Who are The MongolZ? How Mongolia Rose to the Top of Counter-Strike 2
Imagine a country where endless steppes stretch to the horizon, while internet cafes in cities buzz with the sound of keyboards. This is Mongolia – a place rarely associated with esports. Yet, from here emerged The MongolZ, a team that currently holds 3rd place in the VALVE rankings and 6th place on HLTV.org. Their story is more than just a record of victories; it is a saga of dreams, friendship, and perseverance, backed by the support of an entire nation. Let’s dive into how these players from Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan became the “Generation of Miracles” and why their journey inspires thousands.
The Beginning: From Failures to First Triumphs
It all started in 2013 when a group of young Mongolian gamers tried their hand at Dota 2 under the tag The MongolZ. However, two years later, they made a bold switch to CS:GO. Their debut on the big stage in 2015 was disastrous – they lost all their matches, and it seemed like the project was doomed. But the team didn’t give up. In 2016, they shocked everyone by winning gold at IEM Taipei, earning $30,000 and making the world take notice of Mongolia in esports.
The real breakthrough came later, in 2022-2023. At that time, Garidmagnai “bLitz” Byambasuren, Sodbayar “Techno4K” Munkhbold, and coach Erdenedalay “maaRaa” Bayanbat played for IHC Esports. They made it to the BLAST.tv Paris Major, proving they could compete with the best. But in mid-2023, they decided to return to their roots, revive The MongolZ, and form a new roster. They were joined by Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch, Ayush “mzinho” Batbold, and Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold. In the summer of 2024, the organization introduced the young players and called this roster the “Generation of Miracles” – and soon the world would see why.
Who They Are: Stories of the Heroes
bLitz – The Chess Genius with a Mouse
Garidmagnai was born in 2002 in bustling Ulaanbaatar. From the age of eight, he was obsessed with chess, a serious young boy defeating everyone in school tournaments and dreaming of big victories. This passion for strategy never left him. At 12, he entered a local internet cafe, where old computers hummed, and discovered CS. By 18, he was leading IHC Esports, and now, as captain of The MongolZ, he is the team’s mastermind. Interestingly, chess still holds a place in his heart, and he sometimes relaxes by playing Auto Chess in Dota 2.
Techno4K – The "Mom of the Team"
Born in 2003, Sodbayar also grew up in Ulaanbaatar. As a child, he was a restless troublemaker until chess duels with bLitz taught him to channel his energy productively. At 14, he participated in a local LAN tournament, where his aggressive playstyle immediately stood out. Fun fact: Techno is a huge fan of the K-pop group NewJeans and listens to their music before matches. He also has an unusual nickname – “Mom of the Team.” It started in 2023 when, after an exhausting bootcamp, he lifted his teammates’ spirits by cooking “tsuivan,” a traditional Mongolian noodle dish. The smell of food, the laughter, and the gratitude made the moment special. Since then, before every bootcamp, he’s in the kitchen. “If Techno is cooking, we will win,” bLitz jokes.
910 – The Sniper from the Countryside
Usukhbayar, born in 2004, comes from Darkhan, a quiet city 200 kilometers from the capital. There were no internet cafes or gaming scene, but that didn’t stop him. He traveled to Ulaanbaatar for tournaments, spending hours on the road chasing his dream. Initially, he wanted to be a Dota 2 star, but at 16, he switched to CS when he couldn’t find teammates. When he joined The MongolZ in 2023, he had only 3,500 hours in CS:GO – an incredibly low number for a pro player. Now he has just over 6,000, yet he wins duels against legends like ZywOo and m0NESY. He also loves football and dreams of organizing a match between esports players and Mongolian footballers. “CS is like football, but with a mouse. We run around, but on maps, and pass the ball – with grenades,” he says.
mzinho – The Young Prodigy
Born in 2008 in Ulaanbaatar, Ayush grew up in a family where gaming was a way of life. His older brother introduced him to CS when he was just 13. He adapted quickly, and by 15, he was already playing at a professional level, becoming the youngest on the team. As a rifler and support player, he often anchors positions, makes smart rotations, and covers his teammates’ backs with remarkable composure for a 17-year-old. His youth and talent have made him a true prodigy, widely regarded as the future of Mongolian CS.
Senzu – The Triple No-Scope Magician
Born in 2006, Azbayar is also from Ulaanbaatar. At 15, he attended his first local LAN tournament, captivated by the crowd’s energy and the thrill of competition. During ESL Pro League S21, in a dramatic comeback from 2:11 against G2 on Mirage, he landed three insane no-scope AWP kills, securing victory for his team. This highlight became a viral moment in the CS community, with fans calling on VALVE to commemorate it with an in-game graffiti. Another fun fact – his name is mentioned in a song by Mongolian rapper Rokit Bay titled “Blaavgai.”
maaRaa – The Man Who Holds the Team Together
Erdenedalay was born in the 90s in Ulaanbaatar. He once dreamed of competing on the big stage himself, but a hand injury ended his playing career. Instead of leaving esports, he became a coach. Since 2015, he has been with The MongolZ, and over nine years, he has become not just a mentor but the team’s backbone. His game analysis is meticulous, breaking down every opponent’s move like a chess master. His tactical pauses often help the team turn the tide of a match. “He never gives up,” say his players.
Their Biggest Triumphs
- YaLLa Compass 2024: The first Asian team in 14 years to win an S-tier tournament. They defeated Astralis 2:1 in the semifinals and crushed Heroic 2:0 in the final, earning $200,000 and a historic title.
- Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024: Dominated the group stage, emerging as potential finalists. However, they struggled on stage and finished 5th-8th.
- IEM Katowice 2025: The first Asian team to reach the playoffs of the legendary Spodek Arena. After beating Eternal Fire in the quarterfinals, they fell to Vitality in the semis.
- ESL Pro League S21: Shocked the world by eliminating NAVI 2:0 in March 2025. Once again, Vitality denied them a grand final appearance.
Government Support: A National Esports Team
In March 2025, a unique event took place – The MongolZ were officially recognized as Mongolia’s national esports team. This was not just symbolic; the government provided them with salaries, diplomatic passports for easier travel, full funding for international competitions, and even a state-sponsored training center in Ulaanbaatar. Imagine: just a few years ago, these players were gaming in old internet cafes, and now they receive the same support as Olympic athletes.
The authorities commissioned graffiti featuring the team in the heart of the capital, and schoolchildren are now asking if CS lessons can replace physical education. Even the Minister of Sports stated: “The MongolZ are our ambassadors, showing that Mongolia can be strong not only in wrestling but also in esports.” For the team, this is a huge responsibility—they are playing not just for themselves but for the entire country.
Their Legacy in Mongolia and Beyond
The MongolZ represent more than just victories; they are a source of inspiration. Their success has ignited an esports boom in Mongolia. New teams are emerging in the country, many of which are now topping the Asian rankings.
For example, The Huns are already competing at BLAST Lisbon 2025, while ATOX and Chinggis Warriors are reaching the final stages of various qualifiers. In Ulaanbaatar, they are called “the new warriors of the steppe,” and it’s no joke – they have become a symbol of change.
