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In this special series of in-depth articles, Esports News UK, in collaboration with the betting partner GGBET UK, delves into the stories, moments, and personalities that have left a lasting impression on the past, present, and future of the UK esports scene.
UK Valorant has a deep pool of talent – you all know Boaster, Mistic and Benjyfishy. In this article, Kim ‘vserov’ Panagos presents five names you might not be quite so familiar with, who are poised to carry the UK scene forward in 2024 and beyond.
5. Gorilla
With Team Vitality opting for a new direction after narrowly missing out on playoffs in VCT EMEA Stage 1 this year, the UK’s very own coaching prodigy, Harry ‘Gorilla’ Mepham, has stepped into the breach to become the French side’s new head coach.
Though he’s not well known outside of UK circles, Gorilla has ample experience, having spent a couple of years working under Salah at Vitality in addition to stints as an analyst for FPX in 2022, and as head coach for a promising Vexed Gaming squad in 2021.
Gorilla has a reputation as a grinder dating back to his university days during the Beta, where he was known for staying up late in his own custom lobbies, presumably hunting for the hottest line-up tech.
4. Mads
If you’ve been following Game Changers over the last couple of years then Mads’ incandescent talent will have caught your eye. She came out of nowhere to supercharge The A Team to an incredible run through EMEA GC Contenders Series 1 in early 2023, where her team narrowly missed out on a spot in the main event.
Before long she had signed with NiP, and despite the Ninjas underwhelming, Mads continued to prove her talent on the server. More recently she’s put together strong runs for Team Script and Mad Lions Koi.
Unfortunately, her young career has been plagued by wrist injuries, and she’s currently taking a break from competition. Make no mistake though, Mads is the UK’s most talented GC prospect, so let’s hope she can get well and return to clicking heads soon.
3. aNguiSt
Until this year Ross ‘aNguiSt’ Pendleton’s career had been fairly circuitous. A Valorant journeyman, he represented five different teams in 2023 alone.
This year has been different though. Under the guidance of CGN’s maverick coach Navid ‘Kapio’ Javadi, aNguiSt has been dominating the DACH Evolution VCL.
A sentinel by trade, he’s been a consistent performer, with well timed lurks and a penchant for winning clutches.
2. Ticey
Theo ‘Ticey’ Cranshaw has been one of the breakout stars in Valorant Challengers North Polaris this year with SweetnSour.
A bullish, outspoken player, he’s been racking up the numbers in Stage 2, with a jaw dropping 265 ACS and 177 ADR at the time of writing.
A relative newcomer who grinded his way through the Beacon circuit in 2023, Ticey has really come into his own this year after giving up the IGL responsibilities to become SweetnSour’s duelist.
If he continues on this trajectory there’s a very real chance Ticey will be making waves in tier one in the near future.
1. Keiko
Coming into 2024, I was a bit nervous for Georgio ‘Keiko’ Sanassy. After joining Team Liquid, he was under immense pressure to live up to the high standards set by Sayf in 2023 as the team’s primary duelist.
It took Keiko one map to dispel all the doubt.
He dropped 37 on debut against Koi at the EMEA Kickoff, and has looked like a superstar ever since.
He ended VCT EMEA Stage 1 tied for first in First Kills Per Round with 0.19, while also placing fifth in ACS (with 226), and third in Kills Per Round with 0.81.
TL’s season has been a rollercoaster thus far, but Keiko has undoubtedly been a bright spot. It’s going to be exciting to see him continue to develop into one of EMEA’s most feared players.
See Kim ‘vserov’ Panagos’ other article on the history of UK Valorant esports here. Stay tuned for more articles powered by GGBET UK soon, and see even more UK esports history content here:
