Alkaren: "I want to show that I'm not mid"

HEROIC's 18-year-old sniper will be making his LAN debut against his former club in the form of Spirit.

Alimzhan "⁠Alkaren⁠" Bitimbai has entered a HEROIC project with an uphill battle ahead of them.

After losing Eetu "⁠sAw⁠" Saha and Álvaro "⁠SunPayus⁠" García in the off-season, Andrey "⁠tN1R⁠" Tatarinovich is set for a move to Spirit and big money signing Gleb "⁠gr1ks⁠" Gazin has already been benched.

Read more

Sources: tN1R to join Spirit after EWC

HEROIC are an organization used to turmoil but this is a new level for a fresh coach in Tobias "⁠TOBIZ⁠" Theo. The hope is that Alkaren can calm the storm, with his clean sniping and experience in a tier one organization from Spirit Academy.

"I thought I would continue playing for the academy," Alkaren admitted when he spoke to HLTV at the Esports World Cup media day.

But the teenager is happy about the step up: "I like to play with experienced players who have played more than just in an academy. Which is why it's more comfortable with them, they know more."

Date	Matches
Esports World Cup 2025
20/08/2025	Spirit 20:10 HEROIC	Match

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This interview was conducted in Russian and translated by HLTV staff.

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Tell about your impressions of playing for HEROIC.

I'm actually very happy to be playing in this team. The first transfer window had passed, and I didn't get picked up by anyone. I thought I would continue playing for the academy, but I've joined this team, and I'm happy.

Did you not have any other offers at all? Or did you have them and you were not interested?

There were, but let's say I was not picked up.

How much did you count on making a move up at this time?

I already wanted to leave if I were invited anywhere, so yeah, I did plan on it.

So, how is it actually playing for HEROIC? What is notable about playing for this team compared to what you’ve experienced before?

I like to play with experienced players who have played more than just in an academy. Which is why it's more comfortable with them, they know more.

How is your communication going?

In terms of communication, it's not really that hard, but sometimes there are difficulties.

How big a problem is it, in the end? Is it something you need to be actively working on, or is it more of a minor thing?

I think it will just take time, and I will get used to English, memorize all sorts of words, and I will be able to communicate. It will be easier. As of now, it's difficult.

What are your team's expectations from this event, considering your first opponent?

I don't even know, to be honest. We'll need to see how we will be playing against Spirit, and that's it.

What are your personal expectations from this game? Considering all the rumors it has a certain interesting context.

I think we will just try to show our best game. And to not leave cast down, saddened by such a first game, and things like that. We'll just try to play.

What do you expect from playing for HEROIC overall? What goals are you setting, let's say, till the end of the year? What's the most important?

I want to show that I'm not mid. I want to show my level and prove that I'm able to compete at this level. And try to develop with my team and get better.