Donk Dominates StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 — Highest HLTV Rating & Stage Performance Summary

Danil “donk” Kryshkovets of Team Spirit finished StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 as the highest-rated player in the tournament, posting a 1.57 HLTV Rating 3.0, the best figure recorded so far at this Major — even surpassing his own previous record from the BLAST.tv Austin Major. 

This performance cements donk’s reputation as one of CS2’s most lethal riflers in 2025 and a major contender in the race for Player of the Year awards across the global season. 

Epic Stage 3 Run: donk Leads the Field

During the Group Stage and Stage 3 of the Budapest Major, donk’s impact was undeniable:

• He finished Stage 3 with an unreal 1.73 rating, a clear margin above all other competitors. 

• His Stage 3 rating was higher than top names like ZywOo, KSCERATO, and molodoy. 

• Team Spirit reached the playoffs impressively, with donk delivering consistency across key maps. 

This statistical excellence highlights donk’s breakout year in CS2, where he also featured prominently in top performance leaderboards throughout 2025.

Standout Achievements from the Major

Highest Overall HLTV Rating: 1.57

Donk topped the entire Major in average rating — a number that places him above all other teams’ players this event. 

Dominant Group Stage & Swiss Results

Spirit finished Swiss Group play with a clean record, advancing into later stages thanks in large part to donk’s firepower. 

Key Performances Along the Way

Spirit’s Swiss run included standout victories — e.g., a 13-5 win over FaZe that saw donk carry with a high rating.

Against Falcons in the playoffs, donk continued his strong form with a 1.53 map rating. 

Semifinal & Final: Vitality Reigns, but donk Still Shines

Team Spirit’s run ended in the semifinals against Team Vitality, who secured a 2-0 series win and went on to the Grand Final. 

Even in defeat, donk outscored many stars statistically, finishing with a 1.33 rating in the semifinal series, a strong output amid elite competition. 

Vitality advanced to the finals and ultimately won the Major title, becoming back-to-back Major champions. 

ZywOo Wins MVP, ZywOo vs. Donk Narrative

Although donk had the highest overall rating, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut of Vitality was named MVP of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, marking his third Major MVP in career history — a rare achievement among CS2 elites. 

ZywOo’s performances included extraordinary individual maps (like a 2.47 rating on Mirage in the quarterfinals) and consistently high impact throughout Vitality’s championship run. 

Donk’s Mindset and Player Quotes

While official quotes from donk about the Budapest Major final are still emerging, community discussions highlight his growing maturity and competitive ambition at age 18, with many fans noting his remarkable mental resilience and killer instinct throughout this season’s top events.