Puppey

Puppey began his esports career in 2007, joining team Xero Skill.{{cite news |last1=Hassall |first1=Michael |title=Player Spotlight: Puppey – In Search of Perfection |url=https://www.hotspawn.com/dota2/news/player-spotlight-puppey-in-search-of-perfection |access-date=11 May 2021 |work=Hotspawn |date=7 July 2020}} Puppey had a successful DotA career playing for top teams, such as KingSurf.international,{{Cite web|title = Ks.Int adds Dendi|url = http://www.gosugamers.net/dota/news/9693-ks-int-adds-dendi|website = www.gosugamers.net|accessdate = 6 October 2017}} Nirvana.international,{{Cite web|title = Nirvana.int, champions of GosuCup #2|url = http://www.gosugamers.net/dota/news/11797-nirvana-int-champions-of-gosucup-2|website = www.gosugamers.net|accessdate = 6 October 2017}} and Team Na'Vi. His final Dota LAN match was a win with Na'Vi at Asus Open Summer 2011.

Puppey started his first steps into the DotA 2 competitive scene with Natus Vincere among players such as Dendi and Artstyle, as they competed in The International 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.redbull.com/us/en/esports/stories/1331724014985/puppey-s-concern-for-order-and-competition|title=Puppey's Concern for Order and Competition|first=Steven |last=Strom |website=Red Bull |date=20 May 2015}} They went undefeated throughout the whole tournament, winning the then-big US$1,000,000 grand prize.{{Cite web|title = Na'Vi take home $1,000,000|url = http://www.gosugamers.net/dota/news/16629-na-vi-takes-home-1-000-000|website = www.gosugamers.net|accessdate = 15 December 2015}} They also won the Electronic Sports World Cup 2011 and took home US$12,000.{{Cite web|title = ESCW – 4GL yelling at NaVi as they win – DotA Forums|url = http://www.playdota.com/forums/showthread.php?t=556217|website = www.playdota.com|accessdate = 15 December 2015|archive-date = 30 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160130184831/http://www.playdota.com/forums/showthread.php?t=556217|url-status = dead}} In both of these tournaments, he demonstrated fantastic prediction with the hero Chen's ability to send his teammates back to base. Puppey became Natus Vincere's Captain after ArtStyle departed from the team in October 2011.{{Cite web|title = GosuGamers|url = http://www.gosugamers.net/dota/news/17156|website = www.gosugamers.net|accessdate = 15 December 2015}}

After winning those two tournaments, Puppey went on to have a place on the podium for 31 out of 32 different tournaments in from 2011 to 2013, winning tournaments such as the Alienware cup,{{Cite web|title = Na'Vi win Alienware cup in dramatic five game final|url = http://www.gosugamers.net/dota2/news/24759-na-vi-win-alienware-cup-in-dramatic-five-game-final|website = www.gosugamers.net|accessdate = 15 December 2015}} StarLadder Star Series Season 7{{Cite web|title = Na'Vi claim their fifth StarLadder championship through commanding performance|url = http://www.gosugamers.net/dota2/news/25634-na-vi-claim-their-fifth-starladder-championship-through-commanding-performance|website = www.gosugamers.net|accessdate = 15 December 2015}} and The Defense Season 4.{{Cite web|title = The Defense 4 Grand Finals Recap « News|url = http://www.the-defense.com/en/news/11047-the-defense-4-grand-finals-recap|website = The Defense|accessdate = 15 December 2015}} He also achieved second place in The International 2012.{{Cite web|title = iG wins the million dollars at The International|url = http://www.gosugamers.net/dota2/news/20975-ig-wins-the-million-dollars-at-the-international|website = www.gosugamers.net|accessdate = 15 December 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://ekspress.delfi.ee/kuum/eesti-poisi-tiim-voitis-arvutimangus-miljon-dollarit?id=64855464|title=Eesti poisi tiim võitis arvutimängus miljon dollarit|first=Maris|last= Sander|website=Eesti Ekspress|accessdate=2 February 2016}}

