Kozzy and Kachoww — remember the names. The pair of teen VALORANT players from Challengers teams have rewritten the VCT EMEA record books in the span of two days, showing the world that Tier 2 talent is hella ready for the biggest stage and leaves us asking: who else is being kept secret? Enterprise Esports' kozzy and Fire Flux Esports' Kachoww each claimed the title of youngest player to secure an ace in VCT EMEA history during the ongoing VCT 2026: EMEA Stage 2 Play-In bracket. Their runs mean that at least one Challengers organization will reach the Playoffs.
The record that didn’t last 48 hours
At 17, Kachoww, made history — even if it didn’t last longer than two days. Playing for Fire Flux Esports, he recorded an ace against PCIFIC Esports, in the process becoming the youngest player ever to achieve the impressive feat in VCT EMEA. He followed this up with a second ace in the series against Team Heretics, a match Fire Flux won 2-1 to advance to the Upper Bracket Final.
The Turkish duelist's stat line from that run was unlike anything the region has seen before. He posted an average Kills per Round figure of 1.93, an average Damage per Round of 310 and an average Combat Score of 499, with the figures breaking previous VCT EMEA records.,
His jubilation will continue but his newly achieved record didn’t last long. Just 48 hours later, 16-year-old Enterprise Esports talent, kozzy, decided he could do better and took Kachoww’s mantle to become the "youngest ace" himself in his squad's victory over Gentle Mates.
Kachoww will get the chance to exact a bit of revenge almost immediately, as he faces the teen who dethroned him for a spot in the next stage. Whichever team loses, though, still has a path through the Lower Bracket.
How they got here
499 ACS. 17 YEARS OLD. pic.twitter.com/iWO6EQAmfT
— VALORANT Esports EMEA (@vct_emea) August 9, 2026
Fire Flux's road to this point started earlier this year, when the org brought in what had been the Reborn roster for the VCT EMEA Stage 2 Play-In campaign. That lineup, which includes Kachoww alongside DeadInk, hezacoil, batujnax, and reazy made the jump together from Challengers competition.
Enterprise's run has been just as compelling. They easily dismantled Gentle Mates to advance, with much of the spotlight on PaTiTek, who has drawn attention for his outspoken presence around the squad.
What this means for EMEA's Tier 2 scene
Both teams reaching the Upper Bracket Final is historical and a good story — but it’s also a structural result. At least one Challengers organization is now locked into the Playoffs, where four teams will battle for a berth at VALORANT Champions 2026 in Shanghai.
The other Upper Bracket semifinal will be an all-Turkish affair between Eternal Fire and FUT Esports, adding another layer of intrigue to the bracket. Eternal Fire have been in Tier 1 VALORANT for only two stages, yet they're already this deep.
The broader competitive picture here connects to the end of the VCT franchise system in 2027. The wind-down creates genuine incentive for Tier 2 teams to push hard now, knowing that open formats on the horizon could give young, emerging talents like kozzy and Kachoww consistent access to the top level of play.
For now, though, both teenagers have already made their mark and their names are on everyone’s lips.
What's next
The Lower Bracket run begins August 12, with eliminated teams fighting to stay alive. The Upper Bracket semifinals, including the Fire Flux vs. Enterprise matchup, are scheduled for August 15. From there, four teams will advance to the Playoffs and compete for a spot at VALORANT Champions 2026 in Shanghai.
