From Da Nang’s flavours to Beijing’s big stage, Taki and Team Secret Whales bring heart, humour, and a healthy dose of confidence at Worlds this year.
The youngest roster at the League of Legends (LoL) World Championship 2025 have arrived in Beijing with a fiery spirit–the same drive that carried them through the LoL Championship Pacific (LCP) Finals. 
Team Secret Whales may have fallen short of the Pacific title, finishing second behind CTBC Flying Oyster, but now at Worlds, their hunger, in more ways than one, has only grown stronger.
Before Worlds kicked off, 
Anh Tài “taki” Đinh, support and captain of Team Secret Whales, spoke with GosuGamers about his excitement to return to the global stage, his love for food, the team's growth, and how the LCP has changed the way the world sees the region and Vietnam’s competitive scene.
Now, after their first victory over Latin America’s Vivo Keyd Stars in the Swiss Stage, Taki’s words about confidence, growth, and regional pride carry even more weight.
Back at Worlds after three years
Taki is back at Worlds after three years, and his excitement was evident at the beginning of the interview. “I really appreciate standing here at Worlds again, competing against all the best teams in the world,” Taki said. He and his teammates are “very excited, happy, and very proud of being the only Vietnam team on the Worlds stage.”
For Taki, returning to Worlds means more than just competing. It is also a sign of how far Vietnam and the LCP have come since the new league kicked off this year.
“The PCS and the VCS are now within the LCP,” he explained. “And I think the LCP as a whole has improved a lot, and that’s one of the reasons why the LCP is being viewed [by the world] differently now.”
He continued, “When the LCP region was merged, both the Vietnam teams and the LCP teams in general improved a lot in terms of skill set and mentality. We believe we can now compete as one of the most competitive regions. For Vietnam specifically, our mentality has also reached a new level, so stay tuned and support the LCP teams.”
That confidence showed during their regional run. Team Secret Whales managed to take down some of the most experienced teams in the LCP, including Vietnam’s GAM Esports and PSG Talon. “I’m really happy about that, it gives us confidence,” Taki said. “It’s been a long process for us to reach Worlds, with a lot of hard work throughout the year. But we’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far, and there’s still more ahead.”
And more ahead there was indeed. Team Secret Whales claimed their first Worlds victory with a win over Vivo Keyd Stars in the Swiss Stage, a result that echoed the success of LCP champions CTBC Flying Oyster, who also opened their campaign with a win against Fnatic. Together, their performances continue to reinforce the growing strength and reputation of the LCP on the global stage.
A taste of the world: Taki’s love for food and life beyond the rift
Taki’s journey to Worlds 2025 has also been one of flavour. When the LCP Finals took place in Da Nang, he shared a list of must-try dishes and hidden gems from his hometown on X for fans flying in.
Now in Beijing, that same enthusiasm hasn’t changed. His eyes light up when he talks about local food and the joy of exploring new tastes between matches.
“We’ve been in Beijing for a few days,” he said with a smile. “I think Beijing is a beautiful city. The air here is also fresh. We have tried Peking duck, of course, and it’s my first time trying king crab as well. The food overall is very good.”
That genuine, unfiltered excitement reflects the same warmth he brings to his teammates, players from other regions, and the fans, and it’s part of why he remains so well-loved back home. In fact, Taki’s dancing has been making rounds on social media, reshared by players across regions at Worlds; the Team Secret Whales support is always quick to reply with a playful pun of his own.
Inside Team Secret Whales: growth, chemistry, and confidence
Behind the playful energy fans see on stage, Team Secret Whales have built a tight-knit dynamic that extends far beyond the Rift. “We’re one of the teams that very often share our behind-the-scenes footage,” Taki said. “Especially on our vlog. We want fans to know what really happens behind the scenes, and we hope that during Worlds we can show you guys some funny moments too.”
That openness, sharing both their joys and struggles, has helped shape the team’s identity as one of the youngest and most expressive squads at Worlds 2025. According to Taki, their head coach plays a key role in keeping spirits high. “Whenever we face challenges, our head coach is the one who always encourages the team and talks to us to make the boys feel better,” he shared.
But behind the humour and light-hearted energy lies a serious side. The players have spent the year refining not just their mechanics, but their mentality: something Taki believes reflects a wider shift within their region. As Taki put it, their preparation and self-belief have brought them this far.
“Personally, and for my team, we’ve worked very hard this year,” he said. “Coming to the World Stage, we have the confidence to win against any team we face.”
When asked what message he wanted to share with supporters, Taki didn’t hesitate. “I want to send my deepest appreciation to all the fans of Team Secret Whales and the LCP fans who’ve been watching us throughout this journey,” he said. “You can be confident that we’re going to do well at Worlds and we’re hoping going to go far.”
The road ahead is still long. Team Secret Whales will need two more wins to qualify for the Playoffs, with their next match against KT Rolster on 16 October (2:00 PM SGT).
But if their start is any indication, this young Vietnamese squad have already proven that the LCP’s rise isn’t a story of potential anymore: it’s a story of arrival.
