Ceh9 Reflects on Esports Journey: From Club Teams to CS Royalty

Arseny "ceh9" Trynozhenko, a name that resonates with reverence in the esports community, recently took a trip down memory lane in an interview with ENTER ESPORT NEWS. He reminisced about his grassroots beginnings and his rise to fame in the competitive Counter-Strike scene.

As a schoolboy, ceh9 and his teammates represented Club Millennium, a humble venue with ten computers in a dilapidated building. They were granted the privilege of free game time, especially on holidays like Easter, further fueling their passion for CS. It was during these early days that ceh9's talent began to crystallize.

By 2007-2008, ceh9 had made a name for himself as a formidable player in Lviv's top team, gaining recognition throughout Ukraine. His account of traveling to tournaments and the local gaming culture paints a vivid picture of the era's esports landscape, where weekend tournaments could extend into the following week due to technical hiccups, and the concept of professional organizations and salaries was still alien.

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In 2009, ceh9's career took a significant turn when he joined a team with starix, Zeus, Edward, and Markeloff—titans of the Ukrainian CS scene. He completed the roster as the fifth player, a pivotal moment that solidified his status in the esports annals.

During his blitz interview, ceh9 gave his thoughts on various topics:

• Between Markeloff and s1mple, ceh9 tips his hat to s1mple as the better player.
• When choosing between M4A4 and AK47, he doesn't hesitate to pick the AK47.
• He regards Dendi as the greatest cyber athlete of all time.
• Reflecting on personal life, he candidly shares that his first brush with alcohol was at 16.
• In a choice between Woro2K and w0nderful, ceh9 opts for Woro2K.

If he were a developer, ceh9 would implement an in-game tournament system to allow players to compete daily on a quasi-professional level, enhancing the competitive feel of casual play.

Ceh9's interview not only sheds light on his personal preferences and early experiences but also highlights the evolution of competitive gaming from its modest beginnings to the colossal industry it is today. His story is a testament to the fact that with dedication, even a kid from a small gaming club can become an esports legend.