The International 2025 Adds Yakutou Brothers
The International 2025 faced an unexpected turn when Gaimin Gladiators, one of the directly invited teams, withdrew shortly before the event. Their departure left a vacant slot that has now been filled by Yakutou Brothers, a Chinese squad stepping into the spotlight at the world’s biggest Dota 2 tournament.
This change means that three Chinese teams will now compete in Hamburg, marking a significant presence for the region. With the roster confirmed, the tournament can move forward as planned, restoring stability after the sudden withdrawal.
Why the Yakutou Brothers enter The International 2025
A fresh contender steps forward
The withdrawal of Gaimin Gladiators opened an unexpected path into The International 2025, and Valve quickly filled the gap with Yakutou Brothers. This decision bypassed speculation around other potential replacements, including long-standing organizations like OG. Instead, the Chinese roster secured a direct invitation, ensuring the tournament retained a full lineup without resorting to regional qualifiers.
The team, previously recognized under the name Yakult Brothers, has been competing together since late 2024. While each player carries valuable major tournament experience, this marks their first collective appearance at The International. Their entry highlights Valve’s tendency to prioritize active, competitive rosters over legacy names struggling with consistency.
Yakutou Brothers arrive in Hamburg with a lineup that blends seasoned veterans and adaptable talent. The roster includes:
| Player | In-game Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Zhou Yi | Emo | Mid |
| Jin Zhiyi | flyfly | Carry |
| Xiang Zhenghong | Beyond | Offlane |
| Chan Chon Kien | Oli | Support |
| Ye Zhibiao | BoBoKa | Support |
Each of these players has featured on prominent Chinese and Southeast Asian teams in the past, giving the squad a foundation of competitive knowledge. Their cohesion since forming has allowed them to steadily improve, even if they have yet to secure a major title.
China now fields three representatives at TI2025, joining Xtreme Gaming and Team Tidebound. This distribution reinforces the region’s continued strength in the global Dota 2 scene. With Hamburg hosting the event, Yakutou Brothers have only a short window to refine strategies and adapt to the high-pressure environment.
The team enters not as a favorite, but as a capable challenger with the tools to disrupt expectations. Whether they can convert this late opportunity into a deep run will depend on their ability to translate individual skill into consistent team execution on the biggest stage.
