Reading Time:

Published: November 1, 2023

Written by: Stefan Velikov

  • Ihor “⁠w0nderful⁠” Zhdanov makes the transfer from Sprout’s lineup
  • “I’m excited to join such a legendary organization as NAVI!” he said
  • His first challenge as part of NaVi’s roster will be at BLAST Premier Fall Final later this month

After star AWPer Oleksandr “⁠s1mple⁠” Kostyliev left Natus Vincere’s lineup, the organization has brought in young prodigy w0nderful to fill the gap.

W0nderful Joins NaVi

Ihor “⁠w0nderful⁠” Zhdanov is just 18 years of age, but he already has quite an impressive portfolio in competitive Counter-Strike. The young Ukrainian has already competed as a part of Sprout’s lineup and helped the team win a couple of smaller events during 2023. However, he will not have more opportunities, as he has been transferred to Natus Vincere for an undisclosed fee.

“I’m excited to join such a legendary organization as NAVI! It was my biggest dream ever since I started playing CS. It’s obvious, right? I know that it’s hard to fully replace a player of s1mple’s caliber and fulfill everyone’s expectations, but trust me, I’ll do everything in my power,” NaVi’s announcement quoted the young player. “Shout out to all the fans and friends who support me, and huge thanks to Natus Vincere for giving me this life-changing opportunity to step onto the big stage alongside my favorite team!”

With a rating of 1.22 across 407 maps, w0nderful is a good haul on the part of NaVi. The player’s biggest achievement is arguably a victory at the FiReLEAGUE 2022 tournament with a $150,000 prize pool, as well as a 5th-8th place at the IEM Rio Major 2022.

W0nderful comes to NaVi at a moment when the Ukrainian organization had to part ways with its star AWPer Oleksandr “⁠s1mple⁠” Kostyliev. S1mple recently announced that he is taking a break from competitive CS and there is no information on when or even if he will return to the big stage. That being said, he is still on NaVi’s inactive roster, so it is not impossible we will see him again sometime in the near future.

Meanwhile, w0nderful will go on to boot camp in Barcelona. He will have to learn to work well with the rest of NaVi’s roster, but the campo will also be the place where the team’s new performance coach, Urszula “Xirreth” Klimczak will do the same. She was brought over from ENCE earlier in October, so both professionals will have to prepare alongside NaVi for their next big challenge. That will be the BLAST Premier Fall Final, taking place on November 22-26 in Denmark, Copenhagen.

Natus Vincere’s roster currently looks like this:

  • Valeriy “⁠b1t⁠” Vakhovskiy
  • Aleksi “⁠Aleksib⁠” Virolainen
  • Justinas “⁠jL⁠” Lekavicius
  • Mihai “⁠iM⁠” Ivan
  • Ihor “⁠w0nderful⁠” Zhdanov
  • Andrey “⁠B1ad3⁠” Gorodenskiy (coach)
  • Oleksandr “⁠s1mple⁠” Kostyliev (inactive)
Check out Bitcasino for the best bonuses

From our 5 star review…

“In fact, we would argue that Bitcasino’s esports product is one of the best we have experienced. It’s simple, clear-cut, and offers a variety of products and options that other platforms are failing to deliver on.”

MORE INFO
Tags
CS:GO NaVi
Author Image
Stefan Velikov

Stefan is a well-versed gamer who loves every aspect of gaming - including its most competitive nature. He is bringing you the latest updates from the world of esports as he painstakingly tracks dozens of competitions. 

    Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [_id] => guildeaglesanonymoesports1702286100000
            [type] => 0
            [origin_id] => 21240818
            [status] => active
            [start_time] => 2023-12-11T09:15:00.000Z
            [score] => 
            [competitors] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Guild Eagles
                            [side] => home
                        )

                    [1] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Anonymo Esports
                            [side] => away
                        )

                )

            [markets] => Array
                (
                    [winner] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 6573aca229f39ee300d529a9
                            [event_id] => guildeaglesanonymoesports1702286100000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.47
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 2.47
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [total_maps] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 6573aca229f39ee300d529aa
                            [event_id] => guildeaglesanonymoesports1702286100000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => over_2.5
                                            [1] => 1.99
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => under_2.5
                                            [1] => 1.73
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [correct_score_in_maps] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 6573aca229f39ee300d529ab
                            [event_id] => guildeaglesanonymoesports1702286100000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => 2:0
                                            [1] => 2.48
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => 0:2
                                            [1] => 4.55
                                        )

                                    [2] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => 2:1
                                            [1] => 3.2
                                        )

                                    [3] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => 1:2
                                            [1] => 4.22
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [map_handicap] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 6573aca229f39ee300d529ac
                            [event_id] => guildeaglesanonymoesports1702286100000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home_-1.5
                                            [1] => 2.51
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home_1.5
                                            [1] => 1.15
                                        )

                                    [2] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away_1.5
                                            [1] => 1.46
                                        )

                                    [3] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away_-1.5
                                            [1] => 4.65
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map1] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 6573aca229f39ee300d529ad
                            [event_id] => guildeaglesanonymoesports1702286100000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.56
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 2.26
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map2] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 6573aca229f39ee300d529ae
                            [event_id] => guildeaglesanonymoesports1702286100000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.56
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 2.26
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map3] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 6573aca229f39ee300d529af
                            [event_id] => guildeaglesanonymoesports1702286100000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.59
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 2.2
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                )

            [sport] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => counter-strike
                    [name] => Counter-Strike
                    [esport] => 1
                )

            [tournament] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => counter-strike-international-t9558-compass
                    [name] => Compass
                )

            [category] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => 628a1181620f414f95577c7d
                    [key] => international
                    [name] => International
                )

        )

    [1] => Array
        (
            [_id] => wildcardnrg1702339200000
            [type] => 0
            [origin_id] => 21237215
            [status] => active
            [start_time] => 2023-12-12T00:00:00.000Z
            [score] => 
            [competitors] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => Wildcard
                            [side] => home
                        )

                    [1] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => NRG
                            [side] => away
                        )

                )

            [markets] => Array
                (
                    [winner] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65735fab2dac1704d4b490e1
                            [event_id] => wildcardnrg1702339200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.85
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 1.84
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [total_maps] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65735fab2dac1704d4b490e2
                            [event_id] => wildcardnrg1702339200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => over_2.5
                                            [1] => 1.93
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => under_2.5
                                            [1] => 1.77
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [map_handicap] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65735fab2dac1704d4b490e3
                            [event_id] => wildcardnrg1702339200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home_1.5
                                            [1] => 1.28
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home_-1.5
                                            [1] => 3.34
                                        )

                                    [2] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away_-1.5
                                            [1] => 3.33
                                        )

                                    [3] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away_1.5
                                            [1] => 1.27
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map1] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65735fab2dac1704d4b490e4
                            [event_id] => wildcardnrg1702339200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.85
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 1.85
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map2] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65735fab2dac1704d4b490e5
                            [event_id] => wildcardnrg1702339200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.85
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 1.84
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map3] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 65735fab2dac1704d4b490e6
                            [event_id] => wildcardnrg1702339200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.85
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 1.84
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                )

            [sport] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => counter-strike
                    [name] => Counter-Strike
                    [esport] => 1
                )

            [tournament] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => counter-strike-international-mythic-cup
                    [name] => Mythic Cup
                )

            [category] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => 628a1181620f414f95577c7d
                    [key] => international
                    [name] => International
                )

        )

    [2] => Array
        (
            [_id] => m80fluffyaimers1702348200000
            [type] => 0
            [origin_id] => 21237213
            [status] => active
            [start_time] => 2023-12-12T02:30:00.000Z
            [score] => 
            [competitors] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => M80
                            [side] => home
                        )

                    [1] => Array
                        (
                            [name] => FLUFFY AIMERS
                            [side] => away
                        )

                )

            [markets] => Array
                (
                    [winner] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 6573629529f39ee300d38192
                            [event_id] => m80fluffyaimers1702348200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.06
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 8.85
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [total_maps] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 6573629529f39ee300d38193
                            [event_id] => m80fluffyaimers1702348200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => over_2.5
                                            [1] => 3.11
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => under_2.5
                                            [1] => 1.31
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [map_handicap] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 6573629529f39ee300d38194
                            [event_id] => m80fluffyaimers1702348200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home_-1.5
                                            [1] => 1.36
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home_1.5
                                            [1] => 1.01
                                        )

                                    [2] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away_1.5
                                            [1] => 2.86
                                        )

                                    [3] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away_-1.5
                                            [1] => 18.7
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map1] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 6573629529f39ee300d38195
                            [event_id] => m80fluffyaimers1702348200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.1
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 6.1
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map2] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 6573629529f39ee300d38196
                            [event_id] => m80fluffyaimers1702348200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.09
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 6.27
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                    [winner_map3] => Array
                        (
                            [_id] => 6573629529f39ee300d38197
                            [event_id] => m80fluffyaimers1702348200000
                            [selections] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => home
                                            [1] => 1.13
                                        )

                                    [1] => Array
                                        (
                                            [0] => away
                                            [1] => 5.03
                                        )

                                )

                        )

                )

            [sport] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => counter-strike
                    [name] => Counter-Strike
                    [esport] => 1
                )

            [tournament] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => counter-strike-international-mythic-cup
                    [name] => Mythic Cup
                )

            [category] => Array
                (
                    [_id] => 628a1181620f414f95577c7d
                    [key] => international
                    [name] => International
                )

        )

)
1
Live odds: CS:GO

09:15 AM

Home

Away

Gui
Ano
1.47
2.47

00:00 AM

Home

Away

Wil
NRG
1.85
1.84

02:30 AM

Home

Away

M80
FLU
1.06
8.85

Similar posts

CS:GO
November 29, 2023
NRG Reveal Brand New Counter-Strike 2 Roster

After spending more than four years away from competitive Counter-Strike, NRG has decided to return to the scene by fielding a new team. NRG Announces New Roster North American esports organization NRG was created way back in late 2015 and initially fielded a CS:GO roster which was critical for the early growth and popularity of […]
CS:GO
November 27, 2023
ENCE Sign Gla1ve and Kuben

ENCE have found a new power duo in the face of new in-game leader Lukas “⁠gla1ve⁠” Rossander and coach Jakub “⁠kuben⁠” Gurczynski who bring a ton of experience to the roster. Gla1ve and Kuben Join ENCE Over the past few days, things have been moving rather fast for ENCE’s Counter-Strike 2 roster. The organization said […]
Apex Legends
November 27, 2023
British Esports and Pearson Reveal New Educational Qualifications

National esports body British Esports Federation announced its next project alongside educational services company Pearson that aims to provide more opportunities for young people wanting to work in the esports industry. British Esports Introduce New Qualifications As esports grow and become a source of prestige for countries, just like classic sports, many organizations worldwide are […]
CS:GO
November 24, 2023
Jabbi and Stavn Join Astralis’s CS2 Lineup

After jabbi and stavn were benched by Heroic, their former team, last month over rumors they have reached an agreement with Astralis, the latter organization finally confirmed the signing of both players. Astralis Signs Both Players Astralis suffered a somewhat humiliating early exit from the BLAST Fall Final after a defeat from Heroic. It seems […]
CS:GO
November 23, 2023
CS2 Hits All-Time Low Player Count

It’s been almost two months since CS2 was released, but it seems that the game has not had the popularity explosion Valve had hoped for, but instead saw hundreds of thousands of players drop it. CS2 Player Numbers Drop It’s no secret that the Counter-Strike franchise is one of the most popular FPSes in the […]
CS:GO
November 22, 2023
Gla1ve Leaves Astralis’ CS2 Team

After spending a whopping seven years with Astralis during which the team ascended to becoming the best of all time, the organization announced Lukas “⁠gla1ve⁠” Rossander is leaving. Astralis and Gla1Ve Part Ways Danish CS2 player Lukas “⁠gla1ve⁠” Rossander has stayed on Astralis’ bench since June, when he was replaced as in-game leader by Benjamin […]
CS:GO
November 21, 2023
Nexa Returns to G2’s Counter-Strike Roster

Having had his first stint with G2 between 2019 and 2021, Nemanja “nexa” Isaković returns to the European organization’s CS2 lineup. G2 Sign Nexa Often regarded as the best Serbian Counter-Strike player of all time, Nemanja “nexa” Isaković would bring a ton of experience and skill into any team he is a part of. Over […]
CS:GO
November 20, 2023
New Glitch Allows CS2 Players to Reload Faster

Counter-Strike 2 players have discovered a glitch that allows them to reload weapons faster when they switch to their knife twice, sparking a debate of how and when can this be used. Fans Discover Glitch Since the days of CS 1.6, the game has been popular for having some exploits that can allow players to […]
CS:GO
November 17, 2023
M80 Qualify For ESL Challenger Atlanta

M80 had a rough start in the North America ESL Challengers Atlanta Qualifier, but managed to push through, beating Evil Geniuses in the tournament’s finals to earn a spot at the main event. M80 Win the NA Qualifier We are less than a month away from the start of the ESL Challenger Atlanta and teams […]