GX ara: “As a team, we panic a bit sometimes… these things come with experience” – VCT EMEA Kickoff Interview

Hotspawn spoke with GIANTX duelist Hanceriuc “Ara” Eduard-George following the team’s loss to Team Liquid, a result that eliminated GX from VCT EMEA Kickoff, potentially leaving them until late March before their next competition.

Hotspawn: Starting with today’s game, I think it was very close, especially map three.

Heading into Stage 1, what do you think is the biggest thing you want to work on?

Ara:“For me personally, I want to work on consistency. I want to deliver more good performances for my team. As a team, we panic a bit sometimes, so we have to keep it down. These things come with experience.”

Hotspawn: What’s been the biggest change in mentality since last year?

Ara: “Our mental never changed. We always try to have a good mood, have fun, work harder every day. If you are sad or in a bad mood, everything can go wrong.”

Hotspawn: How has the meta been compared to last year with initiator nerfs and agent changes?

Ara: “We didn’t change a lot. Most teams run double duelists. We don’t really have players to run these comps. Maybe we are a step behind. We will try to prepare something new for Stage One.”

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— VALORANT Esports EMEA (@vct_emea) February 6, 2026

Hotspawn: Who do you think is the strongest duelist in the current meta?

Ara: “The strongest is either Yoru or Waylay. You can get so much information and escape. You can hold positions and be on the other side of the map. These things matter a lot.”

Hotspawn: Ara, my question to you is,

Did you always know that you wanted to be an esports player?

Ara: “I started this as a hobby. I didn’t really have in mind this type of stuff, that I could become a good player. I started Valorant as a distraction to have fun and chill, but when I started to play, I saw that I have a bit of talent, and I tried to use it as much as I could, and eventually I got here.

“So yeah, I really never thought about being an esports player.”

Hotspawn: So it just happened organically?

Ara: “Yeah, because I had good people around me to support me in this journey, so they made the journey a lot easier.”

Hotspawn: It’s your second year in the VCT, and last year you guys made it all the way to Champions. It’s been fantastic for you in particular.

So how has the experience been for you?

Ara: “It’s really nice. There’s a lot of ups and downs, especially when you lose. This is not a great feeling, losing a game. But if you look at the good parts, it’s the moment when you win. This moment feels insane.

“Also, qualifying for an international event feels amazing. It has both ups and downs, so you cannot really complain about it. There’s good stuff and bad stuff.”

Hotspawn: What’s your best memory so far in your esports career?

Ara: “Best memory, I think when we qualified for Champs. It was really intense. I never felt this type of happiness. One day, I hope I will reach it again. I believe.”

Hotspawn: Now that you are a pro,

What is your ultimate dream in esports?

Ara: “I think like any other, win Champions.”

Hotspawn: You play a lot of different duelists.

Which one is your favorite, and how do you switch between them?

Ara: “I wouldn’t say I play a lot of duelists. Mostly I play Raze, Jett, and Yoru. These are only three duelists. You play a lot of Valorant, you get used to playing these agents, how to use them properly, how to make the best out of them. You just have to play and learn for yourself.”

Hotspawn: What’s your favorite duelist to play?

Ara: “I would say Yoru, but my coach doesn’t let me play Yoru, so I’m stuck on Jett and Raze. The Jett-Raze jail.”

Hotspawn: One team you want revenge against this year?

Ara: “Liquid. I want my revenge for Kickoff.”