well-being.

Similarly, Trevor "Quickshot" Henry has openly discussed his own mental health challenges and has taken time away from broadcasting to recover and come back even stronger.

For many fans, Sjokz has become an integral part of the LEC, and we sincerely wish her the very best as she takes this well-deserved break to recharge and regain her balance.

The LEC Summer split is set to kick off on June 17 and will extend all the way through July 30, with a one-week break in the first week of July.