They’ve been playing for a long time, reaching new heights in esports, playing in tournaments around the globe, looking for an opportunity to prove themselves on an international level and build a long-term career in the esports industry. And they’ve done it exceptionally. But what happens when the opportunity to compete representing your country arises?
Some might turn it down immediately and some might shy away from the challenge. However, some value national pride above all else. Today, we’re presenting three of the top Dota 2 players in the world who stepped out of their comfort zone and jumped at the opportunity to compete under their national flags.
Bakyt “Zayac” Emilzhanov: Born in 1998 in Kyrgyzstan, is a sound name with a lot of experience and expertise in the game. He is player that could cause you many problems, especially when he’s playing one of his signature heroes like Doom, Earth Shaker or Techies. You will have a hard time dealing with him. He’s been a part of multiple top-tier Dota 2 teams like NAVI, Hydra, and Virtus Pro, and he finally reached the peak of success with Team Secret, where he earned 2nd place at The International in 2022. When he isn’t playing Dota 2, he’s a nature lover, and we believe this is one of his main sources of creativity and endurance in esports.
Aliwi “w33haa” Omar: Born in 1995, a Romanian with Syrian heritage is another veteran of the game, with many battles on his record. He is a two-time finalist at The International. His native country will host the 15th World Esports Championship and the local support could be a massive advantage for him and his team. Before pursuing a professional Dota 2 career, w33 studied chemical engineering, which could explain all of the great combinations we’ve witnessed from him so far. Meepo, Invoker and Lina are the heroes anyone playing against him should be aware of. Currently, he’s part of the Nigma Galaxy, a prospering team with high ambitions, and in his free time, you can find him around racing cars.
Steve “Xcalibur” Ye: Born in 1997, the Swedish player with a Chinese heritage is a force to be reckoned with. His skills are widely known, and he boasts a massive streaming community. Being exceptional on Morphling, Shadow Fiend and OD, Xcalibur holds a firm grip on the mid position, making every opponent think twice, or more, about what kind of answer they need to come up with in order to keep their team in the game.
Having these players and many more together in Iasi, fighting for the legacy of their countries, will be a historic moment in the esports world and is expected to be one of the greatest battles in the esports industry thus far.
