HOTU have recalled Aidos “kade0” Khairzhan from his loan stint at DEPO, bringing the Kazakh rifler back into their active Counter-Strike 2 lineup. The move represents another chapter in the organisation’s extensive roster reconstruction following their disappointing 9th-12th place showing at IEM Rio 2026.
Post-Rio Shake-up Continues
The team’s recent struggles prompted significant changes after their Brazilian campaign ended in disappointment. HOTU managed just one victory over Legacy before suffering defeats to Aurora and Natus Vincere that sent them packing early from the prestigious tournament.
Following their return from Rio, the organisation moved swiftly to address their roster concerns. Suleımen “dukefissura” Orazaly found himself benched after a full year on the active squad, whilst Altair “kAlash” Askarov—who had been on loan from AMKAL since October 2025—was released entirely.
Familiar Face Returns
kade0’s homecoming isn’t entirely surprising given his previous history with the team. The rifler spent a full season with HOTU before being benched in November 2025, subsequently featuring for ALLINNERS and most recently DEPO on temporary deals.
His stint with the Uzbekistani outfit proved particularly productive, posting an impressive 1.42 rating that undoubtedly caught HOTU’s attention as they searched for immediate solutions to their form slump.
From Promise to Problems
The current upheaval stands in stark contrast to HOTU’s earlier achievements this year. The team reached career-high rankings after claiming the Roman Imperium Cup V title, defeating Gentle Mates in the final to pocket $5,929. Dmitry “mizu” Kondratev’s tournament-leading 1.42 rating and David “n0rb3r7” Danielyan’s spectacular 2.01 showing on Overpass in the grand final had Major qualification within touching distance.
That Portuguese triumph briefly elevated HOTU to 19th in the Valve Regional Standings, sparking genuine conversations about their Major prospects. However, their momentum stalled dramatically, leaving them outside qualification contention and currently ranked 36th globally.
The current active roster features n0rb3r7, mizu, Kim “frontales” Argunov, and the returning kade0, with Rustem “mou” Telepov continuing as coach. HOTU will test their revamped lineup at CCT 2026 Europe Series 1 and NODWIN Clutch Series 8, hoping kade0’s loan-spell form translates into the stability they desperately need.
