Bo3.gg continues to announce winners in various categories as part of the Annual Advent Awards. This time, the jury determined the esports athletes who made the biggest leap towards the top of competitive Counter-Strike and identified the main "Breakthrough of the Year."
Every year, the professional CS scene is replenished with new talents - 2023 was no exception. Before our eyes, new nicknames have appeared from Eastern Europe and other regions. Such a number of young talented esports athletes is another proof that Valve's shooter is more alive than ever and has no plans to die out.
How was the main breakthrough of 2023 determined?
To determine the nominees for the "Breakthrough of the Year" category, Bo3.gg turned to CS experts for help. Their opinions were divided, but it was still possible to identify the contenders and the winner. Various AAA respondents underwent a survey, the results of which highlighted four esports athletes, but one outpaced the others without a chance.
#4. Jimi "Jimpphat" Salo
Jimpphat opens our top list. The player is only 17 years old, and people started talking about him a few years ago. The Finnish esports athlete was noticed by the community at an early age due to his performance in FPL, but his debut at the highest level had to be postponed due to a VAC ban.
After successfully passing the academy, Salo made a successful debut for the main roster of MOUZ. In 2023, Jimpphat played 79 maps at the highest level and achieved a rating of 6.1. He has a long career ahead and a good prospect of becoming one of the best players in CS2.
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#3. Ivan "iM" Mikhail
The next player who took a huge step towards the top of the pro-CS scene was iM. In the first half of 2023, he transformed from a tier-2 player into a tier-1, leading to his transfer to Natus Vincere. He was signed not just as a "good player," but as a star. However, at the moment, he has slowed down a bit.
However, it is important to remember that, largely thanks to him, GamerLegion managed to take second place at the last major in the history of CS:GO. iM played 105 official maps at major championships and has an average rating of 6.1 for 2023.
#2. Kamil "siuhy" Szkaradek
siuhy is one of the few, if not the only, young captains ready for the tier-1 scene. Like iM, he made a name for himself as part of GamerLegion thanks to the team's results at BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023. As a result, he returned to MOUZ and led the team to victory at ESL Pro League Season 18. Scharadek has a bright future, and MOUZ for him is not the limit, but merely a springboard.
#1. Danil "donk" Kryshkovets
donk is the youngest and most promising in our list. If we put aside the fact that as a Team Spirit player, he mostly competed in the tier-2 scene, his individual performance and style of play are promising.
One of the Annual Advent Awards respondents, Mateusz "mantuu" Wilczewski, chose donk as the main "breakthrough of the year," noting: "Exceptional mechanical aim, and he's only 16 years old. He recently earned his first MVP title at a LAN."
The most resounding victory for him was the championship at BetBoom Dacha. Spirit defeated Virtus.pro in the final, and the 16-year-old donk was named the tournament MVP. It was after this performance that the whole world started talking about him, and he began to be associated with possible transfers to the best clubs. In 2023, donk played 54 maps at the highest level and earned a rating of 6.7. Will he be able to meet the expectations placed on him?
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These names will soon overshadow the legendary players in CS:GO, as the generational shift on the professional scene is getting closer and closer. The transition to CS2 will only accelerate this process. Who, in your opinion, was the "breakthrough" of 2023?
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