Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Dot Esports
Dot Esports
Sharmila Ganguly

This VALORANT pro endured years of roster changes for his defining moment—and VCT 2026 might be it

100 Thieves is gearing up for VCT 2026 with Peter “Asuna” Mazuryk—one of the longest-tenured pro VALORANT players—continuing to be the roster’s face for the sixth straight year. Despite surviving every roster shuffle over the years, the 22-year-old has yet to prove he’s the cornerstone 100 Thieves clearly believes he is.

A fan on Reddit tallied Asuna’s long tenure with 100 Thieves, noting that he has played alongside 23 teammates and under six head coaches during his time. His experience is only comparable to Erick “Xeppaa” Bach of Cloud9, who has been with the team since 2021 and has played alongside 18 teammates.

Asuna’s time with the organization began in October 2020, when now-retired VALORANT veterans like Spencer “Hiko” Martin, Nicholas “nitr0” Cannella, Joshua “steel” Nissan, and others backed him as he showcased the best form of his career. The roster saw its share of seasonal shuffles, and Asuna even transitioned from being a core duelist into a flex flash initiator role, yet he continued to impress throughout VCT 2021 and 2022.

SHANGHAI, CHINA - MAY 21: Peter "Asuna" Mazuryk of 100 Thieves at the VALORANT Masters Shanghai Features Day on May 20, 2024 in Shanghai, China.
Is 2026 going to be his year? Photo by Lee Aiksoon via Riot Games

In recent times, however, Asuna hasn’t quite been able to recapture the early form that once defined his rise. It’s not that he’s a weak link, but since 2023, his impact—whether in duels or on support—has rarely risen above average. He has had the opportunity to team up with some of the best VALORANT players and coaches in the scene, yet something has been holding him back from reaching the heights of his early days. Interestingly, in a cutthroat scene where underperformers are often cut without hesitation, 100 Thieves hasn’t benched Asuna a single time since 2020.

On Nov. 5, 100 Thieves confirmed that Asuna and Matthew “Cryocells” Panganiban will continue next season. Sean “bang” Bezerra is also rumored to return after spending a year (VCT 2025) with Sentinels. 

The organization is also reportedly set to hire former TSM players Jordan “vora” Pulwer and Timothée “Timotino” Lavigne, as well as coach Laurynas “Nbs” Kisielius. Fans are particularly hopeful about the revamp, with many agreeing that Nbs’ coaching style may be the key to “unlocking” Asuna’s true potential in the flex role he’s currently in.

Will Asuna finally be able to justify 100 Thieves’ unwavering faith in him come VCT 2026? Only time will tell.


Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.