CHIRA_JUNIOR on the victory over Nigma at The International 2026: “It was tough, but I’m incredibly happy about the win.”
Team Yandex midlaner Ilya “CHIRA_JUNIOR” Chirtsov spoke in a post-match interview following their victory over Nigma Galaxy in the playoffs of The International 2026 about advancing to the upper bracket final and the support of his parents and friends.
The main difference from my last TI in 2024 is that I’m already in the top 3! I’m incredibly happy. Today turned out to be an absolutely amazing day. It was tough, but I’m incredibly happy about the win.
[I can imagine how exhausted you must be after a series like that. But here at the arena, it’s almost 3 a.m., and the most die-hard fans are still in the stands! And all over the world, thousands of people—your friends and family—are watching you. Would you like to say a few words to them?] I think my parents and friends are still watching the broadcast—it’s not that late for them right now. I really appreciate their support. I don’t even really know how to put it into words…
Team Yandex defeated Nigma Galaxy 2-1 and advanced to the upper bracket semifinals of the playoffs. The final stage of The International 2026 is taking place August 20–23 at the East Shanghai Sports Center.
