Mira Talks About Family, Life After Russian Invasion, PEDs and More

With The International 2022 (TI11) beginning soon, Team Spirit is looking to become the second team to win back-to-back consecutive championships after OG as the team heads to Singapore to defend its title. However, before its journey to Singapore the team recorded a series of videos regarding the players on Youtube at a vineyard in Belgrade, Serbia.

After releasing its first episode featuring Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk, Team Spirit has released a second episode, this time featuring Miroslaw "Mira" Kolpakov as the host asked the Ukrainian support about his personal life, his first experience with the team and more.

Mira reveals the story behind renting an apartment with Yatoro

The video started off with Miroslaw "Mira" Kolpakov talking with the series host about his family, as he revealed that despite having younger siblings, he would not want them to follow in his footsteps as a professional esports player.

“Absolutely not. I don't restrict them from playing games, it's their right and interest, but it's an unreliable way of developing. I wouldn't advise them to go that way unless they realize they have a talent for it. If they do, then they should give it more time and improve it. But it requires personal traits like patience, persistence, work for food, and you have to sacrifice a lot, your social circle, interests, family, all that, it’s not worth it. Yeah, it’s cool when you get it, it looks like a dream, but the path is thorny and unreliable, so I’d advise them to do something that will definitely benefit them”. said Mira.

After talking about the possibility of Mira opening an Onlyfans account, the host asked the Ukrainian support about his family as well as the team’s relocation to Serbia when the Ukraine-Russia conflict first broke out.

“As soon as it began, they went abroad for safety reasons, it was a forced measure. They didn’t want to leave Ukraine, they liked it very much, and they just returned there from abroad cause they liked it more at home, especially my brothers. But now they’re safe and sound abroad. When it came to the team’s relocation to Serbia, I had a positive reaction because it was mentally difficult to stay in a country that was at war, however I don’t like their cuisine, too much meat for me.” said Mira.

The host then asked Mira about his journey with Team Spirit, as he previously arrived on loan from Cascade before joining the team on a permanent basis in February 2021.

“My biggest step forward was before Team Spirit when I decided to take an academic leave from university and devote myself to Dota. It was the biggest boost because I grew to a level where I was mentally and game-ready to play on the pro stage. When I joined Team Spirit, I didn't play very well and I had only one goal, to become better. I was completely focused on improving my skills.“

He also said that his teammates helped him to adapt faster into the team, as he did not know much at the time.

“I listened to my teammates, there was lots of criticism because I had never played at that level and instead of taking it personally, I converted it to developing. I didn’t get angry but used it to my advantage, and it helped me greatly. They taught me how to explore the meta, replays, and train more efficiently. I can’t say there are any big changes now, I’m just trying to broaden my skills and pool, but these are micro improvements.” said Mira.

He also revealed that Alexander "TORONTOTOKYO" Khertek in particular was very helpful as the mid laner gave him tips to become better at the game.

“I’d say that the biggest impact was from TORONTOTOKYO, he made me play like I never did to become better. Silent (team coach) contributed too, he showed me many micro moments I could improve. He told me what I should have done during a game. I was thinking about it later, like, I could have done this or that faster. I analyzed each game relying on his calls. He was just encouraging me to do it, and I was trying to process and understand it myself, but credit to him for motivating me”

The host then asked Mira about illegal substances being used in competitive esports, as there are cases where players take them to have a competitive edge. While Mira revealed that he had experimented with it before, he refused to take the substances during his professional career.

“I had an experience when I went to university, but it was experimental, I wondered what it was like. I figured out how it works, and that’s it, there’s no place for drugs in my life as long as I’m a pro player. I’m not going to disclose any names, but I know players who do that. As for me, it’s not possible because you need to be at your best mentally, toned down, not depressed or under some effect. So I think it’s hard to combine when you’re at a tournament. I wouldn’t recommend it to any newcomers who think that this will help.”

Finally, Mira revealed to the host about the story behind renting an apartment alongside Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk, as he and Yatoro stayed together for three weeks before moving out.

“It was spontaneous, Illya [Yatoro] decided to move away from his parents, and I had to move because of the problems in my personal life. It just happened at the same time, so we moved in together for about 2 or 3 weeks. However, my love life problems chased me, so we had to move out. It’s not connected to the fact that it’s bad to live with Illia, and it is bad, but I was ready to put up with it. Actually, I liked that experience, it was fun and cool” said Mira.

As of now, Team Spirit are beginning its final preparations before the TI11 Group Stages as that stage of the tournament will begin on October 15th, following the conclusion of the Last Chance Qualifiers.