KC Yike: New Year's Resolutions, Fearless Draft and Joining KC

Image credit - Yike's X (formerly Twitter)

Following a stellar opening weekend on his new team Karmine Corp - I caught up with Martin 'Yike' Sundelin to chat about his swap to KC and closing thoughts at the end of week 1 of LEC Winter 2025. 

From G2 Esports to Karmine Corp

Nia: After 2 years at G2 we've seen you move across to KC, how has the transition been and what was your motivation for this move?

Yike: The transition across has gone pretty smooth, ever since I joined the team I've met everyone in person back in Paris during December and it's been a nice experience so far. I really like everyone here, everyone is so hard-working mindset and I really like that - especially as we showed that this week in game [a 2-1 scoreline certainly proves it]. I always feel hyped up with all of them no matter what. 

Image credits - Liquipedia 2025 

Nia: We heard Laure say on broadcast that she visited KC's HQ and that the team had really bonded, how has the start of the season been with the new team?

Yike: I feel very happy here and it's really nice you know, I can talk to anyone this team, both staff and players and I don't feel like there are problems. Everything is good.

Showing up on opening week 2025

Nia: The early game looked really uncomfortable for KC, GiantX was simply everywhere on the map, what were comms like during it all?

Yike: We wanted to dive enemy bot, so I started going there, but then he was in the bush and I get chased. The whole plan got doomed, and Canna had to go [to the ... lane] top but there were three top lane already and I had to heal but when I got there it was already done. Early game was a big disaster for us. 

Image credit - screenshot of week 1 day 3 stream

Nia: Even with this loss, you finish the week on 2-1 - how does this meet your and the team's expectations for the start of Winter 2025? Especially considering the standing of KC this time last year.

Yike: I'm happy with this, my expectation is always to go 3-0, win everything you know but you can't get everything you want. I'm still happy either way, KC last time [last year] was a pretty rough split, so starting 2-1 is pretty good, I'm happy and excited to play more games. I can't wait, I want to go to next week already and start playing, but before then we've got scrims and I'm excited to start improving.

Image credit - Yike's X (formerly Twitter)

Nia: You obviously had one of this week's wins against your former team G2 Esports, and it was pegged as a revenge match by some, how do you feel having secured the win over your former team and teammates? 

Yike: For me it was the most important game individually, obviously it's my old team, three of my old teammates, all of the old staff and I really wanted to beat them because of that. We did, I'm very happy and got MVP as well which feels nice, I'm really happy with how the day went. We are a good team, and showing that we can beat G2 was a great start for us. 

Starting 2025 off right and looking ahead

Nia: It's 2025 already which feels crazy, so did you make any resolutions for this year? 

Yike: New year's resolutions? I didn't make it any this year, I just went with the flow honestly. My off-season was very stressful, all the team stuff - joining KC, I didn't get much time to relax, the holidays were nice but I didn't really make any resolutions. 

Nia: If you were to make one?

Yike: Maybe just work out more with my team.

Image via LoL Esports 2025

Nia: With the introduction of First Stand, and it being exclusive to the top team of each region, what do you think KC needs to do to secure the LEC slot? 

Yike: We have to show more consistent game play, all the games we played this week was just me stealing Atakhan, two games of me stealing it and we won, I didn't steal it this time and we lost so more macro and tempo plays. Our team fighting and positioning knowledge is very very good - possibly the best in the League.

Nia: Fearless draft will be arriving for LEC very very soon, how are you guys feeling ahead of it's arrival? Especially as we've already seen it in the LPL and LCK.

Yike: I'm very excited, I've been looking forward to it, because I feel like I have a big champion pool and it'll mean I won't be playing Malphite every time. Of course I'm looking forward to it, I think the whole team is looking forward to it, it's going to be very fun to play and experience it, we've seen it in LPL and LCK and it'll be good to try it in LEC. I'm really looking forward to it. 

Special thanks to Yike for agreeing to be interviewed by yours truly. Come back next week for LEC Winter week 2 content!

See you next time!