Team Profile: Medal Esports

Not long ago, Medal Esports made headlines by announcing the league's first import players, cara and TonyPOPONY, who bring a wealth of experience and talent to the team. With this roster, the team is poised to make a strong impact in the tournament and establish themselves as formidable contenders.

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ㅤ Iman "cara" Jeffery Krupa

• Role: AWPer and In-Game Leader

• Hometown: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The skilled AWPer and strategic mastermind, cara's journey in Counter-Strike began in 2014, influenced by popular YouTube creators like ImmortalHD and Sparklez. As a child, he fondly recalls spending time with friends at cyber cafes, loading up Counter-Strike 1.6 on LAN servers and having a blast. Initially ranked as an average player, cara's dedication and natural progression led him to improve significantly by 2016. In 2017, cara's exceptional gameplay caught the attention of the local popular Blackshot team called Metamorphic. Impressed by his skills, they invited cara to join their ranks after witnessing his talent during a streamed match. He competed in numerous local LAN events alongside Metamorphic, leaving his mark on the scene and even participating in HLTV matches. Subsequently, cara joined a team called Anthrax, which comprised a core of players from Metamorphic along with the addition of wanr0. This experience proved pivotal as wanr0 instilled in him a winning mindset and imparted valuable knowledge. With a couple of years of dominating the local scene, cara decided to explore opportunities outside Malaysia. This led him to join Marzil in Bl4ze, where they emerged as one of the best teams in the South Asian region during their tenure. Unfortunately, the outbreak of COVID-19 prevented them from participating in WESG, a tournament that held immense significance for them. The disappointment fueled cara's determination, and he set his sights on Artisan Esports, which became the final stage of his CS:GO career before taking a hiatus. Now, blessed with the opportunity to compete once again, cara eagerly awaits the upcoming battles as he rejoins the competitive CS:GO scene.

Reflecting on his achievements, cara has made a significant impact in various tournaments and leagues throughout his career. Some of his notable accomplishments include reaching the top 10 in ESL Challenger League Season 40 with ARTiSAN in 2022, top 8 finishes in ESEA Open League Seasons 39 and 37, and a top 4 finish in ESEA Open League Season 38. In 2020, he achieved remarkable success with BL4ZE, securing championships in prestigious events such as TEC Pro League Season 3, Taiwan Excellence Gaming Cup, and ESL India Fall Grand Finals. His journey is filled with numerous victories and top placements across multiple tournaments, highlighting his consistency and prowess in the game.

"I am blessed with an opportunity to play competitively again and I can't wait to battle it out with everyone for the title!"
cara, IGL, Medal Esports

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ㅤ Kiran "Rossi" R

• Role: Rifler/FLEX Player

• Hometown: Bangalore, India

Rossi, embarked on his Counter-Strike journey at the age of 16 back in 2014. His passion for the game sparked in local cafes where he would play CS 1.6 for fun and engage in friendly wagers. Curiosity led him to discover CS:GO, where he realized the potential of pursuing a career in CS. As his skills developed, Rossi started playing regularly and caught the attention quickly. He had the opportunity to stand-in for teams like KTFO and Kojeng, gaining invaluable experience alongside some of the best players in the area. In 2017, he transitioned to CS:GO and immersed himself in the game, closely following online tournaments to enhance his understanding of the competitive scene. With a thirst for growth, Rossi ventured into solo ranked games on FACEIT and rapidly ascended. By November/December 2017, Bangalore's CS:GO players began to notice his talent, leading to an invitation to join Reload Gaming, where he participated in prestigious events such as ESL Indian Qualifiers, Cobex Masters, ILG (Indian Lan Gaming Cup), and Blitz Zone Cup. Demonstrating consistent performance, Rossi's exceptional gameplay earned him an offer from Team-Wings, joining their lineup as their fifth player.

In 2021, Rossi took a brief hiatus from CS:GO and explored other games due to a lack of opportunities and tournaments in the SA and SEA regions. However, the announcement of the Skyesports CS Franchise League in 2023 rekindled his passion for CS:GO. Rossi boasts an impressive list of achievements, including securing 1st place in Logitech Esports League India, Rise of Legion: March 2021, The Esports Club Pro League S1-S3, TEGC 2021, ESL India Premiership Fall 2020, and Indian LAN Gaming Season 3. He also secured 2nd place finishes in ESL India Premiership Summer 2020 and ESL India Premiership Winter 2019, as well as a notable 2nd place finish in Taiwan Excellence Gaming Cup 2019.

