Twistzz

Early life and introduction to gaming

Russel Van Dulken was born on November 14, 1999. His initial exposure to video games came through playing with his father, with his first first-person shooter being Quake. After his father moved away, Twistzz began dedicating more time to gaming. He and his mother later moved in with her boyfriend, which is when Twistzz started playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. This period was difficult, as his mother's boyfriend subjected him to verbal abuse, which hindered his early progress in CS:GO. In 2014, his mother left the relationship, providing a more stable environment that allowed Twistzz to focus on improving his skills in the game. His mother was supportive of his gaming pursuits, appreciating that it allowed her to know his whereabouts and giving him the space to develop his talent.

Early professional career (2015 to 2017)

Twistzz entered the professional scene in October 2015 when he joined his first team, Tectonic. Just two months later, in December 2015, he moved to SapphireKelownaDotCom, teaming up with veteran in-game leader Kyle "OCEAN" O'Brien. This roster was signed by the organization AGG in February 2016, where observers began to note Twistzz's potential as a promising new talent. In March 2016, AGG released its roster, leading Twistzz to briefly compete with team KKona alongside his former AGG teammates. His breakthrough came when he received a stand-in offer from the prominent organization Team SoloMid (TSM), alongside another veteran leader, Sean Gares. This opportunity led to a permanent contract with TSM, marking his entry into a major esports organization and setting the stage for his future career.

In January 2017, TSM released its roster, which was subsequently picked up by Misfits Gaming. Twistzz's tenure with Misfits was short-lived, as he joined Team Liquid in April 2017 following the departure of Jacob "Pimp" Winneche. His early time with Liquid established a pattern of high-level performance, with the team securing second-place finishes at significant events like ESL One New York 2017 and the ESG Tour Mykonos. The year concluded on a high note when Twistzz and Liquid won the Americas Minor Championship for ELEAGUE Boston in November 2017, qualifying them for their first Major tournament. This victory was a crucial step, proving the team could win a qualifying event and compete on the largest stage against the world's best.

Rise to prominence with Team Liquid (2018 to 2020)

The year 2018 was a period of both frustration and ascension for Twistzz and Team Liquid. They began with a 14th-place finish at the ELEAGUE Major: Boston, but quickly rebounded by winning cs_summit 2 in February. Throughout the spring and summer, Liquid became known as perennial runners-up, placing second at events like the ESL Pro League Season 7 final, the ECS Season 5 Finals, and ELEAGUE Season Premier 2018, often losing to the dominant Danish team Astralis. A significant breakthrough came at the FACEIT London Major in September, where Twistzz's strong performances helped Liquid dominate the initial stages. The team went 3-0 in both the New Challengers and New Legends stages, with Twistzz posting impressive HLTV ratings, including a 1.79 rating against Winstrike. Although Liquid ultimately fell to Astralis in the semifinals, the event solidified Twistzz's status as a star player and demonstrated his ability to perform under Major pressure.

Following the Major, Twistzz was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of ESL One New York 2018, though Liquid again finished second. HLTV later ranked him as the 12th best player in the world for 2018. The rivalry with Astralis defined much of 2019, but Liquid finally broke through by defeating them in the final of the iBUYPOWER Masters in January. The team's peak came in the first half of 2019, winning IEM Sydney in May, where Twistzz earned another MVP award with an average HLTV rating of 1.25, DreamHack Masters Dallas in June, and the ESL Pro League Season 9 Finals. Their victory at ESL One Cologne in July 2019 was historic, as it clinched the $1 million Intel Grand Slam, a prize for winning four designated tournaments within a limited window. Despite entering the Starladder Berlin Major as favourites, Liquid were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Astralis after a difficult 3-2 group stage where they struggled as heavy favourites.

Major championship and historic achievements with FaZe Clan (2021 to 2023)

In January 2021, Twistzz made a major career move by joining the international roster of FaZe Clan, replacing Markus "Kjaerbye" Kjærbye. His first year with the team yielded mixed results, with a notable 3rd-4th place finish at IEM Cologne 2021 standing out as the first large CS:GO event after the COVID-19 pandemic began. HLTV ranked him as the 17th best player of 2021. The team's fortunes transformed dramatically in early 2022 with the addition of Robin "ropz" Kool, who replaced Olof "olofmeister" Kajbjer. FaZe Clan immediately found success, finishing first in the BLAST Premier Spring Groups, winning IEM Katowice 2022, and securing first place in ESL Pro League Season 15. The pinnacle of this run came in May 2022 at the PGL Major Antwerp, where Twistzz won his first Major championship. This achievement made him only the second North American player, after Jake "Stewie2K" Yip, to win both a Major and an Intel Grand Slam.

