Chinese LoL Star ELK’s Shaco Pick Ignites Massive Online Controversy】
In the high‑octane world of Chinese League of Legends, a single champion pick can spark a flare of controversy that spreads across the nation’s biggest social platform. That was the case last week when Zhao Jiahao – better known to fans by his in‑game handle ELK – selected the mischievous champion Shaco, the “clown” of Runeterra, during the ban‑pick phase of a pivotal league match between Invictus Gaming (IG) and Bilibili Gaming (BLG). The move, quickly dubbed “ELK亮小丑” – loosely translated as “ELK flashed the clown” or “ELK showed the clown” – ignited a torrent of commentary on Weibo, with more than 40,000 viewers tuning in to a video of the incident in just a few hours.
18 August 2025
ELK, a former mid‑lane star for FPX who now shoulders the mid‑lane duties for BLG, has long cultivated a reputation for swagger and occasional provocation. The Shaco pick was not a random selection. In the match‑up, BLG faced off against IG’s Wei, a veteran jungler known for his composure. By choosing a champion whose very avatar is a trickster in a harlequin mask, ELK appeared to be sending a direct, if playful, challenge to his opponent.‑speaking fans seized upon the symbolism, sprinkling their posts with phrases like “嘲讽Wei” (mocking Wei) and “阴阳Wei”, a sarcastic nod to what they interpreted as a passive‑aggressive taunt.
The reaction was swift and polarized. Many netizens condemned the pick as unsportsmanlike, arguing that a professional setting should be free of theatrical gestures that distract from pure competition. Others suggested the move could have been a simple misclick – “误点” – noting that even elite players sometimes err in the heat of the moment. The misclick theory, however, struggled to gain traction against the prevailing narrative of intentional provocation.
The drama took a dramatic turn when IG, propelled by an unlikely “miracle team‑fight” win, swept the match. Social media users celebrated what they described as poetic justice, posting lines such as “被IG奇迹团赢后彻底沉默” (silenced after IG’s miracle team‑fight victory) and noting how “Wei嘴角都压不住了” (Wei could barely hide his grin). In the wake of the loss, ELK’s confidence appeared to waver, fueling a broader discourse about the cost of on‑stage bravado in a fiercely competitive league.
Beyond the immediate chatter, the episode offers a window into the dynamics of modern esports fandom in China. The massive engagement – a video garnering over 40,000 views in a short span – underscores how quickly in‑game decisions can become cultural flashpoints. For many fans, the incident is less about a single champion and more about the evolving etiquette of a sport that sits at the intersection of gaming, performance art, and celebrity.
The controversy also resurfaced old rivalries. Some commentators dragged GALA, a former BLG teammate, into the conversation, labeling ELK as “小人国国王” (the king of a petty kingdom) and drawing parallels to past confrontations. Such references highlight how individual moments can amplify existing narratives, turning a simple pick into a chapter in a larger saga of ego, rivalry, and redemption.
While it would be premature to claim that “ELK亮小丑” will reshape the League of Legends ecosystem, the incident does illustrate how memes and micro‑dramas proliferate within online communities, influencing perceptions of player conduct and team dynamics. As esports continues its march toward mainstream legitimacy, moments like these will likely prompt league officials and teams to consider clearer guidelines on sportsmanship, especially when a single click can ripple through millions of screens.
For now, the Shaco‑wielding ELK has returned to the grind, and the LPL (League of Legends Pro League) moves onward. Whether the “clown” gesture will linger as a cautionary tale or simply fade into the annals of internet banter remains to be seen, but it has already left an indelible imprint on the conversation surrounding professionalism, rivalry, and the theatrical flair that defines modern competitive gaming.
