HLTV Editor: Donk’s 2025 Stats Surpass Most Historic #1 Players
The Best #2 in Counter-Strike History?
The dust has settled on the HLTV Top 20 players of 2025 list, and while Danil "donk" Kryshkovets officially landed in the second-place spot, the conversation around his performance is far from over. Zvonimir "Professeur" Burazin, a prominent editor at HLTV, recently voiced a bold take on the HLTV Confirmed podcast, suggesting that donk’s 2025 campaign was statistically superior to the majority of players who have actually won the #1 spot in previous years.
"Realistically, we will remember donk's year as the best year for a player to not win number 1," Professeur stated during the broadcast. He further emphasized that anyone with a deep understanding of the game would recognize that this specific #2 performance is "better than 80% of all other number 1s" throughout the history of the franchise.
Breaking Down the Numbers: Donk vs. S1mple
To understand the magnitude of donk's 2025, one must look at the raw data. The young Team Spirit rifler didn't just maintain a high rating; he dominated in categories typically reserved for elite AWPers. His average damage per round (ADR), kills per round (KPR), and opening duel success rates have reached heights rarely seen in professional Counter-Strike.
Historically, the gold standard for an individual season has been s1mple’s legendary 2021 run. While s1mple's 2021 remains the pinnacle for many, donk’s 2025 is the only performance that truly rivals it in terms of sheer statistical impact. The fact that donk achieved these numbers as a rifler—a role that generally offers fewer survival opportunities than AWPing—makes the feat even more impressive.
Betting Implications: The "Donk Factor" in 2026
For bettors and analysts, donk’s second-place finish provides a unique psychological angle for the upcoming season. Despite his lower win rate in 2025—which he ironically claimed made him the "best in the world" in his own eyes—donk has already stated his goal for 2026 is to "win every tournament and build an era."
Key Betting Takeaways:
- Consistency is King: Donk’s ability to maintain a monstrous floor means Spirit is rarely a safe bet to be blown out, even against top-tier opposition.
- Opening Duel Markets: Given his aggressive entry style and high success rate, donk remains the primary target for "First Kill" or "Opening Duel" prop bets.
- Upset Potential: As long as donk is producing these historic numbers, Team Spirit will always carry significant upset potential against higher-ranked teams, often offering value when listed as slight underdogs.
