Born: 1995 (Portland, Maine)
Biography:
Maria Creveling, better known as Remilia, was an American professional League of Legends player who made history as the first woman and transgender person to compete in the NA LCS. She was born and raised in Portland, Maine on February 2, 1995. Before her success in League of Legends, Remilia was an avid player of Age of Mythology and GunZ: The Duel.
Remilia began her career in professional League of Legends by playing for several semi-professional teams in the North American Challenger Series (NA CS), the NA LCS’ secondary league. On July 22, 2013, she joined her first team, Curse Academy, where she played as a support player under the in-game name Yuno in national ESL tournaments. Remilia gained attention for her mastery of the champion Thresh, earning her the nicknames Madwife and Thresh Queen, the former being a reference to another renowned Thresh player, Hong MadLife Min-gi. After leaving Curse Academy on August 12, 2013, she played for various other teams in an attempt to qualify for the NA CS.
On March 9, 2015, Remilia joined Misfits NA’s inaugural roster and changed her in-game name to Remilia as a reference to the Touhou Project character Remilia Scarlet. Her hard work paid off when she qualified for the NA CS on June 16, 2015, after defeating Magnetic at the 2015 NA CS Summer Qualifier. Misfits NA later rebranded to Renegades, and the team went on to secure their spot in the 2016 NA LCS Spring Split by defeating Team Coast in the 2015 NA CS Summer Finals.
On January 16, 2016, Remilia made history as she debuted as the NA LCS’ first female and transgender player. Her achievement brought attention and visibility to underrepresented groups within the esports community. Unfortunately, after playing a third of the season’s games, Remilia decided to step down from the starting roster due to the immense on-stage pressure and relentless online harassment she faced.
Two years after her departure, Remilia revealed on Twitter the true reason behind her sudden decision. A botched sex reassignment surgery had caused severe and permanent nerve damage to her pelvic area, resulting in excruciating pain while playing on stage. This revelation shed light on the physical and mental challenges Remilia had endured during her time as a professional player.
Despite the hardships she faced, Remilia continued her passion for the game after an eight-month hiatus. In October 2016, she joined the Latin American team Kaos Latin Gamers under the in-game name Sakuya and played for the team until January 2017. Her dedication and resilience in returning to the competitive scene displayed her unwavering love for the game.
Remilia’s impact on the esports community cannot be understated. By breaking barriers as the first woman and transgender person in the NA LCS, she paved the way for greater inclusivity and acceptance in the industry. Her skills as a Thresh player earned her the respect and admiration of fans and players alike, marking her as the Thresh Queen and leaving a lasting legacy in the League of Legends community.