After the Major, FaZe had some disappointing results but used the online Roobet Cup to expand their tactical map pool, finishing second to BIG Clan. This preparation led directly to their next triumph at IEM Cologne 2022, where they defeated the world's top-ranked team, Natus Vincere, with a 3-2 map score. This victory made FaZe the first team in CS:GO history to win IEM Katowice, a Major, and IEM Cologne in a single calendar year. In March 2023, Twistzz added another historic milestone to his career. FaZe Clan's victory at ESL Pro League Season 17 secured the Intel Grand Slam Season 4, making Twistzz the first and only player to win two Intel Grand Slams. This period cemented his legacy as one of the most accomplished players in the game. In December 2023, Twistzz departed FaZe Clan to return to his former organization, Team Liquid, seeking a new challenge.

Return to Team Liquid and leadership role (2024 to 2025)

Twistzz's return to Team Liquid in late 2023 came during a period of transition for the squad. In the latter half of 2024, following the benching of in-game leader Casper "cadiaN" Møller, Twistzz assumed the leadership role for the team. This period was challenging, as the team struggled to find consistent form against top competition. In June 2025, Liquid signed Polish player Kamil "Siuhy" Szkaradek, who replaced Justin "jks" Savage and took over the in-game leader duties from Twistzz. The team's performance did not improve, suffering an 0-3 exit from the BLAST.TV Austin Major and failing to qualify for ESL Pro League Season 22. On September 13, 2025, during the FISSURE Playground 2 event, Team Liquid announced Twistzz's departure following the conclusion of the tournament. Later that same day, FaZe Clan announced his return to their active roster ahead of ESL Pro League Season 22. He quickly helped his new-old team reach the grand finals of the StarLadder Budapest Major, moving through Stage 1 from the 1-2 bracket after nearly losing to RED Canids in a close match.

Recent career and in-game leadership for FaZe (2026)

Twistzz began 2026 with FaZe Clan, but the team experienced a slow start, losing 1-2 to Eyeballers in his first tournament game of the year at BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 and being subsequently eliminated. Throughout February, FaZe continued underperforming, being eliminated from PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026 and IEM Krakow 2026 in the group play stages. Despite these team results, Twistzz performed well individually, on average being the second highest rated player on the team in matches, indicating he maintained his personal skill level. A significant shift occurred on April 20, 2026, when FaZe's long-time in-game leader, Finn "karrigan" Andersen, departed the team. Twistzz once again stepped into the leadership void, taking over as the in-game leader for FaZe Clan. His first event in this new role was BLAST Rivals 2026, where he led the team to qualify for the playoffs after a 2-1 victory over FURIA, ultimately placing 3rd-4th after a loss to Natus Vincere in the playoff bracket.

Playing style, records, and legacy

Twistzz is renowned for his precise rifling, consistent performance in high-pressure situations, and adaptability. His career is distinguished by a rare combination of individual skill and team success across multiple top organizations. He is a foundational figure in North American Counter-Strike, having been part of the region's most successful international squad with Team Liquid in 2019 and the globally dominant FaZe Clan roster of 2022 to 2023. His unique achievements set him apart in the history of the game. Beyond his trophy case, Twistzz has demonstrated significant versatility by successfully taking on the in-game leader role at different points in his career with both Team Liquid and FaZe Clan, which requires a deep understanding of the game's strategy and team dynamics and an ability to make decisions under pressure.

His career is marked by specific, quantifiable records that highlight his consistent excellence and historic impact on the esport. He won his first big event and was named MVP at IEM Sydney 2019. In 2022, he won his first Major championship at the PGL Major Antwerp 2022. In March 2023, he won the Intel Grand Slam Season 4 with FaZe Clan, making him the first player to win two Grand Slams.

