📝 Natsuki Comments on 2025 Season: “I'm Very Happy With My Season”

Sakura Esports finished 5th–6th place in Stage 2, and it seemed as though this roster was fated for a similar finish in Stage 3. But then, the team stunned the region in the Lower Bracket Quarterfinals with their victory over NTMR.

It was a homecoming for many of the players on Sakura, as this victory not only broke the 5th–6th curse but also proved that these players could compete with the very best.

However, Sakura’s homecoming would be short-lived. The team lost to Spacestation Gaming, as Niels "Natsuki" van Herwijnen’s brutal Ajax on King’s Row drained the momentum they needed to qualify for Stockholm.

Despite the heartbreaking misplay and 4th-place finish, Natsuki remained proud of what he and his team accomplished in 2025 and even remained optimistic about their chances in 2026.

OWTV spoke with Natsuki to get his final reflections on the 2025 OWCS season, his personal growth as a player, and what fans can expect from him and Sakura Esports in 2026.

Q: How do you feel your Stage 3 run went?

Currently feeling pretty heartbroken. Hugging zzz [Z. "zzz" Harvey] after losing, knowing how badly we wanted it, and how do-able it ended up, brought me to tears.

If you'd ask me in a couple days, I'd probably say we can be very proud of what we accomplished together. All six of us would've been sitting out due to rostermania, but due to some divine intervention, we all ended up with each other for the stage. I know a couple of my teammates really wanted to break their 5th–6th curse and show everyone that they are the real deal. I think we made incredible progress throughout the season to break into the "Top 4," and show we can be competitive and take maps from anyone in the region. I truly believed going into the playoffs that all my teammates are among the best in their role in NA, and it was very vindicating for us to win that NTMR match.

Expectations for us were very low; people [were] putting us in the relegation battle at the start of the season. I'm really happy to prove everyone wrong, and blowing expectations out of the water truly is the main theme of my rookie year in OWCS.

Q: How does Stage 3’s run fit into your overall 2025 Season?

I am convinced that if you get five wholesome and fun human beings together that actually enjoy playing together, you'll see results. And I have been incredibly lucky to have been surrounded by the kindest and most dedicated players on both my teams this year, both on Sakura and on Quick/1DIPvs100GORILLAS.

My biggest strength is to help my team focus on THE ONE most important thing in practice every day, so we improve consistently while still having a blast. I cannot overstate how blessed I have been this year, being surrounded by people that appreciated this skill set of mine and were willing to buy in and go on this journey together.

For me, it's no surprise that my teammates, like Dip, Willys, Zydra, Z, and Xomba, are having breakout performances, considering how much work they put in and how much we have learned alongside each other. Seeing Dip and Willys qualify for Stockholm literally had me jumping up and down in excitement.

I think my season has been defined by growth and surprising people with how competitive I can be. This last stage was just another step in that journey to the top.

From being underdogs in Face-it masters to easily winning promotion/relegation in Stage 1. From being OWCS rookies with bottom-feeder expectations to beating The Ultimates and taking Virtus.pro & PEPS all the way to 5. From a transfer of regions with another bottom-feeder expectation in NA to make play-offs and break into the top 4

I'm very happy with my season as a whole, but even more so, I'm proud of the amazing teammates and friendships I have developed this year. I cannot describe how phenomenal it feels to see all the long nights and hard conversations have turned myself and my friends into real competitors for the future.

Q: Currently it is assumed, based on available information, that Sakura Esports will return in 2026, avoiding Promotion/Relegation. What are your personal goals for next season?

People sometimes ask me why I even started competing at such an old age. Unlike most, I never competed when I was a teen or while I was studying, and only started playing after I got my bachelor’s degree. But once I got a taste, being a benchwarmer for Team Netherlands at 25 during the last OWWC, I knew I had to make it there next time around. Two years have passed since and I am better than ever, ready to compete and get my country to a main event. That has always been a big goal for me.

Personally, I really want to keep doing what I am doing for as long as I'm allowed and become the Main Support I can be. Once a new OWWC gets announced, I will be ready. My play has never been better, and I intend on keeping that momentum going forward.

A lot will likely happen in the off-season as the 2026 format has not been announced yet, and there are potentially new partner teams on the horizon. A lot of everyone's decisions will likely come down to what the plans are for OW esports next year.

I would run it back with my lovely teammates in Sakura in a heartbeat. They are genuinely some of the best teammates I could've wished for. Not only did we get to show off how good we are, I am willing to bet my life on the fact that we had THE MOST vibes and fun out of any team this season. Scrimming every day was genuinely some of the most fun I've had in Overwatch in my life.

That being said, my teammates are all really deserving of being on partner teams with how good they are. I truly wish for them to get offered massive opportunities for next year. If the world wants us to show the region up one more time before those opportunities arise, I will be there alongside them. ;)

Q: What is the one thing you want your fans to know to close out 2025?

For the people following the scene, thank you for caring enough about this silly game to keep it alive and kicking.

I really appreciate all the support and hate I have received over the last stages. It's hard to explain, but both make me strive to be an even better player in the future, so from the bottom of my heart: THANK YOU!

To close out 2025, I'd humbly ask you to keep an eye out for my teammates and cheer them on wherever they may go. They are some of the nicest people you could find, and they could not be more worthy of your support.

Special shout-out to zzz for generously letting me stay with them as their roommate for the past months and a bit. I could not have asked for a better friend and teammate <3

Love you all and take care!