![South Korea [KOR]](/assets/images/flags/1x1/kr.svg "South Korea [KOR]"){kind=small}
Yohwan Lim, universally known by the moniker “BoxeR”, is a South Korean professional poker player and a legendary figure in the world of esports. Widely regarded as the most influential StarCraft player of all time, Yohwan Lim successfully transitioned to professional poker in late 2013, applying the tactical brilliance that earned him the title of “The Terran Emperor” to the high-stakes tournament circuit.
Career Earnings & Rankings
With over $1,957,000 in total live tournament earnings, Yohwan Lim currently ranks 10th on the South Korea All Time Money List. According to The Hendon Mob, he achieved a career-defining milestone in 2025, recording his best-ever live cash of $136,701 after finishing 5th in the $3,000 No Limit Hold’em 6-Handed event at the 56th World Series of Poker (WSOP). His exceptional consistency throughout 2025 has propelled him to a career-high Global Poker Index (GPI) ranking of 288th in the world.
The year 2025 has been a hallmark season for Lim, marked by multiple high-stakes titles and deep runs across the United States and Asia. His recent triumphs and good records include:
-
Winner, 2025 Players Series Championship Taiwan Win the Button (February 2025).
-
Winner, WPT Prime Taiwan WPT Prime Championship (August 2025) for $93,720 (NT$ 2,813,300).
-
2nd Place, 2025 Players Series Taiwan Championship II High Roller 8-Handed (August 2025) for $27,267.
-
5th Place, 56th WSOP $3,000 No Limit Hold’em 6-Handed (June 2025) for $136,701.
-
13th Place, APT Championship Taipei Mini High Roller Championship (November 2025) for $20,380.
-
22nd Place, APT Championship Taipei High Roller Championship (November 2025) for $28,078.
His victory at the 2025 WPT Prime Taiwan was particularly notable, as Yohwan Lim outlasted a massive field to secure his largest regional title to date.
Biography & Poker Background
Originally from Seoul and currently residing in Gimpo, South Korea, Yohwan Lim is a household name in his home country due to his unparalleled success as a StarCraft champion. After a professional gaming career spanning from 1999 to 2013, which included two OSL titles and two WCG gold medals, he reinvented himself as a formidable poker professional. While he is a mainstay of prominent Asian festivals such as the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and the World Poker Tour (WPT) Prime , his recent years have been defined by a focused quest for a WSOP gold bracelet in Las Vegas. His transition is often cited as a blueprint for other esports athletes moving into mind sports, utilizing his experience with high-pressure decision-making and rapid tactical adjustments.
Play Style & Strategy
Yohwan Lim is known for a highly creative and unconventional tournament strategy, mirroring the “micro-management” style that made him a gaming icon. During his deep run in the 2025 WSOP 6-Handed event, live reporting highlighted his tactical discipline, particularly his ability to navigate high-leverage all-in situations with precise timing. His strategy often involves leveraging psychological pressure against opponents, a trait refined during his years as “The Terran Emperor”. Whether competing in “Win the Button” formats or elite “High Roller” championships, Lim combines a deep mathematical understanding of No Limit Hold’em with the resilience required to thrive in the world’s most competitive poker environments.
