“I really enjoy standing under the spotlight” - ZmjjKK talks pressure, expectations, and EDG’s road ahead after loss to NRG

The group stage of VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Valorant Champions continues, and the first game of Group C featured a high-stakes matchup between EDward Gaming and NRG. This time, it was NRG who thrived on the battlefield. After winning VCT 2024 - Champions 2024, all eyes are now on EDG as fans hope they can secure back-to-back titles. Among them, the legendary Zheng "ZmjjKK" Yongkang stepped back onto the international stage. Following the loss to NRG, THESPIKE.GG sat down with ZmjjKK to talk about the pressure of being a former Champions winner.

VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Valorant Champions

NRG

2

X

0

EDward Gaming

Group C - Opening Match, Best of 3 - September 13, 2025 - 1:05PM

17

Abyss

15

13

Corrode

11

NRG

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

Ethan

1.18

221

39/38/32

+1

1.03

69.8%

149.5

31%

33%

4

8

skuba

1.17

237

47/36/14

+11

1.31

79.2%

151.6

34%

50%

4

4

s0m

1.15

210

41/41/22

0

1.00

74.0%

134.1

26%

33%

3

6

mada

1.03

216

46/42/9

+4

1.10

66.7%

152.6

26%

47%

8

9

brawk

0.83

183

31/39/19

-8

0.79

73.4%

134.2

17%

60%

6

4

EDward Gaming

player

Rating

ACS

K/D/A

+/-

K/D

KAST

ADR

HS%

FBSR

FB

FD

Smoggy

1.25

223

46/34/21

+12

1.35

78.7%

143.1

32%

100%

2

0

ZmjjKK

1.16

247

46/43/13

+3

1.07

71.4%

154.2

32%

57%

12

9

CHICHOO

0.86

178

35/41/16

-6

0.85

70.3%

126.6

23%

42%

5

7

nobody

0.84

176

35/39/10

-4

0.90

73.4%

119.9

32%

57%

4

3

Jieni7

0.81

168

34/47/10

-13

0.72

71.9%

109.0

22%

57%

8

6

Falling to NRG

EDG’s first match in the group stage didn’t go as planned. Despite a dominant 10–2 lead on their map pick, Abyss, NRG pulled off an incredible reverse sweep to steal the map. EDG then struggled on Corrode and lost the series 2–0.

Even in defeat, a composed ZmjjKK remained positive about the team’s performance, noting that the next step is learning how to close maps properly.

“I think maybe we just played this map pretty well, and there was not much preparation. We need to make some adjustments on our details.”

Earlier in September, Riot Games announced that Champions Paris would feature the new map pool. The return of Abyss was welcome news for EDG, and they were the first team in the tournament to dust off their Abyss playbook. Although they ultimately lost against NRG, Abyss was the map on which they took home the Champions 2024 title.

“I'm really happy about the comeback of Abyss. Last year, we won the Champions trophy because of this map.”

In the spotlight

After missing VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Toronto 2025, EDG’s return to the international stage is a big moment for the fans. Their domestic performance in VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - China Stage 2 was underwhelming, ending in a lower bracket finals loss that placed them as China’s third seed. Now, they want to show the fans that they still have what is required to take home the Paris trophy.

Of the players on EDG, ZmjjKK is in the spotlight. As they won Champions 2024, ZmjjKK was awarded the prestigious MVP award. He now has a lot of pressure on him to once again lead his team to a Champs win.

“It must come with some pressure, but for me individually, I really enjoy standing under the spotlight. So we suffer from the pressure but I also enjoy it.”

Coming to Paris as the third seed, ZmjjKK doesn’t really see himself as the defending champion. For him, the important thing is to take it one match at a time. However, the dream of lifting his second Champs trophy and getting back-to-back Champions wins is still very real.

“I think it sounds like a dream and before the match I don't care about if I can grab the Champions trophy. The only thing I care about is how to perform well in our next matchup.”

Improved individually

On a personal level, ZmjjKK believes he’s grown significantly over the past year. With VALORANT constantly evolving through new agents and maps, staying ahead requires constant adaptation. One agent that ZmjjKK has improved on is Yoru. Previously known for his explosive Raze, Jett, and Neon plays, ZmjjKK has now adapted his game to master the trickier tempo of Yoru. After the game against NRG, he reflected on his performance on stage.

“I think for me individually, I have improved, especially on Yoru. I couldn't play him before, but right now I can play Yoru much better. But I think I didn't manage to show up on the stage today.”

After Champions 2024, ZmjjKK was widely considered one of the best Duelists in the world. For him, it doesn’t matter if he is ranked the best Duelist across the regions, he just wants people to remember his name at the end of the day.

"I think I'm one of the best Duelists. I don't want to rank first or second. For me, I just want to play at a high level. And every time when people think of me, they think, KangKang is one of the best Duelists in this world.”

Will take on anyone

ZmjjKK isn’t concerned with the group draw or who EDG faces next. His mindset is clear: focus on their own game. According to him, it’s the same to play against all the different regions.

“I really don't care who we are going to play against. I just want to focus on ourselves, play our own thing.”

In their next matchup, Team Liquid stands in EDG’s way. After losing their match to DRX, the first seed from EMEA will try to take down EDG in the first elimination match of Group C. One team will have to go home early from Paris.

For all things VALORANT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.

Note: This interview was conducted alongside an on-site English-Chinese translator.

Featured image credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games.