On the first stage of the biggest Counter-Strike 2 tournament of the year — BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 — officially kicked off. Sixteen teams from around the world arrived in Texas to fight for the most prestigious title of the season. The opening day is always full of nerves, improvisation, and trial runs — but some players made it clear from the get-go that they didn’t come here just to warm up.
nicoodoz — Total Domination from the First Rounds
The standout star of the day was Nico “nicoodoz” Tamjidi, the Danish AWPer who delivered two incredibly powerful performances and rightfully topped the player rating chart with a staggering 1.96. This wasn’t just a strong debut — it was a full-blown statement for the entire Major.
Stats:
- Rating 2.1: 1.96
- Maps played: 2
- Team: OG
- Role: AWP / Star player
nicoodoz entered the server brimming with confidence. His movement across the map was aggressive yet composed, and his aim — nearly flawless. In both matches, he consistently won duels against enemy snipers, opened rounds on the T side, and frequently clutched as the last man standing on defense.
One moment stood out in particular: on Ancient, nicoodoz landed four consecutive headshots through the smoke, locking down the B bombsite during a pivotal moment of the match. His composure and decisiveness were critical in helping OG close the day with a perfect 2–0 record.
This wasn’t just an MVP-level performance — it was complete technical superiority, executed with elegance.
Other Stars of the Day: Who Else Impressed?
Although nicoodoz dominated the spotlight, five more players who played two maps each showcased elite individual skill and were vital to their teams’ victories. Each of them is a strong candidate to rise in status as the tournament progresses.
Sonic — 1.53 Rating
The South African veteran proved that true class never fades. Sonic performed excellently in the entry-fragging role, winning opening duels and shifting the momentum of rounds single-handedly. His experience became a crucial advantage in high-pressure situations.
SunPayus — 1.50 Rating
The Spanish AWPer remains in top form and once again demonstrated why he’s one of the most reliable snipers in the world. Every move he made was cold-blooded and calculated. SunPayus proves that discipline and control can secure rounds even in the most unlikely situations.
Moseyuh — 1.50 Rating
Representing China, Moseyuh broke into the top performers list with an excellent K/D and confident showings on both maps. He played aggressively but intelligently, won multiple clutch rounds, and shut down key choke points that often become vulnerabilities for other teams.
Vexite — 1.44 Rating
The rising Australian talent didn’t just play with bravery — he played with precision. Vexite’s timing, accuracy, and excellent utility work kept pressure on opponents at all times. Combined with FlyQuest’s aggressive playstyle, he became a driving force behind their victories.
xfl0ud — 1.41 Rating
The Turkish player from HEROIC once again proved himself as a true utility soldier. In one match, he scored a crucial ACE, completely shutting down the enemy’s push. His smart usage of nades, consistent fragging, and understanding of key moments allowed him to make a strong individual impact.
Day 1 of the Austin Major showed that we’re on the brink of an extremely competitive tournament. nicoodoz set the tone, but his lead is far from uncatchable — the chasing pack of five is close behind and ready to take over if he falters With two more days of the Swiss Stage, elimination matches, and survival battles ahead, everything is still wide open — but some names have already burned themselves into the memories of the fans.
