Tundra Esports’ Success at The International 11: The Role of a Sports Psychologist
Tundra Esports had a great season in Dota Pro Circuit last year, but their performance reached new heights in the lead-up to The International 11. With their impressive gameplay and teamwork, they claimed the ultimate prize, the Aegis. However, there was another important factor that contributed to their dominance – the addition of a sports psychologist to their team. In an exclusive interview with BLIX.GG, Tundra’s sports psychologist, Dan Abrahams, shed light on his role.
Tundra approached Dan Abrahams, an experienced sports psychologist with over 20 years of working with top athletes and teams, after a series of disappointing performances. They sought his guidance to navigate through the second half of the season.
Although Abrahams had never worked with an esports team before and felt uncertain about it, Tundra insisted on having an outsider’s perspective. They wanted someone to provide psychological support, so Abrahams took the opportunity. And the results were remarkable.
Tundra initially had Zoom sessions with Abrahams, but they were so impressed by his contributions that they eventually invited him to join their training camp and the Arlington Major.
Initially, the team faced challenges, finishing 15th to 16th at the event. Coach Kurtis “Aui_2000” Ling believed that focusing too much on psychology concepts and burnout played a role in their performance. However, after an “open and honest conversation” with Abrahams, they decided to persevere, and soon enough, their efforts paid off. Tundra didn’t lose a single series from that point onward.
Although Abrahams didn’t disclose specific details, his work involved teaching the team “techniques, philosophies, frameworks, and theories” to help them achieve the right mindset as individuals and as a team.
While Abrahams hasn’t worked with Tundra since TI11, there is a strong possibility that his knowledge has had a lasting impact on the team, setting them up for success in the future.
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