Esports athletes have gained a massive level of recognition in recent years, with many of them achieving incredible success in the competitive gaming industry.
As the industry continues to expand and evolve, new stars are emerging and making names for themselves. With large sums of money, sponsorships and global fame, professional gamers have become some of the most successful athletes in the world.
Here are the top five most successful esports athletes right now, each of whom has accomplished amazing feats in their respective games.
A quick history of esports
Esports history can be traced back to the 1970s, when games such as Space Invaders and Atari Football were played in video arcades. It wasn’t until the 1990s, however, that esports began to gain traction.
It was during this time that competitive gaming tournaments began to be organized, with the most popular games being Street Fighter II and Quake.
The popularity of esports continued to rise and by the early 2000s, video game tournaments were being broadcast on television and streaming platforms.
At this point, major esports leagues and tournaments such as Major League Gaming, the World Cyber Games and the Electronic Sports League were established. These leagues and tournaments allowed professional gamers to compete for large cash prizes.
The rise of streaming platforms, such as Twitch and YouTube in the late 2000s, allowed more gamers to broadcast their gaming sessions, leading to an increase in esports viewership. This, in turn, led to more sponsorships, more tournaments and more money for the professional players.
Today, esports is a thriving industry with millions of viewers across the world. Professional gamers are now able to make a living through tournament winnings, sponsorships and streaming subscriptions.
Esports history is still being written, and with the ever-growing popularity of professional gaming, it’s sure to continue to evolve and grow.
Can you make money with esports betting?
Since the rise of esports, betting on professional gaming tournaments has become a popular form of gambling.
Esports betting is where people place bets on the outcome of a game or tournament, with the potential to win real money. With the growth of the esports industry, esports betting has seen a surge in popularity.
Esports betting can be a great way for people to get involved in the esports community and show their support for the professional gamers.
All you need to get started are the right bookmaker sites where you can bet on esports athletes online. Then, hopefully, you can make a profit gambling on your favorite players.
1. N0tail – Dota 2
Johan “N0tail” Sundstein is a player who became famous for his position on the OG Dota 2 team. N0tail is famous for his solo position play and his ability to consistently win games.
In 2018, N0tail and his team won The International Dota 2 tournament, netting them a first-place prize of over $11m in prize money. Then, they won it again the following year, making an epic rerun of their success from the previous year.
N0tail is the number one most successful esport athlete today, with over $7,100,000 in career earnings. He is one of the most successful Dota 2 players in history and continues to dominate the esports world.
Many consider N0tail to be one of the greatest gamers alive, not just because he’s got the most winnings, but talent-wise, he has proved consistently that he is a force to be reckoned with.
Although Tundra Esports won The International 11 in 2022, N0tail is expected by many to have a great 2023 year and help bring OG the big one once more.
2. JerAx – Dota 2
JerAx is a Finnish Dota 2 player whose competitive career began in 2013. His winnings come in at nearly $6,500,000, making him the number two on the list of all-time most successful esport athletes.
JerAx rose to fame in 2016 when he won The International 2016 with his team OG. JerAx started his professional career in 2012 when he joined the team 4 Anchors + Sea Captain. Since then, he has played with multiple teams, most notably OG, winning The International 2016 with them.
JerAx is known for his exceptional plays as an offlaner, often playing heroes such as Earth Spirit, Sand King and Beastmaster.
Throughout his career, JerAx has won numerous tournaments, including The International 2016, the Manila Major 2016 and the Kiev Major 2017. He has also placed second at a number of tournaments, such as the Kuala Lumpur Major 2018 and ESL One Birmingham 2018.
He has also been ranked in the top 10 of the Dota 2 Pro Circuit Leaderboard in 2017 and 2018.
3. Ana Pham – Dota 2
Ana Pham is a female Australian professional competitive Dota 2 player and one of the first female players to become part of an official team in the competitive esports scene.
She is best known for her time with Team Secret, one of the top teams in the world, and is currently a member of the Australian esports organization GTV Gaming.
Ana Pham began her competitive gaming career in 2016 in the Dota 2 scene. She quickly rose to the top of the competitive rankings, playing with some of the top teams in the world.
Ana Pham is known for her aggressive playstyle, taking control of the game by pushing her team forward with aggressive plays and adept strategies.
She also has a diverse hero pool, often playing offlaners and midlaners, as well as the occasional support. Her ability to adapt to different roles and strategies has made her a valuable asset to any team.
Ana Pham joined Team Secret in 2018 and was part of their success in the 2018-2019 Dota Pro Circuit, in which they placed first in the Kuala Lumpur Major and second in The International 2019.
After a successful season, she decided to move on to GTV Gaming in 2020, where she continues to compete in the top tier of the Dota 2 scene.
Ana Pham is an inspiration to many aspiring female players in the esports scene, showing that anyone with the right attitude and dedication can make it in the competitive Dota 2 scene.
4. Ceb – Dota 2
Ceb is a professional Dota 2 player from Ukraine. He is one of the most successful players in the game, having won multiple tournaments in the past. He is a member of the OG organization, which is widely considered to be one of the best Dota 2 teams in the world.
Ceb started his Dota 2 career in 2014 when he joined the No Logic Gaming team. He quickly rose to fame, winning several tournaments and becoming one of the best players in the world. His most notable achievement was in 2018 when he won The International with the OG squad, and again in 2019.
Ceb is known for his aggressive playstyle, often seen initiating team fights and leading the charge for his team. He is also known for his ability to play multiple heroes well, being able to switch from a carry role to a support role depending on the situation.
Ceb’s impressive performances in tournaments earned him the nickname of “The Ukrainian Miracle”, due to his incredible ability to take over games and win seemingly impossible matches. He is one of the most respected players in the Dota 2 scene, with other pro players often citing him as an inspiration.
5. Topson – Dota 2
Another OG member, Topson is a professional esports player from Finland who has been playing Dota 2 since 2015. Topson has won several prestigious tournaments, including The International 2018 and 2019.
Topson made his debut in the competitive scene in 2015, when he joined Team OG. He quickly became an integral part of the team and played an important part in their successes.
During his time with OG, Topson won two consecutive Majors, several smaller tournaments and The International 2018. His performances earned him the title of MVP of The International 2018.
Topson is an incredibly talented player who has a large following on streaming platforms and social media, which makes him a recognizable figure in the Dota 2 scene. He is also one of the most influential players in the game, with fans all over the world.
