TSW Taki: "I've been working out my hips so I can deliver the best dances at Worlds"

Đinh "Taki" Anh Tài, support of Team Secret Whales at Worlds 2025.

"We understand that people expect us to be here mainly to gain experience, but we’re not using that as an excuse to hold back our full potential"

Team Secret Whales are here to make their mark at Worlds 2025. Despite finishing as runners-up in the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP), the Vietnamese representatives are coming in full steam, aiming to bring pride to their region just like GAM Esports once did. In an exclusive interview, support of the year Đinh "Taki" Anh Tài sat down with Sheep Esports to discuss his return to the international stage, his team’s expectations in Beijing, and showing off his dance moves for the overseas crowds.

How are you feeling ahead of the tournament?

Đinh "Taki" Anh Tài: “I’m very excited to be back on the Worlds stage after such a long time. I can’t wait to play and get some wins. I also hope that when I win, I’ll be able to do my dances on stage.

You’ll be competing against Shen "Driver" Tsung-Hua for the title of biggest showman this year. We’ve already seen your dance battle in the LCP. Did you prepare any new dances for Worlds?

Taki: I’ve actually been working out my hips a lot so I can give you guys the best dance possible. I’m trying to master every dance style, and I hope I’ll have the chance to show off what I’ve prepared.

This is your first Worlds appearance since 2022 with Saigon Buffalo. What does returning to the Worlds stage mean to you, especially after being voted the best support in the LCP?

Taki: It’s been a while since I last played at an international event. I hope I can show everyone that I’m coming back stronger and more confident, and that I have a lot to show here at Worlds 2025.

Many fans are excited to see Team Secret Whales at Worlds since GAM has usually represented Vietnam. Do you see this as a revival for the Vietnamese scene, and how far do you think your team can go?

Taki: Fans are very used to seeing GAM on the international stage. Us beating them and making it to Worlds is a great opportunity to revive the whole Vietnamese League of Legends community. We’ll try to go as far as possible and do our best to bring pride to the Vietnamese people.

Team Secret Whales performed well in the regular season, though playoffs were a bit tougher. Does that mean you’re planning to 3-0 the Swiss Stage?

Taki: We’re really confident, especially since we have a history of doing well in group stages. At the same time, I think our score will either be 3-0 or 0-3—we’ll see.

What do you want fans to remember you for after Worlds?

Taki: By the end of Worlds, I hope fans and everyone watching will remember us as a young team full of energy, and see that we’re getting stronger and becoming more mature.

You’re one of the youngest teams at Worlds 2025, with the youngest player in the tournament as well. What does being here mean to you? Do you see this as a learning experience or are you already aiming for strong results this year?

Taki: As the youngest team in the league, we understand that people expect us to be here mainly to gain experience, but we’re not using that as an excuse to hold back our full potential. We believe that not only at this Worlds, but also in future international events, people will remember us as a strong and young team that brings a lot of positive energy to the scene. We’ll do our best to qualify for more international events again.”

Header Photo Credit: LCP/Riot Games