Maya ‘Caltys’ Henckel has embarked on the path to becoming a professional eSports player. eSport accompanies the 20-year-old once a month.
She closes her eyes: It’s the last minutes of a nerve-wracking game in League of Legends – the world championship final! The opponent seems to be beaten, it’s only a matter of time. A few moments, then the base is destroyed. The game and tournament are won. Team members jump up, clench their fists, lie in each other’s arms. The view goes over the stands – 80,000 fans in the arena are cheering.
She opens her eyes: to her left are training instructions, a new game is starting. Another practice session to get closer to her dream: Professional eSportswoman. From now on, eSport will accompany two game ends through their challenges on this path, alternating every two weeks. Also those faced by amateur athletes who are flirting with a career. One of them is Maya ‘Caltys’ Henckel.
“… today, the competitive aspect is the best part of the game for me “
Born and raised in Stockholm, the 20-year-old became interested in eSports “early on”, she says in an interview with us. Her game of choice: League of Legends. At the age of 12, it was her older sister who took her into the world of MOBA.
Regularly, though, she didn’t start playing until 2015, “when I found friends from school who also played League”. That same year, she attended the LEC Summer Finals in her hometown with her father. To be on stage there herself one day “would be a dream come true”.
She describes herself as “determined, persistent and calm” and even though for her this dream seemed distant, she is pursuing her goal: “In the beginning it was mostly the fun of playing with friends that I enjoyed, but nowadays the competitive aspect is the best part of the game for me”. She finally realised her potential about five years ago “when I started playing more ranked games with good results. “
The biggest hurdle: confidence
In the meantime, she can make a living with competitions, on the “EUW” – the Western Europe server – she has reached the Challenger rank. It doesn’t get any higher than that. However, not without hurdles, the biggest one she had to overcome: “Self-confidence. When you’re the focus and everyone is always looking for the worst in you, it can be hard to keep a positive attitude and focus. “
She recharges her batteries with art and sport: “I’ve always loved drawing, these days I do a lot of indoor climbing, especially bouldering.” And another job in addition to League of Legends? There isn’t one. Although “I studied, I’m currently taking a break. League is what I do.
Her goal is clearly formulated: “I want to be the best, play with and against the best. From the stands into the limelight. Until then, however, it is still a matter of being determined, persistent and calm.