"The best part in boot camp, is we can build very good bonding and synergy around us. Staying together enhances our practices and daily routines. The bonus is, we can put more time as a team in-game & outside the game."
Rossi, Medal Esports

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ㅤ Antonio "TonyPOPONY" Matuco

• Role: Rifler

• Nationality: Filipino

TonyPOPONY's Counter-Strike journey began in 2015, initially playing casually in internet cafes. However, it wasn't until 2017 that he decided to take the game more seriously and joined a local team. Although they often finished in second place in local tournaments, TonyPOPONY's dedication and passion for the game started to shine through. In 2018, an opportunity arose when Derek, a former player from Bren Esports, invited him to join Cyberia Gaming Hub. Under the leadership of the veteran CS player known as Fright, TonyPOPONY gained valuable experience and learned from his teammates. The scrims and exposure to high-level CS proved instrumental in his development as a player. The journey of an esports player is not without its challenges, and TonyPOPONY has faced numerous obstacles along the way. There were times when only a select few believed in his abilities, and even his own family had doubts. However, he remained resilient, persevering through difficult times and questioning his path.

TonyPOPONY's list of achievements speaks volumes about his skills and contributions to his teams. Notable victories include being crowned champions in the SEAesport CS:GO S.E.A.L weeks 1, 3, and 4, as well as securing the championship title in ECL Season 2. His talent was also recognized in the CS:GO Community Showdown, where he emerged victorious in the 4th and 5th runs. These accomplishments, alongside strong performances in various tournaments, demonstrate TonyPOPONY's dedication, perseverance, and ability to deliver when it matters most.

"I think the biggest strength of the team is everyone being comfy with one another and being able to talk everything out. Being transparent also makes our team efficient during practice."
TonyPOPONY, Medal Esports

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ㅤ Aman "SH4DY" Virani

• Role: Entry

• Hometown: Hyderabad, India

SH4DY, is an accomplished entry-fragging rifler and his journey in the world of Counter-Strike began during the 1.6 era in 2014, where he initially played casually. It was in late 2018 that he made the transition to CS:GO, taking his passion for the game to the next level. As an entry rifler, SH4DY excels at setting the tone for his team, fearlessly charging into enemy territory and securing crucial openings. His role is vital in creating opportunities for his teammates and dictating the pace of the game.

In terms of achievements, SH4DY recently secured victory in the Delhi café qualifier organized by Skyesports. This experience allowed him to connect with his teammates, forming a bond with like-minded individuals who share the same passion and dedication for the game. Being surrounded by such a driven and passionate group of individuals was an enriching experience for SH4DY.

"The team's biggest strength is the experience that the older players bring and the firepower that I bring to the team. Its a combination that the other teams need to be wary of."
SH4DY, Medal Esports

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ㅤ Sameer "Godvexy" Sharma

• Role: Entry/Support Hybrid

• Nationality: Indian

Godvexy is known for his versatile role, seamlessly transitioning between entry fragging and providing support based on the needs of his team. He is known for his adaptability and ability to fill various roles effectively. Godvexy's CS:GO journey began in 2017 when he started playing the game with friends. As he gradually improved his skills, he began participating in tournaments, seeking more competitive experiences. In 2018, he showcased his talent by trying out for Optic Gaming and achieved a commendable position among the top 10 players. Following his success, Godvexy competed in the ESL Masters League. Additionally, he had the opportunity to participate in the Zowie Extremesland 2019 qualifier on LAN, narrowly missing a victory against Entity Gaming, the team that went on to represent India. Godvexy has participated in multiple LAN events, both locally and in various other competitions, showcasing his skills and gaining valuable experience.

"I got back into the scene as soon as I saw CS picking up pace again, I am very excited to get back into it and compete at the highest level."
Godvexy, Medal Esports

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ㅤ Suraj "naikZERA" Naik

• Role: Lurker, support & secondary AWP

• Hometown: Mumbai, India

naikZERA's journey in Counter-Strike began at the age of 16, transitioning from CS 1.6 to CS:GO in 2011. Throughout his career, he has been associated with renowned teams such as FIDATO Gaming, Vacbanned, 2EZ Gaming, and Cohesion Esports, contributing his skills and game sense to their success.

In terms of achievements, naikZERA has secured the 1st place title in the ESL India Premiership Winter Season Masters in 2021 and a notable 2nd place finish in the ESL India Premiership Fall Season Masters in 2020. naikZERA's talent and dedication also earned him recognition at the Taiwan Excellence Gaming Cup 2020, where he secured 2nd place. Furthermore, he emerged victorious in the TEC Pro League 2020 and the Asus Rog Showdown in 2021.
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ㅤ Sharan "Busterrr" Dave

• Role: Support / Anchor

• Hometown: Mumbai, India

Busterrr's journey in CS:GO began in 2014 when he started playing with the lineup consisting of Hellranger, Reflex, Powr, and Rizlation. Throughout his career, he has experienced numerous roster changes, collaborating with players like Blackhawk, Antitode, Spawn, and Psy. Together, they achieved success in various tournaments, displaying their versatility and adaptability. After a transition to VALORANT, Busterrr has returned to the CS:GO scene, officially representing Medal Esports. As a support and anchor player, Busterrr's role is vital to the team's strategy and execution. He provides the necessary support to his teammates and excels in holding down positions, ensuring stability and control for the team. Busterrr contributes to creating a strong defensive foundation and enables his teammates to shine.

"Bonding and hardcore practice are the best aspects of our boot camp"
Busterrr, Medal Esports

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