The history of NAVI

Natus Vincere, commonly known as NAVI, translates to "born to win" in Latin. This Ukrainian esports organization, based in Kyiv, has become a formidable presence in the esports world, particularly in Counter-Strike. Since its inception in 2009, NAVI has consistently demonstrated excellence and resilience, making a significant mark on the global esports scene.

Formation and Early Years (2009-2010)

In October 2009, during the Intel Extreme Masters tournament in Dubai, Murat "Arbalet" Zhumashevich announced the creation of a new esports organization. Providing the necessary financial support, Arbalet partnered with Counter-Strike professional player Serhii "starix" Ishchuk to form the initial lineup. On December 17, 2009, Natus Vincere, originally named Arbalet UA, was established with players Ioan "Edward" Sukhariev, Yehor "markeloff" Markelov, starix, Arsenii "ceh9" Trynozhenko, and Danylo "Zeus" Teslenko. The abbreviation Na'Vi was inspired by the film Avatar, with its full name chosen through a fan competition.

NAVI quickly made a name for itself in the esports community. In May 2010, the team finished second at the prestigious Arbalet Cup Europe 2010 in Stockholm. They soon achieved their first major victory at ESWC Ukraine, propelling them into the spotlight. On July 4, 2010, NAVI won the ESWC, defeating SK Gaming in the finals and becoming the first CIS team to win the championship.

Following this victory, NAVI continued their winning streak, securing first place at the Arbalet Cup Dallas and third place at GameGune 2010 and Intel Extreme Masters Shanghai. In October 2010, they claimed the World Cyber Games title, making them the first team to hold the three most prestigious championship titles simultaneously (IEM, ESWC, WCG). NAVI concluded the year by winning DreamHack Winter 2010, setting a new record for the most prize money earned by a team in a single year.

Rise to Prominence (2011-2016)

In 2011, NAVI solidified their dominance by defending their Intel Extreme Masters title in Hannover. Despite a successful year, the team faced challenges, including the departure of key players and restructuring within the organization.

The years 2015 and 2016 marked significant milestones for NAVI. They reached the finals of DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca 2015 and won the Intel Extreme Masters Season X - San Jose. In 2016, NAVI achieved victories at DreamHack Leipzig and secured notable placements at several major tournaments. However, the most transformative event was the addition of Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev to the roster in August 2016. This move heralded a new era for NAVI, as s1mple quickly became one of the most influential players in the team's history.

With s1mple on board, NAVI won ESL One: New York 2016 and continued to perform strongly in various international competitions. These years were marked by both triumphs and trials, but NAVI's resilience and ability to adapt ensured their place among the top teams in the world.

Challenges and Resilience (2017-2020)

The period from 2017 to 2020 was one of challenges and significant changes for NAVI. The team experienced several roster changes and faced stiff competition from emerging global esports teams. In 2017, team coach starix stepped down and was replaced by Andrii "Andi" Prokhorov. The departures of Denis "seized" Kostin and Ladislav "GuardiaN" Kovács led to the return of Zeus and the addition of Denis "electroNic" Sharipov in 2017, which rejuvenated the lineup.

Despite the changes, NAVI achieved considerable success. They won ESL One Cologne 2018 and continued to be a formidable competitor in various tournaments. However, internal and external pressures, as well as the evolving esports landscape, posed constant challenges. The organization's resilience was evident as they adapted to these changes while maintaining competitive performance.

Golden Era and Global Success (2021-2022)

The golden era of NAVI began with their historic win at the PGL Major Stockholm 2021, where they secured their first CS Major title by defeating G2 Esports. This victory solidified their reputation as one of the best teams globally. NAVI also completed the Intel Grand Slam, showcasing their dominance across multiple premier events.

In 2022, despite the Russian invasion of Ukraine, NAVI continued to excel. They reached another Major final at Antwerp and won the Blast Spring Final. The organization took a strong stand by cutting ties with its Russian holding company, ESForce, emphasizing their support for Ukraine. NAVI's ability to navigate these tumultuous times while maintaining top-tier performance demonstrated their resilience and commitment to excellence.

Adaptation and Growth (2023-Present)

In 2023, NAVI underwent a significant transformation, unveiling a new international roster with Finnish in-game leader Aleksi "⁠Aleksib⁠" Virolainen, Lithuanian Justinas "⁠jL⁠" Lekavicius, and Romanian Mihai "⁠iM⁠" Ivan, alongside s1mple and Valerii "b1t" Vakhovskyi. This new lineup faced initial challenges but quickly proved its potential by reaching the final of ESL Pro League Season 18.

With s1mple announcing a break from competitive play, leading to the inclusion of Ihor "w0nderful" Zhdanov in the active roster. Despite these changes, NAVI continued to demonstrate their strength by winning the PGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024. This victory not only marked their dominance in CS2 but also underscored the potential of their new international lineup.

NAVI's future prospects remain bright as they continue to compete at the highest level. The organization has shown an unwavering commitment to excellence, resilience in the face of challenges, and the ability to adapt to the evolving esports landscape. With a strong roster and a legacy of success, NAVI is poised to remain a dominant force in the esports world.

Conclusion

NAVI's journey from a fledgling organization in 2009 to a global esports powerhouse is a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Their rich history, marked by numerous championships and iconic players, has solidified their legacy in the world of esports. As NAVI continues to evolve and embrace new challenges, their story remains a source of inspiration for fans and aspiring esports professionals worldwide.