The MongolZ have announced that Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold has been moved to the bench, marking a surprising roster change for Asia’s most successful CS2 team.
According to the organization, the move “was made after careful discussions between players and management.” It comes just two weeks after the team failed to qualify for the playoffs of ESL Pro League Season 22.
“Today, we made the difficult decision to move Senzu to the bench. Over the past years, Senzu and the boys have together written a new chapter in Mongolian esports, showcasing world class talent, dedication, and determination,” the team said in their roster change announcement on social media.
The news stunned the CS2 community, given Senzu’s crucial role in the team’s stellar 2025 campaign.
The 19-year-old rifler showed MVP-caliver performances in The MongolZ’s championship run in the Esports World Cup, which made them the first Asian team in modern Counter-Strike history to secure a legitimate S-tier title in 15 years. The team also finished runner-up in both BLAST Bounty Season 2 and FISSURE Playground 2.
Since the post-Austin Major break, Senzu has maintained an impressive 1.11 rating and was instrumental in propelling The MongolZ to the number one spot of the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) for the first time.
This marks the organization’s first roster change since September 2023, when Senzu first joined the team and became a major factor in transforming The MongolZ into a global contender and a symbol of Mongolian esports.
Following the announcement, Senzu took to social media to share his emotions about stepping away from the active lineup. “I don’t know what to say. It wasn’t (a) sudden decision. It feels like I’m leaving my home,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“We made a lot of memories together. I wish all the best things for my beloved ones. My apologies to the ones who support us. Sorry for (the) bad news,” he added.
Former teammate Ayush “mzinho” Batbold and coach Erdenedalai “maaRaa” Bayanbat expressed their support for Senzu.
The MongolZ have yet to announce who will replace Senzu. The team, fresh off a third-place finish at the Thunderpick World Championship, is gearing up for the IEM Chengdu and BLAST Rivals Fall before heading to the second and final CS2 Major of the year, the StarLadder Budapest Major.
