" Elders in the Village Witness a Sporting Event", followed by an interview with the marksman HOTU.
Chatting with Anatoly Aprosimov, the Young Sniper from the Yakut Cyber Sports Team HOTU
Meet Anatoly Aprosimov, the 21-year-old sniper from HOTU, the Yakut cyber sports team dominating the CS arena. Despite joining the team just last year, in January 2025, Anatoly has already made a big impact, earning a reputation as a top-notch sniper in major international competitions.
From University Team to Professional Esports
Anatoly's journey to HOTU started when he was a university student, where he was part of the CS team and received a scholarship for it. However, health issues forced him to take a leave of absence, and soon after, Baír, CEO of HOTU, reached out. After a successful test and bootcamp in Vladivostok, Anatoly joined the team, recognizing that there was much to learn but eager to adapt.
Friendship and Competition
Anatoly had already made friends within HOTU, being acquainted with Marik and Dimon before joining the team. These friendships helped him settle in more quickly. And while he was never directly compared to fineshine52, previously HOTU's sniper, it's clear that Anatoly is now making a name for himself in the CS world.
Historic Victory in China
In early April, HOTU achieved a historic victory in the Asian closed qualifying tournament in Shenzhen, China, securing their spot in the PGL Astana competitions. Anatoly shared his impressions of China, from the drastic temperature changes to the cleanliness of the city center compared to the living areas.
Sochi:Tests of Will and Skill
After their triumphant performance in China, the team traveled to Sochi for the Russian championship. The tournament consisted of two parts – CS and laser tag. Although HOTU won all matches in CS, they lost in laser tag, eliminating the team from the tournament. As laser tag is a highly skill-dependent game, it proved to be a challenging test for the team.
Engaging in Astana
Participating in the PGL Astana tournament was a significant milestone, with teams from the top 5 Valve Ranking competing. Although the Yakutians faced tough competition, they demonstrated resilience and growth throughout the matches.
The Cool Older Brother
Anatoly's achievements extended beyond the CS arena, earning him support and recognition from fans. His grandparents, cousins, and even younger alumni from his old school cheered him on. While he didn't seem to have been recognized around the city yet, his impact was certainly felt at his old school, where everyone knew about him.
Material Goals and the Future
Anatoly's CS earnings from tournaments will soon arrive, but the young sniper has other material goals in mind, such as undergoing laser eye surgery to correct his deteriorating vision. As for his future in esports, Anatoly plans to give it his all for a year or two before possibly returning to university to obtain an education.
Training and Growth in St. Petersburg
Post-Astana, Anatoly is determined to grow not just as a player but as a person. Aspiring to improve his skills further, he's heading to St. Petersburg for training. His journey with HOTU may have only just begun, and we're excited to see what the future holds for this talented sniper.
Is there another HOTU player you'd like to learn more about? Let us know in the comments below!
The field of play extends beyond Cyber SportsAnatoly Aprosimov's prowess extends not only to Cyber Sports but also to the traditional sports arena, with his grand ambition to join a local football team in his spare time.
Athlete, Esports Player, Sports EnthusiastA true sportsperson at heart, Anatoly Aprosimov embodies the spirit of competition and strives for excellence, whether it's on the digital battlefield or the football pitch.
