From Slow Trains to Five Titles: Inside the Career of Honor of Kings Legend Cat

Chen Zhengzheng — better known as Cat — is one of the most decorated players in the history of Honor of Kings, Tencent's blockbuster mobile MOBA. At just 28 years old, he has already won five international championships, earned more than $1.7 million in prize money, and seen the esports industry grow from small local tournaments into a global phenomenon . Now, he is stepping into a new role: coach .

Humble Beginnings: The Green Train to Changsha

Cat was born on May 25, 1998, in Jining, Shandong province . He started playing Honor of Kings in 2015 — the same year the game launched in China — and quickly entered local competitions .

His first real tournament was in Changsha, a long way from home. Without much money, Cat took a night ride on China's famously slow and cheap "green train" just to get there . Speaking to the South China Morning Post, he recalled those early days as a time of pure passion: "I had no idea this many people would be watching. Later I found out that, wow, there are actually people buying tickets and travelling to different cities just to watch me play" .

A Record-Breaking Professional Career

Cat turned professional in 2016, joining eStar . His breakthrough came in 2017 when he moved to QGhappy for a then-record seven-figure transfer fee — the first seven-figure transfer in KPL history . With QGhappy, Cat won three consecutive major titles: the 2017 KPL Spring Split, the 2017 Honor of Kings Champion Cup, and the 2017 KPL Fall Split .

After a brief return to eStarPro in 2018 — for a reported fee of 15 million yuan — he won two more international championships, bringing his total to five . He played primarily as a mid-laner and later as a roamer, a role he once described as "similar to that of a military strategist in ancient Chinese warfare" .

The Transition to Coaching

At 28 years old, Cat is now moving from player to coach. Recent coverage from the South China Morning Post explicitly frames him as "looking back and forward as he transitions to coaching" . The move reflects a broader trend in esports where veteran players shift into leadership roles as their competitive careers wind down .

Cat's own words reveal a grounded perspective on his legacy: "My role on the team is similar to that of a military strategist in ancient Chinese warfare, helping my team perform better by providing the optimal game plan" . That strategic mindset is precisely what makes the transition to coaching a natural fit.

Surreal Fame and the Esports World Cup in Paris

Cat appeared at the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris as a featured player, taking part in a friendly exhibition match in front of hundreds of cheering fans . The event marked the first time the Esports World Cup was held outside Riyadh, Saudi Arabia . The Honor of Kings World Cup final was contested between two Chinese teams, with KSG defeating AG.AL 4-3 in a seven-game final .

Reflecting on his career, Cat told the SCMP: "When I first turned pro, I had no idea this many people would be watching. Later I found out that, wow, there are actually people buying tickets and travelling to different cities just to watch me play. That's pretty amazing" .

Key Takeaways

• Cat's real name: Chen Zhengzheng
• Born: May 25, 1998, in Jining, Shandong, China
• First tournament: A local event in Changsha, reached by overnight slow train
• Championships: Five international Honor of Kings titles (with QGhappy and eStarPro)
• Career earnings: Over $1.7 million
• Current role: Transitioning to coaching with LGD Goose

Cat's story is a testament to how far mobile esports has come — and a reminder that even the most decorated players eventually take the next step off the stage and behind the scenes.