Content Warning: This article mentions topics such as sexual misconduct and sexual assault. If you have suffered from any of the issues discussed in this article and are seeking help, please visit the Survivors Trust website to access the available helplines.
Allegations have surfaced online via Douyin, spreading to other online forums and social media platforms, regarding problematic behaviour displayed by Lynn Vision AWPer z4kr.
Sike ‘z4kr’ Zhang now faces accusations of having allegedly dated multiple women simultaneously, cheating on his girlfriend with a sex worker, resulting in the transmission of an STD, and keeping intimate pictures of women allegedly for blackmail purposes.
z4kr allegations shock the Chinese Counter-Strike community
Present allegations against z4kr spread initially on Chinese social media platforms. It appears as though they originated from a video posted by z4kr’s former girlfriend on Douyin, the Chinese version of the popular social media platform TikTok.
These allegations have now spread to other forums and platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Telegram groups, and the HLTV forum.
Both Douyin and Bilibili have been flooded with videos in China sharing, discussing, and debating the allegations.
Information about the allegations was initially leaked by a channel named “Behind the Scenes of CS2.” This channel specified that the allegations were based on the words of one of the alleged victims of z4kr’s dating spree.
Some of the correspondence referenced in the “Behind the Scenes of CS2” video also allegedly shows that the player slept with three different women in one day, calling into question the safety of the women involved in said alleged activity.
A core allegation is that his reckless activity resulted in at least one woman contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
Some responses to these allegations online also suggest that perpetuating issues regarding attitudes towards misconduct in CS2 remain.
Despite the allegations involving the potential engagement with the sex work industry, the transmission of STDs to unknowing women, and infidelity, many comments praised z4kr for “having insane game.”
Several individuals even commented that these alleged actions align with their own attitudes towards dating and women.
At the time of publishing, these allegations have not been officially verified.
Unverified allegations simultaneously surface regarding misconduct by TYLOO Mercury
Wang ‘Mercury’ Jingxiang from TYLOO has also had accusations surface of dating multiple women at the same time. These accusations have been removed from some platforms, including the HLTV forum.
Before being removed, the HLTV post titled “RIP tyloo mercury” stated the following allegations:
“He was simultaneously dating three women, one of whom was under 18. Another became pregnant, and he told her to get an abortion alone–refusing to accompany her. Enraged, the woman exposed the story. Later, all three women discovered they had been deceived by him at the same time.”
Comments on a separate HLTV forum post suggest the allegations arose due to messages shared in a private group chat. These messages were then allegedly leaked by one of the group members.
According to commenters online, the chat logs are still accessible via Chinese social media sites Douyin, Tieba, and Bilibili.
Allegations have not been officially verified. Reports vary on whether the leaked messages are a personal argument misframed or a sign of more serious misconduct.
z4kr contributes to patterns of misconduct around women and relationships in Counter-Strike
The Counter-Strike Scene has a deeply controversial history regarding misconduct allegations from its players.
In particular, comments online have drawn comparisons between the allegations raised against z4kr and historic instances of misconduct by Ukrainian player Danylo ‘Zeus’ Teslenko and Mathieu ‘Maniac’ Quinquerez.
Zeus became embroiled in a scandal after publicly posting about sleeping with a Chinese woman at the Shanghai Major in December 2024.
These posts included videos where the woman was either unclothed or partially clothed. The woman in question was expelled from the Dalian University of Technology as a result.
Sexual assault allegations made against former pro player turned broadcast talent, Maniac, resulted in reports of misconduct across two years. These allegations were raised in September 2024. As a result, Maniac was removed from all Counter-Strike broadcasts.
Multiple high-profile allegations of actions relating to sexual misconduct within the professional Counter-Strike community paint a concerning picture.
This issue is also not limited to Counter-Strike esports. Recently, the League of Legends community learned of historical sexual misconduct and harassment allegations against Origen co-founder. These allegations were brought to light by a former pro player. Following this, the allegations were supplemented by anonymous victims who subsequently came forward.
Whether the more recent allegations against z4kr and mercury hold weight is undetermined. They are likely to remain as such for some time.
However, as reports of misconduct continue to arise, the safety of women either working in the scene or associated with players outside of esports is brought into question.
If you have been affected by any of the topics discussed in this article and need to reach out for help, please visit The Survivors Trust. On their website, you can find links and phone numbers for major charities and organisations supporting sexual harassment and sexual assault survivors.
Hannah is a writer specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, although it may never surpass her drive to passionately beat her friends in every game of Mariokart. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ESI London, EGX, Discover: Esports and many League of Legends watch parties.
