ArtFr0st: “Sometimes, I need to support donk instead of doing something on my own. That’s the way we always played”Exclusive

Team Spirit AWPer Artyom “ArtFr0st” Kharitonov provided exclusive insights to journalist Roman Petukhov following their championship victory at BetBoom Dacha. The professional Counter-Strike 2 competitor detailed his emotional state after completing a remarkable comeback against rivals Virtus.pro in the tournament finals, while also tracing his developmental path within Team Spirit’s organization.

— Were you aware this marked the inaugural reverse sweep in a best-of-five series during an international LAN event throughout competitive Counter-Strike’s documented history?

— I had no previous knowledge of that statistical milestone.

— What emotions accompany becoming part of competitive gaming history?

— The feeling is absolutely incredible. I’m still processing the reality of our achievement and remain mentally immersed in the competitive environment. Physiological effects persist with my hands continuing to tremble from adrenaline. Achieving such a dramatic turnaround and securing the championship title brings me tremendous satisfaction and represents significant career progression.

— What specific discussions occurred before the crucial third map began?

— Hally organized an impromptu team huddle where he articulated that our previous performance didn’t reflect our established identity. Our gameplay diverged significantly from our scrimmage performances throughout the preceding month, particularly during final preparation week. He emphasized returning to fundamental principles: enhanced concentration, improved communication, and executing strategies we’d consistently practiced. This refocusing produced immediate results as we concentrated effectively and each player delivered exceptional individual performances, ultimately playing to our proven capabilities.

— The decisive map extended into overtime and included an extended technical interruption. Did this create additional psychological strain?

— We consciously avoided scoreboard monitoring throughout the match. Personally, I refrained from checking the numerical situation, instead channeling all attention toward executing each individual round optimally.

Individual responses to the pause varied across the roster. While unaware of teammates’ specific thought processes during the break, I utilized the interval for mental recovery, intensified focus, and analytical consideration of opponent tendencies. Essentially, I extracted maximum competitive advantage from the interruption, which ultimately proved minimally disruptive and potentially beneficial to our performance.

— You underwent multiple evaluation phases before securing the primary roster position months ago. Describe your current perspective.

— The initial tryout arrived unexpectedly. Reflecting honestly, I lacked complete readiness during that assessment period. However, it represented the most significant competitive evaluation of my career, as the organization recognized my latent potential and demonstrated faith in my development. They established comprehensive support structures to accelerate my skill progression.

Following initial evaluations, management indicated I ranked as the closest contender behind w0nderful, though he presented a more immediate tactical fit. Despite this assessment, they facilitated my relocation to Moscow, where my technical abilities and strategic understanding accelerated dramatically. Previously competing from Rostov-on-Don, I contended with substandard computing equipment and connectivity issues. Home environment challenges created numerous distractions, complicating game concentration. In Moscow, I maintained singular focus and achieved accelerated development, dedicating two months to intensive training with approximately 180 gameplay hours per fortnight—a period I recall with distinct clarity.

Subsequently, we achieved respectable placements with the academy squad. I received offers from various tier-2 organizations but elected to remain for additional experience alongside Dima [S0tF1k]. Organizational leadership suggested potential future promotion to the primary roster. Choosing continuity, I participated in a second evaluation after 3-4 months, which presented difficulties due to connectivity problems and unique circumstances, though these factors proved inconsequential. Successful completion brought immense satisfaction as our three-player unit joined Team Spirit, initiating our collective competitive trajectory.

— Did transitioning alongside two teammates create a more comfortable promotion experience?

— The situation feels natural for my development. Particularly beneficial is having donk as part of the roster. He consistently demonstrates brotherly support dynamics. Integrating into the established team structure proved significantly smoother knowing I shared six months of previous competitive experience with two colleagues.

— How does collaborating with such an assertive entry fragger complement your personal gameplay methodology?

— I’ve developed strong synergy with Danil through repeated collaboration. Frequently, I prioritize enabling his aggressive plays over pursuing independent actions, reflecting our established collaborative patterns. My approach combines proactive engagement with supplementary support actions, providing team assistance wherever tactical demands arise.

— Many aspiring professionals encounter difficulties explaining esports careers to family members. What characterized your personal experience?

— Certainly. The process presented considerable challenges. I acquired my first dedicated gaming computer at age eighteen. Previously competing on laptop hardware, similar to many peers, my access faced frequent restrictions due to excessive playtime and academic attendance issues. Parental figures restricted gameplay access and remained unreceptive to demonstrations or explanations regarding potential future career pathways within the industry.

The situation remained challenging until obtaining proper equipment. Subsequently, my skill development accelerated through participation in regional LAN competitions and minor monetary achievements. Family members observed these developments and adopted more supportive attitudes. Upon joining Spirit Academy, I could comprehensively articulate my career trajectory, earning increased familial belief in my professional aspirations.

— Did championship victory at BetBoom Dacha represent part of your initial tournament expectations?

— Our primary objective involved playoff qualification with subsequent contention for finals placement. While no team members anticipated trophy acquisition initially, collective understanding existed that victory remained achievable through replication of scrimmage performances. I approached the event seeking competitive experience while aspiring to demonstrate strong performance metrics during my inaugural significant LAN tournament appearance.

— The competitive season approaches conclusion. Do you require recuperation period?

— I need brief recovery spanning 2-3 days before resuming structured practice routines.

— Following the break, RMR qualifications and Major tournament follow rapidly. How do you assess your competitive prospects?

— Given our recent championship success, we possess favorable competitive chances. We’ll monitor developments accordingly.

ArtFr0st delivered the tournament’s standout individual performance during the extended best-of-five championship final at BetBoom Dacha. This event marked the first complete reverse sweep during an international LAN throughout Counter-Strike’s competitive history. His sixteen-year-old teammate donk secured the event’s Most Valuable Player recognition—the initial such honor in his professional trajectory—and achieved status as the second-youngest competitor ever earning this distinction.

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