• First player to win two Intel Grand Slam titles (with Team Liquid in 2019 and FaZe Clan in 2023).
• Won the PGL Major Antwerp 2022 with FaZe Clan.
• Second North American player to win both a Major championship and an Intel Grand Slam.
• MVP awards at ESL One New York 2018 and IEM Sydney 2019.
• Part of the first team to win IEM Katowice, a Major, and IEM Cologne in one year (FaZe Clan, 2022).
• HLTV Top 20 player rankings: 12th (2018) and 17th (2021).
• Won the Intel Grand Slam Season 4 with FaZe Clan in March 2023.
• Helped Team Liquid win the Americas Minor Championship for ELEAGUE Boston in November 2017.

These accomplishments, from early qualifying wins to the highest trophies in the sport, solidify his status as one of the most decorated and influential Canadian esports athletes of his generation. He joined his first professional team, Tectonic, in October 2015. His journey includes playing for top teams such as Team SoloMid, Misfits, Team Liquid, and FaZe Clan. His resilience is shown through team changes, such as joining FaZe Clan in 2021 and returning to Team Liquid in 2023.

Tournament performance and statistics

Twistzz's career can be tracked through his performances at the highest-level events, particularly Majors and Grand Slam tournaments. His statistics at these tournaments reveal a player who delivered in critical moments. At the FACEIT London Major in 2018, he posted exceptionally high HLTV ratings during the group stages, including a 1.47 rating against HellRaisers and a 1.54 rating against Vega Squadron. His peak rating at that event was 1.79 in the New Legends Stage match against Winstrike. While his team often finished second in 2018, his individual MVP award at ESL One New York that year confirmed his elite status. The table below outlines key results from major tournaments throughout his career, highlighting the evolution from contender to champion across different organizations and team compositions.

This progression from finalist to winner across different teams demonstrates Twistzz's ability to integrate into and improve any roster he joins. He was named MVP of ESL One New York 2018 and IEM Sydney 2019, where he had an average HLTV rating of 1.25. In early 2026, he was on average the second highest rated player on a struggling FaZe Clan team. His performance helped FaZe Clan qualify for the playoffs at BLAST Rivals 2026 after an underdog victory over FURIA.

Questions about Twistzz

What is Twistzz's real name?

Twistzz's real name is Russel David Kevin Van Dulken. He was born on November 14, 1999, in Canada. He adopted the professional alias Twistzz at the beginning of his esports career. This name has become widely recognized in the global Counter-Strike community.

What teams has Twistzz played for?

Twistzz has played for several prominent organizations throughout his career. His first major team was Team SoloMid (TSM), followed by Misfits Gaming. In 2021, he joined FaZe Clan, where he won a Major, before briefly returning to Team Liquid in late 2023. He re-joined FaZe Clan in September 2025 and remains with them as of 2026.

What are Twistzz's biggest achievements?

Twistzz's biggest achievements include winning the PGL Major Antwerp 2022. He won the Intel Grand Slam with Team Liquid in 2019 and again with FaZe Clan in 2023, making him the first player to win two Grand Slams. He was named the MVP of ESL One New York 2018 and IEM Sydney 2019. He was part of the FaZe Clan team that won IEM Katowice 2022, the PGL Major Antwerp 2022, and IEM Cologne 2022 in one year.

Has Twistzz ever been an in-game leader?

Yes, Twistzz has served as an in-game leader (IGL) at different points in his career. He first took on the role for Team Liquid in the second half of 2024 after Casper "cadiaN" Møller was benched. Later, in April 2026, he assumed the IGL role for FaZe Clan following the departure of Finn "karrigan" Andersen. His first event leading FaZe was BLAST Rivals 2026, where the team placed 3rd-4th.

Why is Twistzz important to North American Counter-Strike?

Twistzz is important to North American Counter-Strike as a key player in its international success. He was part of the Team Liquid squad that won the Intel Grand Slam in 2019. His Major victory at the PGL Major Antwerp 2022 with FaZe Clan made him the second North American player to win both a Major championship and an Intel Grand Slam. He is a Canadian professional player who has played for top North American organizations like Team Liquid.

What happened to Twistzz in 2025?

In 2025, Twistzz was playing for Team Liquid but the team faced poor results, including an 0-3 exit from the BLAST.TV Austin Major. In June, Liquid signed a new in-game leader, Kamil "Siuhy" Szkaradek, moving Twistzz out of that role. On September 13, 2025, Liquid announced his departure, and FaZe Clan immediately announced his return to their roster. He helped FaZe reach the grand finals of the StarLadder Budapest Major shortly after rejoining.

Sources and further reading

• Twistzz (Wikipedia)
• Twistzz Fan Site (twistzz.com)

Checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-31.