Within the historical past of The Worldwide, for the reason that inaugural Dota 2 esports occasion premiered at Gamescom 2011, solely 10 stars have lifted the Aegis of Champions twice. At The Worldwide 2025, there’s a strong likelihood a number of gamers will breathe on this rarified air when the mud settles over the Barclays Enviornment in Hamburg, Germany on September 14.
In spite of everything, The Worldwide 2025 is large open for the taking, with favorites corresponding to Staff Spirit and the defending champions, Staff Liquid, despatched packing early, and the resurgence of Chinese language Dota because of Xtreme Gaming’s flawless Swiss Stage run, sending shockwaves by way of the neighborhood.
Picture Credit score: Valve
There are 9 gamers and two coaches who followers should take particular observe of, as they’ve an opportunity to etch themselves into the historical past books.
The Aegis of Champions beckons for acquainted arms
5 of the eight groups on the Playoffs Stage at The Worldwide 2025 have a number of gamers or a coach who’ve beforehand gained the occasion. You’ll discover the record of those gamers and their respective groups outlined under:
Zhang “xiao8” Ning (Xtreme Gaming) – Gained The Worldwide 2014 with Newbee as a participant
Martin “Saksa” Sazdov (Tundra Esports) – Gained The Worldwide with the staff
Neta “33” Shapira (Tundra Esports) – Gained The Worldwide 2022 with Tundra Esports, and The Worldwide 2024 with Staff Liquid
Oliver “skiter” Lepko and Jingjun “Sneyking” Wu (Staff Falcons) – Gained The Worldwide 2022 with Tundra Esports
Kurtis “Aui_2000” Ling (Tundra Esports) – Gained The Worldwide 2015 with Evil Geniuses, and The Worldwide 2022 because the coach of Tundra Esports
Zhang “Faith_bian” Ruida and Zhang “y`” Yiping (Staff Tidebound) – Gained The Worldwide 2016 with Wings Gaming
Sumail “SumaiL” Hassan (Nigma Galaxy) – Gained The Worldwide 2015 with Evil Geniuses
Maroun “GH” Merhej (Nigma Galaxy) – Gained The Worldwide 2017 with Staff Liquid
Kuro “KuroKy” Salehi Takhasomi (Coach for Nigma Galaxy) – Gained The Worldwide 2017 with Staff Liquid as a participant
With many of those contenders on the alternative sides of the Playoffs bracket, the probabilities of a repeat champion are excessive.
There are two stars from the record above that we should focus on even additional, since they might grow to be the first-ever professional participant to elevate the Aegis of Champions thrice.
33 and Aui_2000 in search of the threepeat
No participant has ever gained The Worldwide thrice. The now-retired Finnish celebrity, Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen, has come the closest, successful The Worldwide twice with OG (turning into the primary and solely back-to-back champions in 2019) after which inserting third with Tundra Esports final yr.
Regardless of being one of many favorites, Staff Spirit crashed out of The Worldwide 2025 within the Elimination Spherical, dropping 2-0 to Staff Falcons, which suggests the one remaining participant at The Worldwide 2025 who has a shot at turning into a three-time champion is Israeli offlaner for Tundra Esports, the good Neta “33” Shapira.
At The Worldwide 2022’s Grand Remaining, Tundra Esports crushed Staff Secret 3-0, and 33 turned a world champion. With Staff Liquid at The Worldwide 2024, 33 as soon as once more lifted the Aegis of Champions, beating Gaimin Gladiators 3-0 within the Grand Remaining. He’s the primary and solely participant to ever win two The Internationals with totally different groups.
Staff Falcons’ coach, Kurtis “Aui_2000” Ling, gained The Worldwide 2015 as a participant for Evil Geniuses, and The Worldwide 2022 as a coach for Tundra Esports. He’s the primary – and nonetheless the one – particular person to ever win the occasion each as a coach and a participant.
If Staff Falcons wins The Worldwide 2025, Aui_2000 will grow to be the 2nd coach in historical past to win a The Worldwide twice (the distinction of being first goes to Staff Spirit’s Airat “Silent” Gaziev), and stay the one particular person within the historical past books to win the match as a participant and a coach.
The jury’s out on what’s extra spectacular: turning into the primary particular person ever to win the enduring occasion thrice as a participant, or as soon as as a participant, and a number of occasions as a coach.
