23savage: “I’m down to fight Gabbi in the ring. If it’s for charity, I can do it”

During the group stage of BetBoom Dacha Dubai 2024, we sat down with Nuengnara “23” Teeramahanon, the carry player for Aurora. The professional athlete provided comprehensive insights about evolving competitive structures within Dota 2, regional developments across Southeast Asia, Valve’s ongoing campaign against smurf accounts, and his escalating rivalry with fellow competitor Kim “Gabbi” Santos — and he certainly didn’t hold back during our conversation!

— What specific preparation methodology did your team implement for this competition?

— Following our elimination from The International qualification cycle, we utilized an extended recovery period until January before initiating intensive training camps. Our systematic bootcamp approach maintained consistent practice routines throughout the entire month, focusing on strategic refinement and mechanical execution.

— Was the entire month dedicated exclusively to training activities?

— Absolutely, we committed to approximately four weeks of concentrated preparation. The culinary environment in Kuala Lumpur significantly enhanced our training experience through nutritional optimization. During this preparation phase, we successfully secured qualification for DreamLeague Season 22 while unfortunately missing out on ESL One Birmingham 2024, creating mixed emotions about our competitive trajectory. Nevertheless, achieving participation in at least one premier tournament represents meaningful progress for our organization.

— Your team recently confirmed SunBhie as strategic coach. What timeline defines his integration into your team structure?

— His official onboarding coincides with this tournament schedule following a personal sabbatical period. The coaching transition represents a calculated evolution in our support staff composition.

— Has his coaching philosophy introduced tactical modifications to your gameplay approach?

— Our previous collaborative experiences suggest coaching consistency rather than radical transformation. We’ve established effective working relationships across multiple competitive seasons, creating foundation-based improvement rather than revolutionary change.

The team management representative contributed additional context, clarifying that the coaching engagement remains in its preliminary stages. Administrative complications including visa processing delays affected Jabz, who arrived on February 3rd, prevented organized scrimmage sessions in Dubai, explaining why the coach “hasn’t implemented substantive strategic adjustments yet.”

— Your recent public match conflict with Gabbi generated significant community discussion. What triggered this competitive tension?

— The situation originated when he initiated disrespectful commentary toward my teammate, which understandably provoked my competitive response. That encapsulates the core dynamic of our interaction.

— This development particularly intrigues Western esports observers since inter-player conflicts among Southeast Asian professionals rarely surface publicly.

— Typically, I maintain professional decorum during competitive engagements. However, this specific instance involved him targeting my colleague with inflammatory remarks during an intensely contested public match. His decision to escalate tensions at that precise competitive moment reflected in-game emotional dynamics rather than calculated hostility.

— Community discourse frequently references hypothetical ring matches between Quinn and RAMZES. Would you entertain similar competitive physical engagement with Gabbi?

— Certainly, I would participate in organized boxing competition against him. Provided the event supports charitable causes, I’m prepared to compete. [Laughs] The format requires standardized boxing regulations however. Mixed martial arts would introduce excessive physical risk, potentially approaching dangerous confrontation levels. The experience would prove physically demanding. Standard striking techniques, potentially incorporating Muay Thai elements. I possess fundamental technical understanding…

— Traditional Thai boxing? What technical distinctions separate conventional boxing from Muay Thai? Have you received formal training?

— The martial art permits knee and elbow striking techniques. My father previously operated a professional boxing facility, providing me with foundational combat sports education. [Laughs]

— What perspective do you maintain regarding Valve’s systematic banning campaigns against smurf accounts?

— While I maintain an alternate account, its competitive rating approximates 10,000 MMR. The policy implementation doesn’t personally impact my competitive routine since I’ve predominantly utilized my primary account recently. The regulatory approach provides certain advantages for professional development, since you can monitor competitor strategies through ProTracker analytics, evaluate their hero selections. This facilitates accelerated learning curves for unfamiliar hero mechanics through observational study.

— Does that account remain operational or has it encountered suspension?

— My secondary account? It maintains active status because I avoid accessing it during competitive sessions. I exercise caution regarding potential disciplinary consequences.

— Did you create the account specifically for hero mechanics practice?

— Precisely, exclusively for hero specialization training. When I achieved 12,000 MMR, I wanted to avoid compromising my… teammates’ competitive experience. [Laughs]

— We’re currently participating in BetBoom Dacha, where many analysts characterize this as elite competition due to participant quality. Do you attribute this development to the DPC structural elimination?

— Affirmative, I consider this the direct consequence of systemic changes. Traditional qualification structures would typically include three Southeast Asian squads, two South American teams, whereas contemporary tournaments predominantly feature European regional matchups. Naturally they represent the current competitive apex. Therefore, the DPC removal directly influenced these competitive dynamics.

— How would you assess the competitive landscape within the Chinese region? They currently field three or four formidable team organizations.

— They demonstrate exceptional competitive strength currently. Ame has resumed competitive play, Faith_bian has returned. Their elite competitors have rejoined the professional circuit, so I evaluate their regional strength as significantly improved compared to previous competitive seasons.

— Does the new competitive ecosystem present increased challenges for Southeast Asian teams facing international opponents? For instance, qualifying for BetBoom Dacha required direct competition against Chinese regional teams.

— Indeed, the qualification process presents considerable difficulty. However, I maintain greater apprehension toward regional competitors than international opponents. Because they possess extensive familiarity with our strategic approaches. They’re more accustomed to our playstyle patterns than teams from other geographical regions.

— Which specific opponent would you prefer to encounter during this tournament?

— I hadn’t contemplated specific matchups. Possibly OG? I consider them strategically competent, particularly new addition Wisper. The competitive engagement proves enjoyable: You consistently acquire new strategic insights through interaction with their playstyle.

— How would you characterize the tournament’s organizational quality: accommodation standards, facility conditions?

— I evaluate the hospitality provisions as exceptional within my professional experience. Every aspect meets premium standards. The environment creates vacation-like atmosphere rather than purely competitive pressure. The accommodations resemble palatial living conditions. The overall atmosphere maintains relaxed professionalism. It represents outstanding competitive opportunity.

— Do you experience competitive pressure representing Southeast Asia as the region’s sole participating team?

— Not particularly. The representation feels empowering rather than burdensome. It creates positive psychological state to embody regional representation.

— Did you enroll in the $100,000 1v1 tournament component here?

— I declined registration after calculating that prize acquisition requires minimum top-eight placement. I might encounter decisive defeat against Quinn or Malr1ne, therefore I’ll avoid time investment. My mid-lane proficiency remains comparatively underdeveloped as well. The skill level approximates 8,000 MMR, I struggle with fundamental last-hit mechanics.

— I understand that even the OG management representative participates.

— Indeed, numerous organizational staff members compete, but I anticipate facing Quinn, Nisha, or Malr1ne, and experience immediate elimination.

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No reproduction without permission：Game Guides » 23savage: “I’m down to fight Gabbi in the ring. If it’s for charity, I can do it” 23savage discusses SEA rivalries, charity boxing with Gabbi, and Dota 2's new competitive landscape