Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasov, the in-game leader (IGL) for Natus Vincere in VALORANT, recently stepped away from competitive play after an impressive two-decade career. He made the announcement on X, formerly Twitter, signaling a major shift for one of esports’ most enduring figures. Karasov holds the distinction of being the oldest player to have competed in both the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) and the Champions event itself.
Article Summary
- Kyrylo “ANGE1” Karasov, Natus Vincere’s IGL, announced his retirement from competitive play as a player.
- The athlete is the oldest to have played in the VCT and Champions.
- The former professional player plans to work as a coach next year.
His decision, shared on Friday, September 5th, comes as a natural progression for a player who has seen it all. Competing at the highest level demands incredible focus and energy. Karasov explained that after a short break, he realized the immense dedication still required. He acknowledged putting in his best effort over the past two years, but his personal expectations no longer matched the reality of top-tier competition.
20 years of gaming comes to an end.
After taking a small break, I understood that it takes too much focus and energy for me to compete on the highest level. I truly did my best in the last 2 years, but expectation and reality unfortunately did not meet.
I still believe in my…
— NAVI ANGE1 (@OfficialANGE1) September 5, 2025
While stepping back from playing, Karasov isn’t leaving the esports scene entirely. He plans to transition into a coaching role, starting next season. This move makes perfect sense given his extensive experience. He still strongly believes in his game vision and has gathered a wealth of knowledge throughout his long career. It’s a classic case of one door closing and another, exciting door opening in the professional gaming world.
Karasov’s track record speaks volumes. In 2022, he helped FunPlus Phoenix win VALORANT Masters Copenhagen. But his roots in first-person shooter (FPS) games go much deeper. Before VALORANT, he was a long-standing fixture in Counter-Strike (CS:GO). He played in CS:GO until April 2020, notably spending six consecutive years with HellRaisers. His shift to coaching represents a valuable addition to any team looking for seasoned leadership and strategic insight.