Leon “Nine” Kirilin, the former midlaner and support for Tundra Esports, has announced his departure from the team after The International 2023. Nine expressed the need to take a break from the stress and constant travel associated with professional gaming.
Tundra Esports confirmed Nine’s departure, praising his contributions to the team as “legendary.” The organization acknowledged Nine’s role in their impressive performance at TI12, where they had a flawless 8-0 record in the group stage. However, they were unable to maintain their momentum and suffered defeats in subsequent matches, ultimately finishing in the lower half of the competition.
Nine, who previously won TI11 with Tundra as their midlaner, showcased his versatility by transitioning to the position four support role during TI12. He established himself as a formidable player with a unique hero pool. However, he has now decided to take a break from competitive Dota, citing the past two years as the most stressful period of his life.
On his personal social media, Nine expressed his desire to relax and live life on his own terms. He mentioned that he will return to competitive gaming when he feels ready and if it aligns with his personal goals.
With Nine’s departure, Tundra Esports is once again left without a position four support player. The team will need to complete their roster before ESL One Kuala Lumpur in December next year.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Oliver “skiter” Lepko | Unknown |
| Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen | Unknown |
| Neta “33” Shapira | Unknown |
| Jingjun “Sneyking” Wu | Unknown |
| Kurtis “Aui_2000” Ling (coach) | Unknown |
Tundra Esports will now have to search for a new support player to complete their Dota 2 roster for the upcoming season.
Read More: Talon Esports Parts Ways with Dota 2 Roster
Source: ONEESPORTS
