BLAST.tv Major Paris 2023 Preview - Asia

IEM Rio 2022 was a unique Major in a lot of ways. Not only did we have massive upsets in the playoffs itself, but upsets were widespread throughout every stage. The teams that surprised us the most in the Challenger's stage were the Asian/OCE teams IHC and Grayhounds, as both were picked to go 0-3 by everyone but ended up winning matches over better squads. Going into Paris with more international experience under their belt, can we expect an even better performance?

TheMongolz

Garidmagnai "⁠bLitz⁠" Byambasuren
Sodbayar "⁠Techno⁠" Munkhbold
Baatarkhuu "⁠Bart4k⁠" Batbold
Tuvshintugs "⁠Annihilation⁠" Nyamdorj
Chinguun "⁠hasteka⁠" Bayarmaa
Erdenedalai "⁠maaRaa⁠" Bayanbat (coach)

Our top dogs, TheMongolz, are the former IHC squad under a new banner. The team built further on their IEM Rio 2022 performance by having one of the best-upset runs of this year at IEM Katowice 2023. After winning over paiN and Furia, the team batted Cloud9 out of the tournament. The run showed their firepower and tactical prowess in playing a proper EU-centric style of CS.

The team no longer have Tengis "sk0R" Batjargal on their roster, despite the player receiving a sticker in the Paris Major capsules. But hasteka has been given some props from his teammates, and the team will be looking to make a splash at this Major. Given their performance at IEM Katowice 2023, they can hang with the best teams in the world. Let's hope they can earn another Major spot for Asia in CS2 by making the top 16.

Grayhound

Alistair "⁠aliStair⁠" Johnston
Joshua "⁠INS⁠" Potter
Jay "⁠Liazz⁠" Tregillgas
Simon "⁠Sico⁠" Williams
Declan "⁠Vexite⁠" Portelli

The Oceania representatives, Grayhound, are the other team to qualify for the BLAST.tv Paris Major from the Asian/Oceania region. Like IHC, they had a solid performance at the IEM Rio Major 2022, including a win over Cloud9. They also picked solid wins over 00Nation and NIP in the latest season of ESL Pro League and beat TheMongolz at the RMR.

While their style isn't conducive to playing internationally, they still have some solid pieces and can beat teams from other regions. They aren't as strong in the EU as TheMongolz, but they will be competitive at the Major regardless.

With this being the last Major for CS:GO, this is regions best shot yet at making a sizeable impact at the Majors and making a potential top-16 run. Every fan from the region will be cheering for them, hoping that they can earn laurels for the Asia-Oceania scene.