Natus Vincere (NAVI) is one of the most iconic and successful esports club in the world. Founded in 2009 in Ukraine, NAVI quickly gained recognition for its outstanding competitive performance, mostly in Counter-Strike 1.6 and Dota 2. The organization’s name, Natus Vincere, translates from Latin as “born to win” — a motto that reflects its core philosophy.
NAVI History
Since its inception, NAVI has been a powerhouse in games like Counter-Strike (1.6, Global Offensive, and now Counter-Strike 2), NaVi Dota 2, PUBG, Rainbow Six Siege, and more. NAVI made history in 2010 by becoming the first team to win three major CS 1.6 tournaments — IEM, ESWC, and WCG — in a single year. The organization has since remained at the forefront of esports, regularly competing in prestigious events such as The International, BLAST Premier, PGL Majors, and ESL tournaments.
NAVI is also known for nurturing legendary talent, including players like Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev, widely regarded as one of the greatest CS:GO players of all time. Their rosters are often a blend of veteran experience and young rising stars, consistently delivering world-class performances.
Beyond competition, NAVI maintains a strong connection with its fanbase through engaging content, an active online presence, and a commitment to the esports community. With its distinctive black and yellow branding, NAVI has become a symbol of resilience, skill, and passion in global esports.
NAVI Founders
Natus Vincere was founded in 2009 by Murat "Arbalet" Zhumashevich and Alexander "ZeroGravity" Kokhanovsky, two visionaries with a deep passion for esports and a bold ambition to elevate Eastern European talent to the global stage. Kokhanovsky, a former Counter-Strike player and early esports entrepreneur, played a central role in shaping NAVI’s identity as a competitive and professional organization.
With strong backing from Arbalet, who was one of the first major investors in the CIS esports scene, and Kokhanovsky's leadership, NAVI quickly assembled a world-class Counter-Strike 1.6 roster. In its debut year, the team made history by winning all major international CS 1.6 tournaments — a feat that immediately placed NAVI among the elite organizations in esports.
Their founding philosophy, embodied in the Latin name Natus Vincere ("born to win"), was to build a legacy not just through victories, but through innovation, community engagement, and the development of legendary players. Over the years, this vision has turned NAVI into one of the most respected and successful esports organizations worldwide.
NAVI Initial Roster
The original Counter-Strike 1.6 lineup of Natus Vincere was assembled in late 2009 and quickly rose to international prominence in 2010. Despite being a newly formed team, NAVI made history by dominating the global CS scene, becoming the first squad to win all three major tournaments—Intel Extreme Masters IV, Electronic Sports World Cup, and World Cyber Games—within a single year.
The initial roster was:
- Yegor “markeloff” Markelov – AWPer
- Ioann “Edward” Sukhariev – Entry Fragger
- Arseniy “ceh9” Trynozhenko – Support
- Sergey “starix” Ischuk – Rifler / Secondary AWPer
- Danylo “Zeus” Teslenko – In-Game Leader
This legendary roster laid the foundation for NAVI's lasting legacy in Counter-Strike. Known for their tactical discipline and raw skill, the team became synonymous with excellence in the early 2010s and built a massive fanbase across the CIS region and beyond.
After transitioning to CS:GO, NAVI underwent various roster changes over the years, continuously adapting to the evolving competitive landscape while staying at the top tier of international competition.
By 2025, NAVI had rebuilt its Counter-Strike roster into a new-generation lineup focused on young talent and aggressive play, while maintaining the organization’s core philosophy of excellence:
- Valeriy “b1t” Vakhovskiy (Ukraine) – A consistent rifler, known for his precision and clutch potential, b1t has been a cornerstone of the team since his promotion from NAVI Junior in 2020.
- Justinas “jL” Lekavicius (Lithuania) – Joined NAVI in 2023, bringing high energy, entry fragging ability, and emotional momentum to the team.
- Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen (Finland) – The in-game leader, known for his structured calling and experience with top international teams.
- Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov (Ukraine) – An AWP prodigy who joined in 2023, quickly becoming one of the most promising snipers in the CS2 scene.
- Mihai “iM” Ivan (Romania) – A dynamic rifler, joined NAVI after an impressive run with GamerLegion at the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023.
This lineup reflects NAVI’s transition to an international core while still retaining strong ties to its Ukrainian roots. The team continues to compete at the highest level in tournaments like ESL Pro League, BLAST Premier, and PGL Majors.
Natus Vincere Former Players
Over the years, NAVI has been home to many talented players who contributed to the organization’s global success and reputation:
- Zeus (Danylo Teslenko) One of the founders and the in-game leader of NAVI’s golden era, Zeus was the heart and brain of the team. Under his leadership, NAVI won IEM Katowice 2010, ESWC 2010, and DreamHack Winter 2010. After a brief stint with Gambit, where he won a Major, he returned to NAVI and helped secure the ESL One Cologne 2018 title. He retired in 2019.
- Edward (Ioann Sukhariev) A legendary rifler, Edward was a part of NAVI from its inception and remained on the roster for nearly a decade. Known for his consistency and strong team play, he played a vital role in many of NAVI’s deep tournament runs. After NAVI, he continued his career with various CIS teams.
