Mongolian Counter-Strike star Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold has publicly spoken for the first time about his departure from The MongolZ. During the latest episode of the FreezeTime Esport Talk Show podcast, the 20-year-old explained that the decision to step away from the starting lineup came from him, citing mental exhaustion rather than any conflict with the organization.
Senzu: “I wanted to stop”
For months, fans speculated about the reasons behind Senzu’s unexpected benching at The MongolZ. Some believed disagreements with the organization or a difficult transfer situation were behind the move. In the podcast, however, Senzu revealed that he had been struggling mentally for a long time and was close to quitting professional Counter-Strike altogether.
It was my decision. I felt like I couldn’t keep going anymore. I even thought about retiring completely.
The Mongolian rifler explained that constant pressure and accumulated emotional fatigue gradually affected both his motivation and daily life. He admitted that during that period he became withdrawn, rarely spoke to teammates, and struggled to enjoy the game.
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Burnout became the main reason
According to Senzu, his biggest problem was burnout. While he still wanted to become one of the world’s best players, he felt he was no longer doing enough to reach that level, which led him to constantly blame himself.
He also revealed that teammates and coaches noticed the change in his behavior and repeatedly tried to support him, encouraging him to communicate more and helping him through the difficult period. Despite that support, he felt stepping away from the lineup was the right decision at the time.
The MongolZ did not block his transfer
Another topic Senzu addressed was the community rumor that The MongolZ demanded an unrealistically high buyout, making it difficult for other organizations to sign him. The player firmly denied those claims, stating that the organization always involved him in discussions about his future and respected his wishes.
That wasn’t true at all. The team always asked what I wanted and tried to help me.
He added that every offer was discussed together with the organization’s management and that joining new teams was ultimately his own decision, not something forced by The MongolZ.
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Looking for a fresh start
Senzu also explained that after leaving The MongolZ he wanted to experience a completely different environment. Instead of taking a short break and returning to the same roster, he preferred testing himself in international teams to regain motivation and continue developing as a player.
The interview marks the first time Senzu has publicly addressed the circumstances surrounding one of the biggest roster moves in Asian Counter-Strike, putting an end to months of speculation about his departure from The MongolZ.
