Two-time TI Champion Illya Mulyarchuk has changed his in-game name from “Yatoro” to “Raddan.” Details of the name change were first revealed on Valve’s team registration website, late on July 6, as Team Spirit re-registered their organization ahead of The International 2024.
While in-game name changes are common in the Esports scene, Illya’s in-game name is iconic, given Yatoro was the name behind two TI victories. As such, fans are speculating why Yatoro decided to make such a bold move just months before the International 2024 (TI13).
Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk (Image credit: Valve)
Illya’s decision to change his name came as a massive surprise, considering he won the International 10 and 12 using the iconic in-game name. Yet perhaps Illya has good reasons to change his name for TI13.
Besides winning the International Championships, two iconic moments during these victories were of Yatoro making big changes during these championships. At TI10, Yatoro shaved his head bald on the fourth day of TI10. However, this also came with a ritual, whereby the Team Spirit captain, Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov, would kiss Illya’s bald head after each series victory.
Miposhka kisses Yatoro’s head after winning (Image credit: Valve)
As for why Illya decided to shave his head during TI10, he shared that it was a sacrifice to the ‘God of Dota’. Clearly, it was a joke, however, it does commemorate his first TI10 victory in such a defining fashion.
After Team Spirit‘s upsetting TI11 fumble, they returned much stronger the following year, with Illya rocking vibrant pink long hair going into TI12. Similarly, Illya shaved his head once again when the main stage began and the remaining teams’ players got to debut at the arena. Fans go wild, seeing Illya’s iconic bald head at TI12, which was already synonymous with winning TI.
And like clockwork, Team Spirit won TI12, making them the second two-time TI Champion in Dota 2 history.
Team Spirit wins TI12 (Image credit: Valve)
Well, if we have to guess, this is likely another one of Illya’s stunts going into TI13. The name change to Raddan might last until the end of the group stage at TI13 before we witness the return of Yatoro on the main stage. Team Spirit today also headed to Riyadh Masters for the start of the event’s second stage. Their portion of the tournament will begin on July 9.
The name Raddan does not have any real meaning behind it, nor does it pay homage to anyone significant. Nevertheless, there are a few references to Raddan, such as the name of a boss in Elden Ring or it could be the name of a planet in Star Wars. We aren’t sure if Illya is a fan of any of these pop culture references, so chances are Illya just wants to do a name change before the TI13 main stage begins.
Alongside the name change, we are expecting Raddan to also shave his head bald as per tradition.
LOL
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rain all day dota all night. thats what his name means.