After winning the Dota 2 Champions League Season 2 in 2014,{{Cite web|title = Na'Vi Wins the Dota 2 Champions League Finals|url = http://www.liquiddota.com/forum/dota-2-general/452392-navi-wins-the-dota-2-champions-league-finals|website = www.liquiddota.com|accessdate = 15 December 2015|archive-date = 23 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151223105144/http://www.liquiddota.com/forum/dota-2-general/452392-navi-wins-the-dota-2-champions-league-finals|url-status = dead}} things began to go south for Puppey, getting a 7-8th place at The International 2014,{{Cite web|title = Na'Vi eliminated from The International Dota 2 Championships|url = https://www.sbnation.com/2015/8/4/9093571/natus-vincere-eliminated-from-the-international-dota-2-championships|website = SBNation.com| date=4 August 2015 |accessdate = 15 December 2015}} Puppey suddenly left Natus Vincere with Kuroky.{{Cite web|title = Natus Vincere parts with Puppey – Natus Vincere Website|url = http://read.navi-gaming.com/en/team_news/release_puppey|website = read.navi-gaming.com|accessdate = 15 December 2015|archive-date = 16 November 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171116234232/http://read.navi-gaming.com/en/team_news/release_puppey|url-status = dead}} The community started saying rumors about why he would leave a team he stayed with for four years.{{Cite web|title = Clement 'Puppey' Ivanov departs Natus Vincere|url = http://www.ongamers.com/articles/clement-puppey-ivanov-departs-natus-vincere/1100-2118/|website = onGamers|accessdate = 15 December 2015|archive-date = 13 January 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150113155204/http://www.ongamers.com/articles/clement-puppey-ivanov-departs-natus-vincere/1100-2118/|url-status = dead}}

After a loss in a series against Alliance, Puppey and his new team consisting of him, Fly, N0tail, KuroKy and s4, went on to achieve second place in their first tournament Starladder Season 10.{{Cite web|title = Starladder X: EG are victorious! « News|url = http://www.joindota.com/en/news/22539-starladder-x-eg-are-victorious|website = joinDOTA.com|accessdate = 16 December 2015}}

Following his first achievement with Team Secret, Puppey went on to be top 3 in 7 major tournaments and 1 premier tournament. He also won a 'Double Trouble' season with his manager, Matthew 'Cyborgmatt' Bailey. The Double Trouble tournament included a team of two major DotA 2 personalities who battled against other groups of two of the major Dota 2 personalities.{{Cite web|title = Twitch's Double Trouble ft. Dendi, Singsing, Puppey, and BigDaddyNotail {{!}} Rebrn.com|url = http://rebrn.com/re/twitchs-double-trouble-ft-dendi-singsing-puppey-and-bigdaddynota-365585/|website = Rerbn|accessdate = 16 December 2015}}

His first major achievement with Team Secret was when the team won US$120,000 in ESL One Frankfurt which included teams such as Alliance, Evil Geniuses, Cloud9, and Invictus Gaming.{{Cite web|title = Team Secret beat EG 3-1, win ESL One|url = http://www.gosugamers.net/dota2/news/31485-team-secret-beat-eg-3-1-win-esl-one|website = www.gosugamers.net|accessdate = 16 December 2015}}

Team Secret went into The International 2015 as heavy favorites, but left only with a tie for 7-8 place and US$830,000.{{Cite web |date=6 August 2015 |title=Team Secret eliminated from The International Dota 2 Championships |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2015/8/6/9113991/team-secret-dota-2-the-international-ti5-virtus-pro-arteezy |accessdate=16 December 2015 |website=SBNation.com}}

Following TI5, the team underwent heavy drama between Kuro 'KuroKy' S. Takhasomi and Artour 'Arteezy' Babaev, which started with Arteezy indirectly blaming the loss at The International on KuroKy while streaming on Twitch{{Cite web|title = Arteezy's comments on stream about Kuroky trigger heavy community debate « News|url = http://www.joindota.com/en/news/30919-arteezys-comments-on-stream-about-kuroky-trigger-heavy-community-debate|website = joinDOTA.com|accessdate = 16 December 2015}} and KuroKy responding and flaming Arteezy in German forums.{{Cite web|title = Arteezy VS Kuroky Drama|url = http://www.gosugamers.net/forums/discussion/1068626/arteezy-vs-kuroky-drama|website = GosuGamers Forums|accessdate = 16 December 2015}}

In the post-TI5 shuffle, s4 and Arteezy returned to their previous teams,{{Cite web|title = TI5 winner Aui_2000 kicked from EG, to be replaced by Arteezy « News|url = http://www.joindota.com/en/news/30907-ti5-winner-aui_2000-kicked-from-eg-to-be-replaced-by-arteezy|website = joinDOTA.com|accessdate = 16 December 2015}}{{Cite web|title = The prodigal son returns as s4 joins Alliance with Mynuts « News|url = http://www.joindota.com/en/news/31255-the-prodigal-son-returns-as-s4-joins-alliance-with-mynuts|website = joinDOTA.com|accessdate = 16 December 2015}} Zai decided to leave competitive DOTA to finish school, and KuroKy formed a new German team 5Jungz (which will later be sponsored by Team Liquid).{{Cite web|title = Team Liquid picks up Kuroky's 5Jungz after one year without a squad « News|url = http://www.joindota.com/en/news/32499-team-liquid-picks-up-kurokys-5jungz-after-one-year-without-a-squad|website = joinDOTA.com|accessdate = 16 December 2015}} On 22 August, team director Kemal Sadikoglu announced the new roster of Team Secret which now included MiSery, EternaLEnVy, w33, pieliedie and of course Puppey{{Cite web|title = Kemal Sadikoglu on Twitter|url = https://twitter.com/ksadikoglu/status/635048785371136001|website = Twitter|accessdate = 16 December 2015}}

Following the new roster change, Puppey and his team went on to achieve second place in The Frankfurt Major and ESL One New York while winning the Nanyang DotA 2 Championships and the MLG World Finals 2015.

Puppey and Team Secret won Shanghai Major 2016 in March 2016 after beating Team Liquid in the finals.{{Cite web|title = Team Secret won Shanghai Major 2016|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWqwwLwMJoU|website = Youtube|accessdate = 6 March 2016}}{{Cite web|title = Puppey Interview by Pealtnägija|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdosABTE4Ow|website = Youtube|accessdate = 31 March 2016}} Roster changes made by Team Secret after the Shanghai Major 2016 were followed with weaker performances for the team, including a shared last-place finish at the Manila Major 2016.{{Cite web|title = Team Secret eliminated by Team Empire|url = https://www.rappler.com/technology/features/130589-esl-one-manila-day-one|website = www.rappler.com| date=24 April 2016 |accessdate = 26 April 2016}} Team Secret won the European qualifiers to The International 2016, but the team was once again among the first eliminations. The majority of the Team Secret roster left the team after the event.{{Cite web |date=8 October 2016 |title=The Next Chapter {{!}} Team Secret |url=http://teamsecret.gg/the-next-chapter/ |access-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008204156/http://teamsecret.gg/the-next-chapter/ |archive-date=8 October 2016 }}

Team Secret confirmed a new roster led by Puppey for the 2016-2017 season. The team failed to qualify for the Boston Major 2016 and was once again among the first eliminations from the Kiev Major 2017.{{Cite web |last=Ramadani |first=Cristy "Pandora" |date=29 October 2016 |title=Team Secret eliminated from Boston Major Qualifiers |url=https://dotablast.com/secret-eliminated-boston-major-qualifiers/ |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Dota Blast |language=en-US}} Team Secret received a spot in The International 2017 by winning the European qualifiers. The team finished in ninth place. Another series of roster changes for the organization followed.{{Cite web |date=3 October 2017 |title=The secret is out! {{!}} Team Secret |url=http://teamsecret.gg/the-secret-is-out |access-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003082606/http://teamsecret.gg/the-secret-is-out |archive-date=3 October 2017 }}

The 2017-2018 Dota 2 competitive season saw the introduction of the Dota Pro Circuit. Puppey competed in 15 events during the season and won two of them including the DreamLeague Season 8 major. Team Secret ranked fourth in the Dota Pro Circuit standings for the season, giving Puppey a direct invitation to The International 2018. The team finished in fifth place.

Valve overhauled the Dota Pro Circuit for the 2018-2019 season.{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Victoria |date=2018-06-04 |title=Valve announces massive new changes to Dota Pro Circuit |url=https://www.theflyingcourier.com/2018/6/4/17426462/dota-2-pro-competitive-circuit-changes-ownership |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=The Flying Courier |language=en-US}} Puppey and Team Secret qualified for all five majors during the season, winning two of them. Their performance during the season led to a first-place finish in the Dota Pro Circuit standings and an invitation to The International 2019. The team finished fourth.{{Cite web |last=Michael |first=Cale |date=24 August 2014 |title=Team Liquid eliminate Team Secret at The International 2019 |url=https://dotesports.com/dota-2/news/team-liquid-eliminate-team-secret-at-the-international-2019 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}

Puppey and Team Secret sat out of the first major cycle of the 2019-2020 Dota Pro Circuit season but returned for the second. The team's season started with a first-place finish in DreamLeague Season 13.{{Cite web |title=ᐈ Team Secret is the DreamHack Season 13: The Leipzig Major winner! • WePlay! |url=https://weplay.tv/news/team-secret-is-the-dreamleague-season-13-the-leipzig-major-winner-19897 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=weplay.tv |language=en}} This established Puppey as the first player to win five official Dota 2 majors. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the remainder of the Dota Pro Circuit season being cancelled,{{Cite news |author1=Andy Chalk |date=12 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus outbreak halts LoL and Dota 2 pro events (Updated) |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/coronavirus-outbreak-forces-more-changes-to-lol-and-dota-2-pro-events/ |access-date=3 September 2023}} which was followed by The International 2020 being canceled.{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=1 May 2020 |title=Dota 2's The International delayed indefinitely, likely to 2021 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/5/1/21243964/dota-2-the-international-2020-delayed-coronavirus-pandemic |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} Puppey and Team Secret remained in action in online events for the remainder of 2020, including winning eight tournaments in a row.{{Cite web |last=Kathuria |first=Rakshak |date=27 September 2020 |title=Team Secret Secure Their 8th Consecutive Tournament Win |url=https://afkgaming.com/dota2/news/5068-team-secret-secure-their-8th-consecutive-tournament-win |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=AFK Gaming |language=en}}

The Dota Pro Circuit returned in 2021 with a new, league-based format.{{Cite web |date=26 February 2020 |title=Dota 2 Pro Circuit is getting regional leagues after The International 2020 |url=https://www.ginx.tv/en/dota-2/dota-regional-leagues-international-2020 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=GINX |language=en}} Puppey continued to captain Team Secret, with the team qualifying for both majors. This included a fourth-place finish in the ONE Esports Singapore Major and a 16th-place finish in the WePlay AniMajor. These results combined with first and fourth-place finishes in the European DPC leagues saw Team Secret finish eighth in the season's standings, which yielded a direct invitation to The International 2021. Puppey became the sole player to attend every The International tournament after KuroKy and Team Nigma placed third in The International 2021's European qualifiers.{{Cite web |date=27 October 2021 |title=Puppey is the only player to achieve every TI placing at The International {{!}} ONE Esports |url=https://www.oneesports.gg/dota2/puppey-ti-placing-the-international/ |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=www.oneesports.gg |language=en-US}} Team Secret finished the event in third place.

The 2022 Dota Pro Circuit season saw Puppey and Team Secret fail to qualify for any of the year's three majors, placing fifth in each European regional league tour. The team qualified for The International 2022 after taking second place in the European regional qualifiers and winning the Last Chance Qualifier tournament.{{Cite web |last=Phoenix |date=12 October 2022 |title=Team Secret qualifies for TI11 through the LCQ |url=https://www.jaxon.gg/team-secret-qualifies-for-ti11-through-the-lcq/ |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Jaxon |language=en-US}} Team Secret advanced to the grand finals. This was Puppey's fourth appearance in the finals of The International. Team Secret was defeated 3-0 by Tundra Esports.

Despite that strong performance, Team Secret started the following season with a last-place finish in the DPC's first Western Europea League tour. This saw Puppey and his team relegated to the lower division for the first time. Team Secret was promoted by finishing first in the lower division's second tour, but was relegated again by a last-place finish in the third tour. This forced Puppey and Team Secret into the qualifiers, where they finished fourth. As a result, Puppey failed to qualify for The International for the first time in the event's history.{{Cite web |last=Rondina |first=Steven |date=1 September 2023 |title=Puppey won't be at The International 2023, find out what's next |url=https://gameland.gg/puppey-wont-be-at-the-international-2023-find-out-whats-next/ |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=gameland.gg |language=en-US}}

On 16 February 2016, former team manager Evany Chang accused Team Secret of not paying prize winnings to her and former players.{{cite web|url=http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1soaufn|title=I'm not even sure where to start with this...|first=Evany|last=Chang|date=16 February 2016|accessdate=9 October 2016|publisher=TwitLonger}} On 9 October 2016, former player EternaLEnVy wrote a blog post detailing several instances of the organisation, in particular team director Kemal and Puppey, failing to pay players on time, lying about payments and sponsorships, and taking a 10% cut out of prize winnings without informing the players.{{cite web|url=http://npgame.gg/blog/himitsumonogatari.html|title=A Secret Story|first=Jacky|last=Mao|publisher=Team NP|date=9 October 2016|accessdate=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009162806/http://npgame.gg/blog/himitsumonogatari.html|archive-date=9 October 2016|url-status=dead}} Later that day, another former player, MiSeRy, released a blog raising similar issues, and claiming Secret did not pay him until he asked several times. He also backed EternaLEnVy's claim that Puppey was the only player aware of the organization taking a 10% cut.{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/@MiSeRyDOTA/the-secret-is-out-25f26ceab1cc|title=The Secret Is Out|first=Rasmus|last=Filipsen|publisher=Medium|date=9 October 2016|accessdate=9 October 2016}}

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