sh1ro after winning V4: "This is endlessly important for us"

After securing a trophy and an MVP medal at V4 Future Sports Festival, Dmitry "⁠sh1ro⁠" Sokolov sat down for a quick chat with HLTV.

It was yet another tournament success here at V4 in a year littered with trophies for Gambit, and no one contributed more to their success than sh1ro.

Not only did the young Russian AWPer post superb statistics in a plethora of categories, he was incredibly impactful throughout the event with his playmaking and clutch ability.

After the confetti had fallen and the trophy had been raised, sh1ro took a moment to talk with HLTV about the grand final success, his approach to playing on LAN, and goals for the future.

Congratulations on yet another tournament win! Did you expect this grand final series against Entropiq to be so close?

Frankly speaking, I didn’t think that it would be so tough. I suppose that the main reason for it is the lack of experience we have on LAN.

Of course. Was it important then to get this LAN trophy under your belts?

I think that this is endlessly important for us, and this is just the first step on the ladder. I suppose that this win will help us to get stronger in the future.

You personally seem quite comfortable in the LAN environment, is that so?

I just try to avoid the thought that I am playing on LAN. Of course I try to copy my movements and strats from practice, and I implemented that right here at this tournament. Unfortunately in the grand final I didn’t succeed in it, but my team helped me.

You seemed to be talking a lot during the games, particularly this final, do you consciously try and take on a leadership role in the team?

It depends you see. There are plenty of times where people just don’t understand what to do, and in these extreme situations I try myself to figure out what to do, that’s why I will take the leadership and try to advise people.

You had an insane number of clutches in this event, 13 in total. Do you or the team try intentionally to put you into these clutch situations?

I’m not preparing for the clutches specifically, it is just situational thing which leads me to this number. Frankly speaking most of them took place during the group stage, where honestly the level of teams were not as high as they could be, but today’s 1v3 clutch on Vertigo where I was 10hp was very tough for me and I was proud of it.

Many people would list you as one of the top players in the world. Do you set any personal goals in that regard, like trying to grab the number one spot in the HLTV top 20 for example?

You see, I’m pretty confident with it, but I suppose there is no way I would be HLTV number one this year. Even five years ago I was dreaming of just getting in the top 20, I hope this year that will be so and I am happy about that. My main goal however is not these personal trophies, it is just winning the Major.

Finally, do you have anything you want to say to your fans?

Just the ordinary thing, thanks a lot for supporting us, I hope that in the future you will continue to support us, and we will do our best to win every tournament. Lastly, hello to my mum! (laughs)

Click here to see his 1v3 clutch on Vertigo.

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sh1ro earns career-third MVP at V4 Future Sports Festival