After more than a decade on the job dating back to 2011 when helped win the first Aegis of Champions at the inaugural iteration of The International in 2011, Clement “Puppey” Ivanov wants more of Dota 2.
This is despite the fact that his Dota 2 career is an enviable one, and he is the only remaining player to have attended every TI to date. Team Secret’s captain streak is on the line after a difficult Dota Pro Circuit season, but Puppey isn’t bothered.
The player, in an interview, explained that he’s more focused on winning games in Dota 2 rather than his longstanding Dota 2 record and wants to continue playing regardless of the year.
“I don’t really care about some narrative. Of course, it’s in my head that ‘Oh no, maybe I’m going to miss TI. Finally, I’m going to miss it,’ or something like that. But some things are just bound to happen, and you shouldn’t really worry about it. I just think in the moment and try to win the game. If I put everything into it and I lose, at least I put everything into it.” Puppey said.
Puppey’s first TI win was with NAVI, and after 11 editions in Dota, he is yet to win the Aegis again. Despite multiple attempts with multiple teams, he’s not been that lucky. One such case was in the Last Chance Qualifier, where he finished in a shocking second-place finish.
Team Secret performance this season has been disappointing after going through three major roster shifts since December.
Speaking on the disappointments recently in TI, Puppy admits that it’s luck and things haven’t worked out well for him and the team. Puppey and Team Secret will hope to earn a place at TI12 with the regional qualifiers on Aug. 17.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu
