ASTRA transitions from CS2 to VALORANT for competitive opportunity
BIG EQUIPAMayline-Joy "ASTRA" Champliaud announces her move to VALORANT after disappointing developments in women's Counter-Strike.
Mayline-Joy "ASTRA" Champliaud has officially announced her departure from the Counter-Strike scene to pursue opportunities in VALORANT. The decision comes in response to the decline of female participation in CS2 and the diminishing tournament opportunities for female teams.
ASTRA's notable achievements include leading BIG EQUIPA to victory at the ESL Impact League Season 8, where her performance garnered her the 2025 Women’s Player of the Year title. Additionally, BIG EQUIPA received the accolade for Women's Team of the Year.
However, with the ESL Impact circuit having been placed on hold at the conclusion of 2025, several organizations, including BIG EQUIPA, have disbanded their female teams, with the latter pausing their project in May.
Reflecting on her decision, ASTRA stated on X, "I find myself missing practice and competition. Therefore, I made the decision to transition to VALORANT and to put my focus into a growing scene." She emphasized her continuing ambition to compete at the highest level, adding, "My goals are the same as in CS, I only want to compete for the top. This wasn't an easy decision to make but I'm in a happy place, I'm very passionate and committed to what I set out to do and this is a challenge that I would love to take on."