- flamie (Egor Vasilyev) flamie joined NAVI in 2015 and remained a core member until 2021. Known for his firepower and confidence—especially on Inferno—he was instrumental in NAVI’s second-place finish at MLG Columbus 2016 and many other top-tier events.
- seized (Denis Kostin) A key player for NAVI from 2013 to 2017, seized took on secondary calling duties and rifling roles. His strategic understanding and experience made him a valuable asset during NAVI’s competitive prime.
- Boombl4 (Kirill Mikhaylov) Joined NAVI in 2019 and took over as IGL. Under his leadership, NAVI won their first Major at PGL Major Stockholm 2021. Known for his charisma and aggressive leading style, Boombl4 became a fan favorite. He departed the roster in 2022.
- electroNic (Denis Sharipov) Joined NAVI in 2017 and quickly became a star alongside s1mple. Eventually transitioned into the in-game leader role. Known for his precise aim and versatility, electroNic helped NAVI maintain its top-tier status. In 2023, he transferred to Cloud9.
- Perfecto (Ilya Zalutskiy) Joined NAVI in 2020, providing crucial support and anchoring roles. Part of the Major-winning squad in 2021, Perfecto became known for his calm, clutch plays. He also moved to Cloud9 in 2023 alongside electroNic.
Natus Vincere Legends
Some players have become true icons of NAVI and Counter-Strike history:
s1mple (Oleksandr Kostyliev)The Ukrainian AWPer and rifler, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Joined NAVI in 2016 and has since become the face of the team. A multiple MVP award winner and ranked #1 on HLTV in 2018 and 2021, s1mple led NAVI to their historic PGL Major Stockholm 2021 victory, as well as wins at IEM Cologne 2021 and numerous other events. Known for his incredible aim and consistency.
GuardiaN (Ladislav Kovács)The Slovakian AWPer was one of the best in the world during his peak. A core part of NAVI from 2013 to 2017, he helped the team reach multiple major finals, including a runner-up finish at MLG Columbus 2016. He briefly returned in 2019. Known for his reliable AWPing and high game sense.
markeloff (Yegor Markelov)An icon of the early CS era, markeloff was a standout AWPer and rifler who played a key role in NAVI’s legendary 2010 run, winning IEM, ESWC, and DreamHack Winter. Widely regarded as one of the best snipers of his generation.
Natus Vincere Tournament Achievements
Natus Vincere, better known as NAVI, has long been a dominant force in the world of competitive Counter-Strike. From their early triumphs in CS:GO to their current run in CS2, the team has consistently been at the center of attention. Their performances in major tournaments have not only earned them numerous titles but also captured the interest of fans worldwide, especially during high-stakes matches broadcast via official CS2 live stream platforms.
Date | Placement | Tier | Type | Game | Tournament Series | Tournament Name | Result | Opponent | Prize |
2024-07-21 | 1st | S-Tier | Offline | Counter-Strike 2 | Esports World Cup | Esports World Cup 2024 | 2:1 | G2 Esports | $400,000 |
2024-03-31 | 1st | S-Tier | Offline | Counter-Strike 2 | PGL Major | PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 | 2:1 | FaZe Clan | $500,000 |
2021-12-19 | 1st | S-Tier | Offline | Global Offensive | BLAST Premier | BLAST Premier: World Final 2021 | 2:1 | Gambit Esports | $500,000 |
2021-11-28 | 1st | S-Tier | Offline | Global Offensive | BLAST Premier | BLAST Premier: Fall Finals 2021 | 2:1 | Team Vitality | $225,000 |
2021-11-07 | 1st | S-Tier | Offline | Global Offensive | PGL Major | PGL Major Stockholm 2021 | 2:0 | G2 Esports | $1,000,000 |
2021-09-12 | 1st | Points | Online/Offline | Global Offensive | ESL / Grand Slam | Intel Grand Slam Season 3 | 4/4/0 | — | $1,000,000 |
2021-07-18 | 1st | S-Tier | Offline | Global Offensive | Intel Extreme Masters | IEM XVI - Cologne | 3:0 | G2 Esports | $400,000 |
2021-01-24 | 1st | S-Tier | Online | Global Offensive | BLAST Premier | BLAST Premier: Global Final 2020 | 2:0 | Astralis | $600,000 |
2020-03-01 | 1st | S-Tier | Offline | Global Offensive | Intel Extreme Masters | IEM XIV - World Championship | 3:0 | G2 Esports | $250,000 |
2019-04-07 | 1st | S-Tier | Offline | Global Offensive | StarSeries & i-League | CS:GO Season 7 | 3:0 | Fnatic | $250,000 |
Upcoming Natus Vincere Tournaments
Natus Vincere (NAVI) continues to compete at the top tier of professional CS2, maintaining its status as one of the most respected and successful organizations in the scene. With a history of Major victories and consistent performances across ESL, IEM, and BLAST events, NAVI remains a fan favorite and a regular contender at international CS2 Tournaments.
As the competitive season progresses, NAVI is expected to participate in all major CS2 events, including the next ESL Pro League, IEM series, and the upcoming Majors. Their CS2 matches draw large viewership, and fans can follow their progress through official CS2 broadcasts and tournament platforms. With a talented roster and a renewed competitive drive, NAVI continues to aim for championship titles and cement its legacy in the CS2 era.
349
