Twistzz

A two-time Grand Slam winner and Major champion who has led both Team Liquid and FaZe Clan through historic runs.

Russel David Kevin Van Dulken, known professionally as Twistzz, is a Canadian Counter-Strike veteran who currently competes for FaZe Clan after a significant tenure with Team Liquid. Born on November 14, 1999, he began his journey in FPS games like Quake before transitioning to CS:GO. His career is marked by high-level achievements including two Intel Grand Slams and a Major championship victory at PGL Major Antwerp 2022. Twistzz has been recognized as an MVP at ESL One New York 2018 and IEM Sydney 2019, solidifying his status as one of the game's most consistent performers across multiple top-tier organizations.

Quick Facts

Born: 14 November 1999
Nationality: Canadian
Team: FaZe Clan
Role: In-Game Leader
Game: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Counter-Strike 2

Lore & Background

Twistzz's path to professional success was shaped by personal challenges early in life. After his father moved away, he began gaming for longer periods, but progress stalled when he started living with his mother's boyfriend, who verbally abused him. His CS:GO development only resumed after his mother left the relationship in 2014, allowing her to support his play while monitoring his whereabouts. This resilience carried into his career; starting with Tectonic in October 2015 and moving through SapphireKelownaDotCom and AGG, he caught the eye of Team SoloMid. By 2017, he joined Team Liquid, where he helped secure the Americas Minor Championship for ELEAGUE Boston 2017. His ability to perform under pressure was evident when Liquid reached second place at ESL One New York 2018, where Twistzz earned his first MVP award.

Reader's Guide

Twistzz's role has evolved significantly throughout his career, shifting between star rifler and team leader. In the second half of 2024, following cadiaN's benching at Team Liquid, he assumed the in-game leader (IGL) position. This leadership transition continued into 2026; after karrigan left FaZe Clan on April 20, Twistzz took over as IGL for the team, leading them to a 3rd-4th place finish at BLAST Rivals 2026. His career also saw him return to Team Liquid in December 2023 before departing again in September 2025 to rejoin FaZe Clan ahead of ESL Pro League Season 22. Throughout these changes, his individual performance remained a constant asset; even during underperforming team runs in early 2026, he consistently ranked as the second-highest rated player on FaZe.

Did You Know?

Twistzz is the first player in history to win two Intel Grand Slams, achieving this milestone in March 2023.
He became only the second North American player to win both a Major championship and an Intel Grand Slam after his victory at PGL Major Antwerp 2022.
In 2025, he briefly returned to Team Liquid as their in-game leader before the team signed Siuhy to take over that role later that year.
During his time at the FACEIT London Major 2018, Twistzz achieved a Performance Rating 2.0 of 1.79 against Winstrike, his highest rating in that tournament.