23.09.26 - 13:2023.09.2026 - 13:20·8m8 minutes de lecture·
Par Rabia Sayal
KC N4RRATE ahead of Champions: "Our coaching staff change helped because we kind of had a really bad team culture, and we were really negative all the time"
VALORANT Champions 2026 is starting on September 24, with the world’s best teams fighting for the final international trophy of the season. At the pre-event press conference, players discussed their journeys, expectations, and the challenges awaiting them.
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100T Asuna: "It means the world to me to be here right now and be able to still compete after seven years"
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The biggest VCT tournament of the year, VALORANT Champions 2026, is finally kicking off tomorrow, September 24, in Shanghai. Ahead of the opening matches featuring TYLOO vs G2 Esports and Team Liquid vs Paper Rex, the participating teams attended the pre-event press conference, where players answered questions from the media.
The players reflected on their journeys leading into the event, the challenges they have overcome throughout the season, and their expectations for the final international tournament of the year. From 100 Thieves returning to Champions after four years to EMEA looking to lift his first Champions trophy in the franchising system, here are the highlights from the pre-event press conference.
Questions for Pong "SiuFatBB" Ka Hei (TYLOO)
You came to Masters Toronto and shocked the world with your performance. You did something similar in Stage 2 recently in China. What can we expect from you guys at Champions this time?
Pong "SiuFatBB" Ka Hei: “For me, the priority is to be happy. I can remember when I was in Toronto; it was my first international, and I was trying to play happily. Second, I needed to enjoy the stage as much as possible so that I could show 100% of myself and also show our best performance to the whole world. And what you can expect from us this time, I really hope you can see the performance from my four teammates. This is their first time attending an international. They're all rookies, but I'm very confident that they're going to show up. They're going to pop off because our vibe is really, really great.”
Questions for Kamil "kamo" Frąckowiak (Team Liquid)
You said that you have been impressed with Ognjen "GSR" Bondžić’s performance. However, bringing in a rookie before Champions is a big risk, especially replacing an experienced player like Semyon "purp0" Borchev. Could you shed a bit more light on this decision?
Kamil "kamo" Frąckowiak: "I mean, the decision itself was made fully by the coaches. It was a shock to the players as well, but with GSR, we're going to do everything. We have four experienced players on the team, so on the stage, all of us will make sure that he's comfortable, and we will do anything to make him comfortable. This is our main focus for this tournament.”
Questions for Lee "Dambi" Hyuk-kyu (Nongshim Redforce)
Do you have the same kind of confidence level going into Champions Shanghai as you and the team did going into Santiago?
Lee "Dambi" Hyuk-kyu: “I would say back in Santiago, we had the “nothing to lose, everything to prove” mentality. So it was more of a confidence that we could actually compete and put a name for ourselves. Whereas for Champions Shanghai, it's a matter of we are in favor of the meta. We are pretty confident, but it's a different kind of confidence.”
Questions for Marshall "N4RRATE" Massey (Karmine Corp)
Karmine Corp was 0-5 in Stage 1 and ended up lifting the Stage 2 trophy. What do you think made the difference that brought you guys from the bottom to the top of the region and to Champions?
Marshall "N4RRATE" Massey: ”It's just two things. Like, we did role changes that helped us a lot. And then I think our coaching staff change helped because we kind of had a really bad team culture, and we were really negative all the time, and we weren't positive to each other. So trying to lean into more positivity and being good humans to each other was, like, the main thing that I think pushed us forward.”
Questions for Peter "Asuna" Mazuryk (100 Thieves)
This has been a long journey for you to get to VALORANT Champions. What does it personally mean to you to actually be here and be one of the favorites?
Peter "Asuna" Mazuryk: ”It feels amazing because usually, when we qualified previously, we weren't the number one favorite, like at Masters Shanghai [in 2024]. Normally, at Champs and other events, we were not really the favorites, and it feels a lot different. Obviously, this event is [open] to anyone, but we're really excited. And obviously, it means the world to me to be here right now and be able to still compete after seven years. It just feels great, and I'm happy to be in the last international before franchising is over.
100 Thieves Asuna lifting VCT Americas Stage 2 trophy. Credit: Riot Games
You played Phoenix many times in Stage 2 and ended up being the MVP as well in the tournament. How did you manage to be that effective without being predictable on one agent, and is this going to continue in Champs as well?
Asuna: I would like to thank my team for allowing me to perform so well. We have amazing coaches and amazing players that understand Phoenix theory, how we want to utilize it, and how to use as much pressure as we can with the agent. And luckily the kit is very flexible. You have a molly, which is kind of like a Sentinel; you have a wall for Controller and then a flash like Initiator, and then obviously, you know, you're a Duelist. So it's a mix and match from all kinds of kits and agents.
So luckily, being a flex player and having a very vocal voice on the team, I'm able to kind of demand how I want to play the game. And it feels really good because usually I played a much more supportive role and had to find a way to help Cryocells (Matthew Panganiban) or Timotino (Timothée Lavigne) in the beginning of the year to figure out how to maximize everything. But it feels a lot different when it's me and I'm, like, the focal point. So, it feels good.
And then for going into Champs, obviously we have our read on the meta, and things might change, things might stay the same. It really depends. But we're definitely trying to figure out what is the best, and we're really excited to showcase 100T at Champions Shanghai.”
Questions for Timofey "Chronicle" Khromov
What would it mean for you to finally bring home the Champions trophy to EMEA, and finally get the big one that you're missing in your personal trophy case?
Timofey "Chronicle" Khromov: "I'm not going to lie, I never thought about it. Obviously, EMEA has not won a trophy for years already. Not a great statistic, but I do believe that the whole region doesn't really care about it. We do know that, in good times, especially the previous year, also in 2024, we were always so close to getting the trophy as well. So, I mean, it's a matter of a moment where we will get it or not. It might be also and the last one, or we might never get the trophy at all, but who cares? About myself, honestly, I will only treat it as a bonus. Right now, I only focus on the current games, right now in the Group Stage, and that's it. Right now, I seriously have no thoughts about the trophy or something else. No point in thinking about it.”
Questions for Zheng "ZmjjKK" Yongkang
The results this season have been kind of inconsistent for EDG. What is the reason behind this inconsistency, and how is the team tackling those issues heading into Champions?
Zheng "ZmjjKK" Yongkang: “I think we need to treat these kinds of ups and downs as usual, because there will always be failures with us. On the path, we always need to gain experience from those failures. It is very important. And it is very important for us to listen to our coach, Autumn (Yoon Eu-teum), to his game plan and some of the game sets as well, the principles.”
