Magomed 'Collapse' Khalilov from Team Spirit discussed the countries he has visited during his esports career and the discipline within his team during tournament travels.
Before he began attending esports tournaments, Khalilov had limited travel experience, having only flown to visit relatives in Azerbaijan with his father. Over his professional career, he has undertaken approximately 15 trips, visiting the USA, the UK, Peru, China, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Romania, Indonesia, Singapore, and other countries. Despite these travels, he described them as predominantly focused on tournament preparation, though he did manage to see some sights.
During the PGL Arlington Major, Khalilov faced a delay at the US border, which resulted in the team leaving without him. He had to make his way to the venue on his own, an experience he found challenging, especially since he had never flown such distances alone before. Upon arriving in Arlington at around 3 a.m. and finding the terminal almost deserted, he was left feeling uncertain about his next steps. Eventually, he reached his destination without further issues but noted that the experience left a lasting impression.
The team maintains a strict routine during travels. Upon arrival, they check into their hotel, then train both collectively and individually, discussing game strategies and drafts with their coach, and reviewing match recordings. Mornings are typically reserved for warm-up games and practice matches with other professional teams. They then head to the tournament venue to finalise strategies and compete, followed by evening sessions to review the day and prepare for the next.
While it is challenging, there is occasional time to explore the city and visit attractions. Khalilov enjoys visiting coastal cities and mountainous regions and cites Singapore, Seattle, and Lima as his favourite places. In some tournaments held in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, organisers offer excursions and various activities, but the team often prioritises preparation and skips these activities, particularly when advancing to the later stages of tournaments.
Strict discipline is enforced during such trips, including restrictions on visiting bars and clubs while the tournament is ongoing. There is also limited time for leisure activities after games due to the focus on preparation for upcoming matches or the desire to return home and rest.
Earlier, Khalilov shared his thoughts on Chinese Dota 2 fans he encountered during Clavision: Snow Ruyi.