ESL Impact Champion kyossa Announces Retirement from Professional CS

ESL Impact Champion kyossa Announces Retirement from Professional CS

Alexandra “kyossa” Tykhonska — a standout figure in the women’s Counter-Strike competitive scene and a key part of BIG EQUIPA’s championship run — has announced her retirement from professional Counter-Strike. The decision, confirmed by her organization and reported by HLTV.org, marks the end of her career at just 21 years old, closing out a journey that saw her rise from grassroots competition to one of the sport’s most prestigious women’s titles. 

BIG EQUIPA revealed that kyossa will step away from competitive play after helping the team win Season 8 of the ESL Impact League — the last edition of the tournament before it was discontinued. ESL Impact had served for several years as the premier competitive platform for women in Counter-Strike, offering structured leagues, LAN events, and international broadcast exposure — and its termination has left the women’s scene in a state of uncertainty. 

A Career Built on Growth and Success

Tykhonska first rose to prominence in 2023 with G2 Oya, a relatively new women’s roster at the time. From there, she continued progressing through the European female Counter-Strike ecosystem, participating in both online and LAN competitions. Over the years, she earned victories in mid-tier circuits such as the ELITE FE Cup 6 and made deep runs in multi-stage events like the Female Pro League, where her team finished second. 

In August 2025, kyossa joined BIG EQUIPA, where she displayed some of her best competitive form. During the team’s final season in ESL Impact — Season 8 — she posted a team-leading rating of 1.21, one of the highest across all competitors and a testament to her impact in key fixtures. 

The culmination of that season came at the finals in late November 2025, when BIG EQUIPA defeated MIBR fe in a tightly contested 2–1 best-of-three series to lift the championship trophy in Stockholm. That tournament not only served as a celebration of the full season’s efforts but also marked the official conclusion of ESL Impact — making the victory even more symbolic. 

The Context: ESL Impact League Ends

The ESL Impact League was launched in 2022 with the specific goal of fostering opportunities for women in professional Counter-Strike. Over eight seasons, the circuit grew slowly but meaningfully, providing a platform for teams and players to compete internationally, earn attention, and build careers in esports. However, ESL announced that the eighth season would be the final chapter in the project, effectively discontinuing the competition at the end of 2025. 

This decision has had ripple effects across the women’s scene. Many players, including kyossa, have faced an uncertain landscape for professional play, as regular global competition for female teams evaporates. kyossa herself remarked on social media about the broader consequences of Impact ending, noting the loss of not only job security but also community and long-term vision for women in Counter-Strike. 

BIG EQUIPA’s Transition and Roster Changes

With kyossa’s retirement, BIG EQUIPA’s roster will undergo further change. The organization — recently crowned Women's Team of the Year at the 2025 HLTV Awards — has already seen other movements, such as the departure of Wiktoria “vicu” Janicka to the reformed Pigeons roster. 

Currently, the core of BIG EQUIPA includes:

• Mayline-Joy “ASTRA” Champliaud (France) – long-time leader and IGL

• Hania “Hanka” Pudlis (Poland)

• Emma “Emmsan” Mattsson (Sweden)

• Krists “msn” Kalniņš (Latvia) – coach

Despite these changes, the team has declared its intent to stay together and continue competing — even as the competitive calendar shifts without ESL Impact as a centerpiece. 

Legacy and Future Prospects

kyossa’s departure is notable not just for her achievements on server but also for what it represents in the broader evolution of the women’s Counter-Strike scene. While she has chosen to retire from competitive CS, her accomplishments — culminating in an Impact championship and strong statistical performances — underscore her role as one of her generation’s most impactful players. 

Her retirement also highlights the challenges female players face in maintaining a viable professional career in esports without consistent, well-funded opportunities. With ESL Impact gone and no direct replacement yet announced, women’s teams are exploring alternative circuits, regional events, and mixed tournaments — all in an effort to maintain competitive momentum beyond the now-closed league. 

As kyossa transitions out of competitive Counter-Strike, many in the community will watch both her future steps and how the sport restructures opportunities for women at the highest levels of play.