“I Think Being an Anchor Is an Honour” – HeavyGod on His Roles, Time at Endpoint, and G2 at IEM Kraków

Why It Matters

G2’s focus on stability and foundational skill work could translate into stronger tournament performances, while HeavyGod’s advocacy for the anchor role may influence meta‑strategies across CS:GO’s elite scene.

Key Takeaways

• HeavyGod values anchor role over star status
• G2 focusing on fundamentals and mental resilience
• Team stability prioritized; no roster changes this season
• Endpoint's support launched HeavyGod's professional career
• Communication identified as critical under pressure

Pulse Analysis

The anchor position, often overlooked in favor of flashy entry‑fraggers, is gaining strategic relevance as players like HeavyGod champion its impact. By anchoring bomb sites and providing reliable post‑plant presence, an anchor can dictate the tempo of rounds, forcing opponents to adapt. HeavyGod’s assertion that any role can shine challenges the traditional star‑centric narrative and may encourage teams to diversify their roster compositions, seeking specialists who excel in consistency rather than flashiness.

G2’s recent introspection highlights a shift toward disciplined fundamentals and mental conditioning. After a promising BLAST London run, the squad identified pressure‑induced lapses and fragmented team culture as performance killers. By locking the roster and investing in communication drills, situational awareness, and psychological coaching, G2 aims to convert incremental improvements into tangible results at events like IEM Kraków. This methodical approach underscores a broader industry trend where stability and process outweigh short‑term roster shuffles.

Endpoint’s role in HeavyGod’s development illustrates the importance of nurturing talent within smaller, player‑centric organisations. The UK‑based org provided comprehensive support—coaching, infrastructure, and exposure—that caught the eye of Tier 1 scouts. Such pathways are vital for sustaining the esports talent pipeline, ensuring that promising players receive the resources needed to transition to global stages. As the ecosystem matures, collaborations between grassroots outfits and major franchises will likely become a cornerstone of competitive success.

“I think being an anchor is an honour” – HeavyGod on his roles, time at Endpoint, and G2 at IEM Kraków

By Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor · Last Updated: 06/02/2026

Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko spoke to Esports News UK before their IEM Kraków quarter‑final clash with Mouz. The Russian rifler reflected on G2’s difficulties following their BLAST London victory, his love of the anchor role, and G2’s journey at IEM Kraków. HeavyGod also looked back on his time at Endpoint and how the British organisation helped him become the player he is today.

“People are saying you have to be star player to shine, but I just see things differently. I think you can shine in any position, [it] doesn’t matter.” – HeavyGod on anchor roles

I remember last year at BLAST London, you were really popping off. How much are you looking forward to being in front of the crowd here again?

“Yeah, it’s always exciting. I’m really excited to play in front of the crowd. It was really nice in London – the amount of support I got from a lot of British people and from fans outside the arena was crazy. I really loved it and I hope I can do the same here, on stage.”

“I’m looking forward to this season, because I think you can see more of our foundations, more of our basics, I would say, and gameplay and environment.” – on G2’s growth with more time together

After BLAST London, what do you think prevented you from going further in other events last year?

“I think after BLAST we just couldn’t find stability in the team. We were lacking gameplay under pressure and were too nervous. We didn’t have good teamplay at the end of the season and couldn’t fulfil what we really wanted. Our team culture needed work – we were a young team, only six months together. I’m looking forward to this season because we’re evolving in small steps.”

“We worked on a lot of foundations in the game, like basics… in the game and also outside of the game, how to react to a lot of different situations. We were preparing a lot of stuff on the mental side, the in‑game stuff.” – HeavyGod on what G2 are working on

What would you say are some of the things which have added to your game now?

“Communication is always key. You always need to work on communication, handling pressure, and how to communicate when you’re pressured. When you’re nervous or less focused it really depends on a lot of stuff, but basically we worked on a lot of foundations in the game, like basics, and also outside of the game – reacting to different situations. The staff and coaching staff at G2 put a lot of hours into helping us evolve and improve; it wouldn’t be easy without them.”

“I was just thinking like, ‘What is lacking in Tier 1,’ and I didn’t see a lot of really, really good anchors.” – HeavyGod on carving out an anchor niche

In general, there have not been many roster changes coming into this year. Do you have any thoughts on that?

“It’s fine, I think it’s better in general. When you stick together longer you have more options to get better results. If you don’t see results for a long time, then something needs to change. We didn’t have the perfect season last year, but we’re growing together.”

So would you say you are glad that there weren’t any changes in G2?

“I think it benefits us compared to other teams who made changes.”

There was a graphic which showed that you were the ‘purest’ anchor in Tier 1, as in you played the most anchor positions. Why do you think your game developed in that direction?

“I don’t know, honestly. I just like this role. It doesn’t matter what I have to play because I’ve played every role in my last team. I was just thinking ‘What is lacking in Tier 1?’ and didn’t see many good anchors. There are some good anchors I like and follow, but not many. People often want to be a star, and that’s fine. I think being an anchor is an honour. I know people say you have to be a star player to shine, but I see it differently – you can shine in any position. It just depends on your personality and how you see the game.”

It’s not been a straightforward event for G2; you’ve been tested a lot so far. What are your general emotions about the tournament?

“We came here open‑minded. We just wanted to fight and show what we’ve been practising and working hard on as a team. It’s important for us to show what we’re capable of, to ourselves. Everything we work on daily should have value. We’re focused on growing each day, believing in ourselves, and taking it step by step. Don’t jump over the cliff – just believe, one step at a time, and keep practising.”

You have a British connection through your time in Endpoint. How did that help you become the player that you are now?

“Endpoint is a bit different from many CS organisations. It was my first big organisation and they helped me with everything I needed. Being based in the UK was nice – I made some friends there. Even though they weren’t a huge org, they tried to do everything for the players and always sacrificed for us. They were always seeking new adventures and doing their best to fulfil the players’ demands. Because of them, other teams noticed me. They really helped me in every aspect.”