It’s an announcement no one saw coming. Just a few months after lifting the Esports World Cup trophy and reaching world #1 in both the VRS and HLTV rankings, The Mongolz shocked their fans by announcing the benching of one of their brightest stars and key pillars of their recent success: Senzu.
From the shadows to the spotlight
After showing early promise as IHC, The Mongolz finally found the perfect balance in late 2023. No roster changes for more than two years, constant progress, an explosive style, and an unbreakable collective. Step by step, Garidmagnai “bLitz” Byambasuren’s men climbed the global ladder. From the #50 spot in late 2023 to the top 20, then the top 10 after reaching the playoffs of the Shanghai Major 2024. Since then, deep runs have become the norm: IEM Katowice, EPL S21, IEM Melbourne, IEM Dallas, and even a Grand Final at the BLAST Austin Major 2025.
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What happened?
Officially, The Mongolz gave little detail beyond saying the decision was made “after careful discussions between players and management.” Senzu himself thanked his teammates “for everything we achieved together” adding that “it wasn’t a sudden decision” and apologizing to fans.
While it’s too early to draw conclusions, it’s clear this is not a performance issue. Senzu was statistically one of the team’s best players, boasting a 1.29 rating at the BLAST Austin Major. It would take major disagreements, health concerns, or off-server issues to justify cutting your top performer.What’s next?
According to recent information from commentator Khatanbold “KEi” Batbayar, Senzu left due to burnout. The decision reportedly came from him, not the organization, and there is still a possibility that he could return once he recovers. If this version turns out to be true, it’s a relief for both the team and fans. But it also highlights the intense pressure that comes with The MongolZ’s meteoric rise and the constant expectations at the top level.
What’s next?
The timing makes things complicated. With major events ahead, The MongolZ face strict roster-lock rules: they can’t sign players from The Huns, the country’s second-best team, nor anyone already qualified for the Major. That leaves a narrow list of options, and for now, The MongolZ have decided to use controlez as a stand-in for IEM Chengdu.
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The 28-year-old previously played in the original MongolZ roster back in 2017 for a few months and was recently benched by Chinggis Warriors. This appears to be a default choice: his age, experience, and recent form (a 1.00 rating over the last six months) don’t really match MongolZ’s current status. It seems clear that he won’t be a long-term option, so it will be interesting to see who could take his place for the Major and the months ahead.
The obvious choice: Wait for Senzu
If the burnout explanation is true, giving Senzu time off seems to be the most logical option for the team. At only 19 years old, he’s their superstar, averaging a 1.11 rating in 2025 (including 1.29 at the Austin Major), and was likely on track to become the first Mongolian player ever to enter the HLTV Top 20. Giving him time to recover while using a stand-in will inevitably hurt MongolZ’s chances at the Major and other events, but Senzu is still the best player for this team. No one else comes close to what he brings individually and structurally.
But if Senzu doesn’t come back, what are their real options?
The logical choice: an Academy player
The most straightforward move. The Mongolz launched their Academy roster earlier this year, and promoting a young player would fit perfectly with the team’s philosophy. No buyout, no negotiation, no delay, just internal development and continuity. It would send a strong message of trust in their own system, just as they’ve done before.
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However, this path comes with clear risks. The Academy roster is extremely young and lacks Tier 1 experience. What works in a Top 30 environment does not necessarily translate to a Top 5 team, where every decision, clutch, and mistake is magnified. Promoting an academy player would be a bold and symbolic choice, but also a gamble at a moment when The MongolZ can least afford to slow down.
The safe bet: a Huns or Chinggis Warriors player
With The Huns off-limits for the Major, Chinggis Warriors, the third force in Mongolian CS, could be a natural source of talent. The team has several experienced players who could fill in temporarily and help The MongolZ stay competitive. Players like Yalalt “yAmi” Oyunbileg or Tugs-Erdene “efire” Erdenebold fit the profile. They could serve as short-term replacements, helping the team through this transition while proving themselves at the Tier 1 level.
Looking further ahead, once the Major restrictions are lifted, a Huns player could become the ideal long-term solution. Tengis “sk0R” Batjargal seems like the standout candidate. Even if his in-game profile doesn’t perfectly match Senzu’s, he already played with the former IHC lineup in 2022–2023, has chemistry with several players, and maintains a strong 1.20 rating over the last six months.
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A younger option could be Anarbileg “cobrazera” Uuganbayar, 20 years old, who averages 1.18 over the same period and tends to play more supportive roles. If the team prefers an aggressive opener, Munkhtogtokh “xerolte” Enkhbat could also be considered, even though his recent numbers are more modest (1.06 rating in the last six months).
The elephant in the room: nocries
The Russo-Mongolian prodigy turning heads in North America. He speaks the language, recently trialed with FACEIT to prove it’s worth, and clearly has the mechanics to compete at a good level. Enough? Who knows. But questions remain about his current situation, his long-term plans, and especially his integration into a tight-knit roster like The Mongolz. A dream story on paper, but a complicated one to realize.
A step to overcome
The MongolZ built their rise on stability, discipline, and unity. Senzu’s departure is the first real shock in what had been a flawless project until now. For nearly two years, the roster had been a symbol of consistency in a region where teams often crumble under pressure or lack structure. Losing a core player, especially one as impactful as Senzu, will inevitably test that identity. But this is also what defines great teams: how they respond when the story stops being perfect.
Whether it means giving Senzu the time he needs, trusting a young prospect, or rebuilding around the same foundation, The MongolZ now face the kind of challenge every top team must eventually face. Pressure, expectation, fatigue, all part of the cost of staying at the top. If history tells us anything about them, it’s that they have always learned, adapted, and come back stronger. As always in Counter-Strike, it’s not the first fall that matters. It’s how you rise after it.
