Rising from the Balkans: huNter-'s Thrilling Journey to Counter-Strike Glory and a Stalwart Spot in the Top 20 Players of the Year!

Nemanja "huNter-" Kovač secured his fourth consecutive spot in the Top 20 Players of the Year, powered by 1xBet, thanks to outstanding performances at three major events. Although he entered the Counter-Strike scene relatively late, attending his first Big Event at the age of 22, huNter-'s journey has been nothing short of remarkable.

Initially introduced to the game during the 1.6 days, huNter- was inspired by the success of his cousin, NiKo. His early years were spent in various Balkan projects until 2018 when Valiance transitioned to an international roster, including huNter-. Despite falling short of qualifying for the IEM Katowice Major, they later found success as CR4ZY in the StarLadder Major.

Post-Berlin Major, huNter- and nexa joined G2, marking a significant shift for the team. His breakout year was in 2020, securing the 13th position in the Top 20 rankings. G2's consistent performance, finishing second at IEM Cologne and PGL Major Stockholm, contributed to huNter-'s success.

In 2022, G2 faced ups and downs but ended on a high note by winning the BLAST Premier World Final. huNter- maintained his Top 20 standing, claiming the 14th spot. The team's momentum continued into 2023, with a strong showing at IEM Katowice, where huNter- earned an MVP medal, securing G2's second Big Event victory.

G2 briefly claimed the world No.1 ranking but faced challenges at ESL Pro League 17, leading to a drop in performance. Despite hurdles, huNter- shone at IEM Cologne, contributing to G2's title-winning campaign. The team continued their form at Gamers8, securing a semi-final spot.

However, the season had its low points, notably at IEM Sydney, where G2 fell short. Roster changes ensued, with nexa replacing jks. G2 faced mixed results at ESL Pro League Season 18, BLAST Premier Showdown, and IEM Sydney.

The BLAST World Final marked the end of the season, with G2 finishing in the top six. huNter- acknowledged challenges faced in CS2 but expressed optimism for the future. Despite inconsistency throughout the year, huNter-'s exceptional peaks at IEM Katowice and IEM Cologne secured his 13th position in the Top 20, emphasizing his ability to compete at the highest level.

As huNter- celebrates his 28th birthday, he joins an elite list of players who have maintained Top 20 status past this age. Reflecting on his four years in G2, he remains focused on team success and looks forward to new challenges in the upcoming season.