Natus Vincere (also known as “NAVI”) is a titan in the global esports arena. With a rich heritage in Counter-Strike and Dota 2, the Ukrainian team is famed for its vast trophy cabinet and for securing a place in history as the inaugural The International victor.
Today, NAVI continues to assert its dominance in professional gaming, reaffirming its reputation as a force to be reckoned with. Living up to its name, “Born to Win,” NaVi continues its stride as a colossus in esports!
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Natus Vincere Esports History
Join us as we explore Natus Vincere’s rich history, accolades, and relentless drive to win.
Birth of Natus Vincere
Natus Vincere (loosely translated as “born to win” in Latin) was the brainchild of the Kazakhstani sponsor Murat “Arbalet” Zhumashevich. However, it was brought to life in December 2009 by Oleksandr “ZeroGravity” Kokhanovskyi as a Counter-Strike team.
With the initial roster of Edward, markeloff, starix, ceh9, and Zeus, NAVI quickly rose to prominence, dominating championships and amassing a massive fan base. In 2010, NAVI’s influence expanded to Dota 2, becoming a behemoth that stormed to The International finals.
NaVi’s Early Years
NaVi has maintained its status as a global contender in Counter-Strike and Dota 2, bagging numerous championships while expanding to other games like FIFA, StarCraft II, League of Legends, and World of Tanks, to name a few.
Tasting success in several games, they faced new hurdles and retired some teams. As time passed, NAVI revamped its rosters and recruited new talent to stay competitive. They continued to succeed in major tournaments, notching victories in CS:GO, Dota 2, PUBG, Apex Legends, and Rainbow Six Siege.
2021 was a landmark year, particularly for the NaVi CS:GO team, as they seized the PGL Major Stockholm 2021 and achieved high global rankings. The organization also had forays into Valorant and Rocket League at around the same time.
Despite adversity and changes, NAVI’s stature in the esports scene remains undiminished, backed by its devoted fan base.
Natus Vincere’s Dota 2 Team
After winning the first Aegis of Champions, NaVi etched its legacy in Dota 2 history. Their influence was undeniable, even after narrowly missing a three-peat at The International 2012 and 2013. A challenging phase ensued post-2014, but fans remain hopeful for NAVI’s triumphant return.
- Maxim “shigetsu” Popadinec
- Maksym “mellojul” Pnev
- Abdimalik “Malik” Sailau
- Danial “Danial” Alibaev
- Arman “Malady” Orazbayev
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Natus Vincere’s CS:GO Team
Natus Vincere’s CS:GO team holds a formidable reputation, celebrated for its triumphant history and exceptional players. Their trophy cabinet boasts victories in coveted championships like Intel Extreme Masters, BLAST Premier, and ESL Pro League, a testament to their enduring excellence.
- Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyljev
- Denis “electronic” Sharipov
- Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy
- Valerij “b1t” Vakhovsjkyj
- Andrij “npl” Kukharsjkyj
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Natus Vincere’s PUBG Team
Since debuting in 2018, Natus Vincere’s PUBG team has earned nearly $2M in winnings. They’ve clinched titles in GLL Season 1, PGI 2018 CIS Championship, and PGS: Berlin European Finals. But NAVI’s latest crowning glory was the PUBG Global Championship 2022.
- Alexandr “alya” Pirogov
- Konstantin “Mellman” Levkin
- Artem “xmpl” Adarkin
- Ivan “ubah” Kapustin
Natus Vincere’s Valorant Team
NaVi only entered Valorant in 2021 but quickly earned a position in the prestigious VCT 2023: EMEA League. After acquiring the FPX roster in 2022, NAVI triumphed in the G-LOOT Valorant Clash and clinched a 3rd-4th place at their inaugural major event, VCT 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo.
- Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasov
- Mehmet “cNed” İpek
- Dmitry “SUYGETSU” Ilyushin
- Andrey “Shao” Kiprsky
- Pontus “Zyppan” Eek
Place your Valorant bets!
Other NaVi Esports Rosters
NaVi’s esports saga extends far beyond the teams mentioned earlier. Here are some of the former divisions that added to the Ukrainian juggernaut’s rich tapestry of achievements.
- Apex Legends: Between 2019 and 2023, NAVI’s Apex Legends team placed 2nd at TwitchCon San Diego 2019 and ALGS Winter Circuit 2021. Ending with a 10th-place finish at the ALGS Championship 2021, the team amassed more than $165K in earnings during their run. Place your Apex Legends bets!
- PUBG Mobile: Natus Vincere’s PUBG: Mobile team showcased remarkable performance before disbanding in 2022, placing 4th at PMGC 2020. They upped their game the next year, clinching the 2nd spot at the PMGC 2021: League – West and Grand Finals events.
- Rainbow Six Siege: NAVI made a mark in Rainbow Six Siege shortly after debuting in 2019, placing 1st at the Pro League Season 10 Finals that year. However, maintaining this momentum proved difficult, with a series of shoddy performances leading to the team disbanding in 2023. Place your Rainbow 6 Siege bets!
- Rocket League: In late 2021, Natus Vincere’s Rocket League attempted the RLCS but struggled to maintain high-level performances. Ultimately, their journey was cut short due to a series of disappointing results. Place your Rocket League bets!
The Born to Win clan has also fielded rosters in Halo Infinite, Wild Rift, Brawl Stars, Free Fire (check out our Free Fire vs PUBG blog), and Fortnite, among many other titles!
NaVi’s Socials
Check out Natus Vincere’s official website and social media channels below.
Natus Vincere FAQs
Dive into our curated list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the NaVi esports organization.
Who Owns Natus Vincere?
Maksym Krippa, a renowned Ukrainian entrepreneur and venture capitalist, acquired majority ownership of Natus Vincere in late 2018. This pivotal transition occurred as the organization’s founder, Oleksandr Kokhanovskyi, saw the need for substantial capital infusion to take the club to new heights.
When Was Natus Vincere Created?
Natus Vincere was founded by Oleksandr “ZeroGravity” Kokhanovskyi as a Counter-Strike team on December 17, 2009, with the support of Kazakhstani benefactor Murat “Arbalet” Zhumashevich. The inaugural lineup starred esports legends Edward, markeloff, starix, ceh9, and Zeus.
How Does Natus Vincere Make Money?
Natus Vincere has a diversified revenue stream, from sponsorship deals and partnerships to content creation and brand licensing. The club also derives revenue from tournament winnings, with $20.3M+ earned from over 650 tournaments.
What Does “Natus Vincere” Mean?
“Natus Vincere” loosely translates to “born to win” in Latin. While this translation is not strictly grammatically correct, it fully embodies the team’s fighting spirit. The abbreviation NAVI was borrowed from Avatar, evolving into its present form after a fan-led naming contest.
Can You Bet On Natus Vincere With Crypto?
Absolutely! Thunderpick provides a seamless betting experience on Natus Vincere esports matches using a variety of cryptocurrencies. With Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin among the options, you can easily wager on your favorite team’s performance.