Introduction: The S16 season has officially started, and it’s assumed that the majority of players have been paying attention to the recent clashes. The competitions in all major regions are fiercely contested, with LPL and LCK remaining the hottest leagues. In the past few days, concerns about pro players’ health have become trending topics. Young players undergo intense training with inverted schedules, which places enormous strain on their physical condition. A few days ago, Nip team’s player Care was hospitalized after vomiting blood, but he returned to the stage after emergency treatment. IG’s world champion Ning also revealed his health struggles during a recent livestream, admitting the pressure was so overwhelming he almost didn’t make it through, urging fans to take care of their health.

Ning Reveals He Was Hospitalized and Nearly Didn’t Pull Through

Most players are fairly familiar with professional esports players. The rapid growth of the esports industry has made many gamers envious of pro players, who seem to just train on games, earn high salaries, and do what they love, potentially achieving financial freedom at a young age. However, ordinary players rarely see the hardships behind the scenes. For instance, RNG once held a camp allowing regular gamers to experience a pro player's schedule, and none could endure the intense, inverted training routine pro players face.

This kind of schedule imposes significant physical stress on players. Fortunately, most esports pros are young, often pushing their bodies beyond limits to train professionally. Recently, IG’s former world champion Ning disclosed his health issues on a livestream, admitting he almost couldn’t hold on. The pressure caused intestinal obstruction, leading to hospitalization and a 14-pound weight loss. While at a public hospital, he nearly died but later went to a private hospital where he managed to relieve himself naturally; otherwise, the consequences would have been severe. It was clear he was still shaken when sharing this, as health problems can be unpredictable in severity.

It’s not just retired pros like him; many active LPL players also face health issues. A few days ago, Nip’s Care was hospitalized due to vomiting blood, though he posted pictures reassuring fans that his condition wasn’t too serious. The combination of inverted, intense training and match pressure indeed harms players’ physical and mental health. Some active players only get a few days to recover before returning to competition, or risk losing their spot to others. Those mid-tier players without much fame often have no choice but to endure the strain.

A well-known AD carry, AShu, also chose to rest this season due to health reasons. His tinnitus has become very severe, with the ringing persisting even during breaks from training. Medical experts warn that continuing such intense training could cause irreversible damage, so he requested a break after last season ended. According to Theshy, AShu is likely to return to competition in the second split. It remains to be seen if the TES team’s performance improves; it seems the team’s issues go beyond just the AD carry position since even JKL’s return hasn’t solved their problems.

Farewell Thoughts

Who would have thought that Ning, retired for several years, would be hospitalized for such an extended period due to pressure, and even reveal he almost didn’t make it? Most fans are relieved for him, recognizing that even minor issues can lead to serious consequences. After this experience, Ning will likely make some adjustments and avoid putting so much pressure on himself in the future.

What do all of you viewers think about this situation?