Cover-Credits:
During a recent Twitch stream, Janne "Gorgc" Stefanovski and Yazied "YapzOr" Jaradat delved into Filipino star Abed "Abed" Yusop's struggles to win significant titles, even with powerhouse teams like Evil Geniuses.
Abed first caught the esports world's attention when he daringly moved from his home region to the competitive scene in the West. His exceptional skills in the mid lane quickly drew parallels to another Dota 2 legend, Sumail "SumaiL" Hassan, who achieved fame by winning The International 2015 with Evil Geniuses. However, Abed's career trajectory, filled with promise and skill, has notably lacked tier-1 tournament victories.
Abed was seen as the heir to SumaiL's legacy, poised to be Dota 2's next big star. However, the Twitch stream highlighted a disconnect: Abed's immense talent has yet to translate into major tournament wins, creating a narrative of unmet potential.
Abed's Struggles to Become the Next Big Star
The comparison between Abed and SumaiL is striking. Both burst onto the scene young and full of promise, but while SumaiL quickly seized a TI victory, Abed is yet to taste such triumph. This contrast was a focal point in the stream, where Gorgc and YapzOr pondered whether Abed, at 23, might have missed his optimal window for peak performance in Dota 2.
YapzOr reflected on Abed's challenges, noting, "He's had a rough one, I would say. Yeah, they didn't win anything. Not just Shopify, like, even with EG, dude. But, yeah, you know, he was so talented for such a long time."
YapzOr proposed a potential pivot for Abed: a role switch to offlane in the coming year. Citing the age dynamics of gaming roles, YapzOr suggested,
In YapzOr’s own words he said, “ It's very simple, mate. Next year, he will have to go offlane. That's how it works. Okay, you can't stay mid until after 24. That's how it works.”
Currently, Abed continues his competitive journey with Blacklist International in his home region, aiming for a spot at ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023. The Dota 2 community watches closely, wondering if Abed can fulfill the destiny once envisioned for him as the next SumaiL. His story remains one of a prodigious talent navigating the complex world of esports, where potential and achievement often follow unpredictable paths.
