Win.gg
Dota 2
Former DotA pro player Champi dead at 26 years old Former DotA pro player Champi dead at 26 years old
A veteran of the Defense of the Ancients competitive scene has died.
According to an announcement made on Facebook by TNC Events, part of the TNC Esports company that operates Dota 2 team TNC Predator, DotA 1 support player Mark Anthony “Champi” Gappi has died. He was 26 years old.
“Champi was a Dota 1 legend. He was a former TNC Cup champion, and was highly regarded as one of the best support players of his time. We will always remember fond memories of his matches with his former teams,” TNC said in its
announcement.
News of his death began circulating on March 15, with esports fans taking to social media to express their condolences. No cause of death was given.
Dota 2 pros such as Carlo “kuku” Palad paid homage to him following the news, as did some of his former constituents.
“To the person who accepted me as his team captain in Wrath of Olympus, supported me for whatever picks I’ve decided to test, argued with me when something went wrong, stood up for me, May you rest in peace my brother. I wouldn’t have been a champ without you,” former teammate Jet Alfred “B-rnek” Belo said.
Gappi previously played for Wrath of Olympus, a DotA team that continued competing in the WarCraft 3 mod of the game well after Valve’s Dota 2 became publicly available. He was recognized on a number of occasions by local outlets for his skills as a support player. His most notable victory during his pro career was becoming a TNC Cup champion, one of the bigger achievements of the SEA DotA scene.
Per Liquipedia, his only notable appearance in Dota 2 came in 2014. During the year, he competed for Southeast Asian staple Mineski in online tournament GEST The Challenge #5. The team was eliminated in the first round of the event by Vici Gaming, losing 2-0 in a single-elimination playoff.
Steven Rondina
About Steven Rondina
Steven Rondina is a true lifelong gamer. His earliest memories are of playing video games, and he has continued playing them throughout his life with no plans to stop any time soon. Steven’s favorite franchises in gaming include Pokemon, Dark Souls, and Counter-Strike. He has previously published with Bleacher Report and other gaming outlets.
View full profile
Read Also
Esports Betting
Here’s the complete Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 schedule
Hannan Mundia
The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 has finally arrived, and here’s the complete schedule for the event to ensure you don’t miss anything. While it isn’t exactly the newest name in the esports scene, the EWC has quickly become a leading event for esports fans worldwide. It brings together professional players and fans from various games, combining them into one long event that everyone can enjoy. 2026’s Esports World Cup ...
Dota 2
Dota 2 at the EWC 2026 preview, details, predictions, and more
Michael Hassall
A titanic 24 teams are set to compete in Dota 2 at the Esports World Cup 2025 in one of the largest events of the competitive season. These two dozen organizations are set to take over the Paris Convention Center, filling it with top-tier competitive Dota 2 action. With a $2,000,000 USD prize pool, the largest on the Dota 2 calendar, there’s everything to play for in the final major ...
Dota 2
Top Dota 2 combos to boost your MMR fast
Wasif Ahmed
Dota 2 is a complex and interesting game that requires skill, strategy and teamwork to be successful. Having said that, one of the best ways to improve your MMR is by learning certain Dota 2 combos that have proven themselves over time. It’s worth knowing that there are not that many Dota 2 combos that have survived the test of time because every new patch changes the game’s meta. Nevertheless, ...
Dota 2
Dota 2 temporarily deletes popular hero before launching huge Dark Carnival update
Michael Hassall
If you were an Axe player in Dota 2 earlier this week, you’d have found yourself out of luck when you tried to pick the stalwart Oglodi warrior, as the hero was straight up removed from the game on June 23. The hero was completely missing from All-Pick and his hero model was replaced with a missing poster. Axe couldn’t even be demoed or picked in a custom game for ...
Dota 2
Team Yandex stop the magic, defeating LGD in BLAST Slam VII finals
Michael Hassall
Team Yandex have defeated LGD Gaming in the grand finals of BLAST Slam VII in a dramatic 3-1 series that saw both teams pushed to the limit, but ultimately Yandex come out on top. Concluding the last major tournament before teams head to the Esports World Cup and The International 2026 next month and in August, Yandex were able to counter the momentum of LGD that had brought them into ...
Dota 2
BLAST Slam VII Finals Predictions and Picks – Can LGD make it all the way?
Michael Hassall
LGD Gaming in the top three of a tournament!? What is this 2021? BLAST Slam VII has been one of the most surprising tournaments of the year, and has capped off the pre-EWC and TI season with some of the most thrilling gameplay we’ve seen in months. And the finals are set to be even more exciting. With just three teams left there’s a lot on the line, from the ...
Dota 2
Easiest Dota 2 Heroes for Beginners – Best Picks to Learn the Game
Simon Day
We can all agree that Dota 2 is a complex game, but starting with the right heroes can make the learning process much smoother. Choosing one of the best Dota 2 heroes for beginners is key to building your skills and enjoying your matches. That’s why it’s time to explore the heroes that are easy to understand, effective in the game and great for learning the fundamentals. Without going into ...
