Winning in the world of high-level esports is a challenging feat, and maintaining a consistent winning streak is even more elusive. Gaimin Gladiators, the dominant Dota 2 team, approached every event with no expectations to stay composed, knowing that the curse of success could be lurking around the corner.
Gaimin Gladiators made history by becoming the first team to win all three Dota Pro Circuit Majors in a single season and securing two DreamLeague titles. Their dominance in the game was unquestionable. However, their triumphs came with a price – a bigger target on their backs from both rival teams and Valve, the game’s developer.
The burden of success became evident after their fourth-place finish at the Riyadh Masters 2023, which tOfu, a support player for Gaimin, believes was the turning point for the team. Winning consistently with specific heroes or strategies often leads to nerfs and the need to adapt to new situations. Moreover, other teams start copying successful strategies, forcing Gaimin to play against themselves and rethink their approach. This adjustment period took a toll on the team, ultimately affecting their performance towards the end of the season.
Despite this setback, Gaimin Gladiators bounced back at BetBoom Dacha, clinching a first-place victory after a month-long break from the game. This break was crucial for the team, as tOfu revealed that he intentionally avoided playing Dota during the bootcamp for Riyadh. The break allowed the players to reset mentally and make the necessary adjustments for future events.
Riyadh Masters and DL21 were not the team’s best showings, finishing fourth and seventh respectively before The International (TI). However, Gaimin Gladiators have not altered their approach to tournaments. They enter each event with no expectations, focusing solely on playing their best Dota. The team discusses the amount of time and effort they are willing to invest in each tournament, ensuring everyone is on the same page. While the stakes may be higher in major tournaments like Riyadh, Gaimin remains committed to playing without the burden of expectations.
As TI12 approached, tOfu expressed uncertainty about whether the pressure would be any different due to the lower prize pool and Gaimin’s status as one of the favorites. Nevertheless, he looked forward to testing himself at the prestigious event, relishing the opportunity to perform on the grand stage. He emphasized that as a player, there should be no additional stress, as preparation for any tournament should always be at the same level.
However, Gaimin Gladiators faced challenges in the early stages of TI12, delivering a mediocre performance in the group stage and being relegated to the lower bracket by Talon Esports. Despite this setback, they made a strong recovery, securing their spot in the main event with consecutive sweeps against Evil Geniuses and 9Pandas.
Gaimin Gladiators now face elimination against the TI12 NA Cinderella story, nouns, in the first lower bracket series for Finals Weekend. The team’s journey continues, and their fate hangs in the balance as they strive to overcome the curse of consistent winning.
Source: DOTESPORTS
