StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025 ended with another trophy for Natus Vincere, and the main hero of the event was Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov, who was named the best player of the tournament. For the young Ukrainian AWPer, this is a special milestone: he not only demonstrated consistency but also confirmed his status as one of the strongest snipers on the current CS2 scene. In total, w0nderful played 9 maps and 186 rounds, finishing the tournament with a +42 K-D, a 1.39 K/D ratio, and an impressive 1.32 rating 3.0. These aren’t just numbers—they reflect his decisive impact on NAVI’s success.
Contribution to NAVI’s path to the trophy
- Opening match vs 9INE (2:1)
The first playoff series for NAVI wasn’t an easy one. Ancient went to the Polish side, but NAVI recovered on Nuke and Inferno, where w0nderful together with makazze turned the tide. With a 1.18 rating, he wasn’t the absolute standout, but his steadiness in clutch rounds and duels helped the team advance.
- Quarterfinal vs Passion UA (2:0)
The Ukrainian derby against the young Passion UA lineup showcased NAVI’s class. makazze and b1t were the stars here, but w0nderful remained a reliable backbone. His 1.08 rating may not look outstanding, but several key AWP saves and crucial frags on Train allowed NAVI to control the match and avoid any real intrigue.
- Semifinal vs Ninjas in Pyjamas (2:0)
This was the series where w0nderful truly came alive. In their first clash against NiP, he was the best player of the match, finishing with a sensational 1.67 rating. His composure on Nuke gave NAVI a crucial advantage, while his dominance on Inferno broke the Swedes’ resistance. This was the clearest signal that he was on track to become the best player of the whole tournament.
- Grand Final vs NiP (2:0)
The final confirmed his status. This time, iM stepped into the spotlight, but w0nderful didn’t fade into the background. With a 1.43 rating, he once again anchored NAVI’s defense with the AWP and denied NiP any comeback opportunities. His confidence in decisive rounds allowed NAVI to close the series 2–0 and lift the trophy.
A symbol of reliability in NAVI
While his teammates had flashes of individual brilliance, it was w0nderful who remained the constant driving force behind NAVI throughout the tournament. His AWP play stood out as a model of discipline and precision. He didn’t just deliver flashy frags but also created space for teammates—particularly b1t and iM—to shine in crucial moments.
Being named the best player of the tournament is a significant milestone for him. If before w0nderful was seen as a promising talent, now he has firmly established himself as a world-class sniper.
What this trophy means
For Natus Vincere, winning StarSeries wasn’t just another trophy for their cabinet—it was proof that the restructured roster can compete at the highest level. Led by Aleksib, the team showed that even through ups and downs, they can prevail when it matters.
For w0nderful, being named the best player of the tournament symbolizes the beginning of a new chapter. After several events where he stayed in the shadow of teammates, he has now claimed his first major individual award of 2025. This could become the foundation for a future fight for the title of best player in the world.
