There are some select CS:GO players who have won the two most prestigious tournaments after the Majors, the IEM Katowice and IEM Cologne, but one player has joined that prestigious list and has done so by becoming the youngest pro to ever do so.
G2’s star AWPer m0NESY joined the shortlist on Sunday, August 6, when he helped G2 win IEM Cologne as an 18-year-old, while he was also helpful as IEM Katowice won in February as a 17-year-old.
The previous record was set by former Fnatic star Jesper “JW” Wecksell, who had both championships under his belt when he was 20 years old. It is an enviable record that may not be beaten anytime soon with the trend of older players winning, and experienced CS pros usually win the biggest tournaments.
M0NESY will remain the youngest to do so CS:GO as the CS2 is launching worldwide this summer, and all tournaments will switch to it afterwards.
The other pros who have won both Katowice and Cologne Other than m0NESY and the rest of the current G2 players—NiKo, huNter-, jks, and HooX are:
Fnatic: JW, flusha, olofmeister, KRIMZ, pronax.
Natus Vincere: s1mple, electroNic, flamie, Boombl4, Perfecto.
FaZe Clan: karrigan, rain, Twistzz, broky, and r opz
Note: Jks also played some matches, including the grand finals, as a stand-in.
Meanwhile, m0NESY averaged a 1.34 rating across 14 maps played in the tournament, just behind NiKo in that regard (1.35 rating) and was close to becoming the MVP of IEM Cologne 2023. The two players were the best players individually throughout G2’s campaign. The tournament was a $1 million tournament.
G2 defeated ENCE 3-1 after an incredible run through the Cathedral of Counter-Strike on August 6 in the grand final of IEM Cologne.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu
