Zai returns and joins forces with Kaipi

Ludwig “zai” Wåhlberg has officially returned to competitive Dota 2 following an almost one year break. Zai had taken time off following TI5 in order to focus on his studies. He just recently completed his exams and has returned to compete – joining the reformed team Kaipi. The Swedish player will assume the support role and replace Romanian player Cosmin “Masakary” Nechifor.

Ludwig “zai” Wåhlberg has finally returned to compete in Dota 2 – following a break after TI5 to focus on his school and exams. The Swedish player had ended the last year with Team Secret – placing 7-8th in the main event. The team disbanded late August following his anticipated hiatus and the departure of Artour “Arteezy” Babaev to Evil Geniuses.

Zai’s break was not shocking and had been expected. Sovann “Skim” Kim, DotaBlast’s liaison at ESL One Frankfurt, sat down for a chat with the Swedish player, shortly before Team Secret’s first games in the main event. The 17 year old talked about his post-TI plans including finishing school.

During the EPICENTER Moscow EU open qualifiers, Zai made a brief appearance playing with No Diggity – the debut of Troels “syndereN” Nielsen’s new mix including Yazied “YapzOr” Jaradat, Adrian “Era” Kryeziu and Max “qojqva” Bröcker. He did not stay with the team past the qualifiers and was officially replaced by Maurice “KheZu” Gutmann at the end of March for the official registration for the Manila Major and TI6 season.

Now that school and exams are completed, Zai is ready to return to competition.

Meanwhile, at the end of August, Armand “bOne7” Pittner reinstated Kaipi with a new mix of players. After a few roster changes, Alexandru “Comewithme” Crăciunescu rejoined his Romanian teammate and later they welcomed WehSing “SingSing” Yuen, in March. Most recently, Alaan “SexyBamboe” Faraj and Cosmin “Masakary” Nechifor joined the ranks at the end of April.

The European squad had made a blazing return only two days prior to the Manila Major open qualifiers and scorched their competition easily, becoming the first team to grab a spot in the Manila Major EU Regional Qualifiers. They cruised through the brutal best-of-one stage taking out ATN and Elements. They then wiped out Goomba Gaming, 2:0, and went full speed ahead to knock out Sqreen’s Squad.

They landed slightly short in the group stage of the Manila Major EU Regional Qualifiers – taking third place in their group with four points. Their position prevented them from advancing into the playoff stage.

Kaipi history

Kaipi was originally formed in 2012, by Asuna together with BABARRR, Johan “pieliedie” Åström and Kim “Febby” Yong-min.

The team went through numerous rosters and even organizational changes over the next four years. One composition of the team included bOne7 who joined pieliedie in February of 2013. ComeWithMe was also a part of the team that year, later, in April.

After the departure of ComeWithMe in July, the team continued on their dramatic trek, ultimately being picked up by Cloud 9. The squad took a commendable sixth place finish at The International 4. After a disappointing 9th-12th place finish at TI5, Cloud 9 disbanded.

At the end of August 2015, after TI5, bOne7 put together a mix of players – and decided to breath new life into the Kaipi brand. The initial roster was comprised of lesser known players.

Less than a month later, Alexandru “Comewithme” Crăciunescu and Antonio “canceL^^” Mihai were brought on after Kiril “Kikoni” Minkov and Salvador “Asuna” Khamis parted ways with the team.

On March 27th, Kaipi officially registered with a stacked roster after adding two new members to their existing lineup. Armand “bOne7” Pittner, Antonio “canceL^^” Mihai and Alexandru “ComeWithMe” welcomed WehSing “SingSing” Yuen and Sébastien “7ckngMad” Debs to the squad, creating a stir of excitement among fans.

Kaipi participated in several minor tournaments and qualifiers but was unable to clinch any noteworthy achievements, due to their roster instability.

In April the team underwent two more roster changes, the first being the departure of canceL^^ – replaced by Alaan “SexyBamboe” Faraj after a few days and then again on April 28th when 7ckngMad parted ways with the team and had been replaced with Cosmin “Masakary” Nechifor.

New Kaipi roster:

WehSing “SingSing” Yuen
Alaan “SexyBamboe” Faraj
Armand “bOne7” Pittner
Alexandru “Comewithme” Crăciunescu
Ludwig “zai” Wåhlberg