The MongolZ, with the backing of 1xBet, have risen from humble beginnings to become prominent figures in the global esports landscape.
This journey from Mongolia, a country with a population of just 3.5 million, to international acclaim is a story of perseverance and ambition.
Founded in 2013 by Tuvshinbileg ‘Oroitsonboroo’ Lkhagvasuren, The MongolZ initially focused on Dota 2 before expanding into Counter-Strike. Key founding members included Enkhtaivan ‘Machinegun’ Lkhagva, Temuulen ‘Zilkenberg’ Battulga and Erdenedalai ‘MaaRaa’ Bayanbat, who now coaches the team.
Their first major triumph came with a victory at the Intel Extreme Masters X Taipei in 2016, followed by success at ASUS ROG Masters 2016. Despite these victories, maintaining a consistent presence among top-tier teams proved challenging due to limited support from the government and sponsors, which impacted training and participation in international competitions.
By the end of 2022, The MongolZ faced potential dissolution, yet the esports scene in Mongolia was undergoing a transformation. Emerging athletes were eager to compete globally. In early 2023, IHC Esports, featuring players like Garidmagnai ‘bLitz’ Byambasuren and Sodbayar ‘Techno4K’ Munkhbold, successfully completed the Asian qualifiers for the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023.
On April 3rd, 2023, this roster, along with Coach Bayanbat, was rebranded as The MongolZ.
1xBet, having previously sponsored IHC Esports, recognised the potential of the project and became the official partner of the newly formed team. With 1xBet’s support, The MongolZ trained in Europe at premier boot camps, gaining invaluable experience by competing alongside top teams.
Maintaining the same line-up, they replaced IHC Esports in the Asian qualifiers for the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023. By the end of 2023, The MongolZ had achieved stabilisation at around the 20th spot in the HLTV rankings.
The launch of Valve’s official team ranking system in 2024, where The MongolZ debuted at 25th place, further boosted their profile. Before the second major of that year, 1xBet Mongol celebrated the team with a mural in Ulaanbaatar.
The MongolZ enjoyed a breakthrough year, with successes in tournaments like eXTREMESLAND 2023 and the Thunderpick World Championship 2024. Their prize money exceeded $1 million, placing them among the top financially successful teams of the season.
In February 2025, The MongolZ achieved national recognition as part of Mongolia’s national esports team. Their continuous play-off appearances paid off, and by June 2025, they reached the group stage of the BLAST.tv Austin Major.
Despite losing to Vitality in the Grand Final, their performance captured global attention, propelling them to 3rd place in the HLTV rankings. They clinched Silver in several tournaments and Gold at the Esports World Cup 2025.
By September 2025, The MongolZ achieved the ultimate accolade, reaching No.1 in both Valve and HLTV rankings. This remarkable ascent from underdogs to leaders underscores their determination and talent.
As they continue to make waves in the esports world, supported by 1xBet, The MongolZ aim to secure a major victory, setting a precedent for Asian esports.
