Kaka

Hu “Kaka” Liangzhi is a Chinese professional Dota 2 support player born on November 7, 1992. A position-four specialist and former captain and drafter, Kaka currently represents Yakult Brothers, joining the roster in June 2026.

Kaka’s career highlights include finishing runner-up at The International 2017 with Newbee, winning ESL One Genting 2018 and capturing the ONE Esports Singapore Major 2021 with Invictus Gaming. He later helped iG finish fourth at The International 2021, making him one of the most accomplished Chinese support players of his generation.

Early Career

Before becoming a professional, Kaka was already a well-known Chinese pub star who occasionally reached the top of the regional leaderboard. He joined HyperGloryTeam around its formation in 2014 and quickly won WVW National Electronic Sports Classic Season 1. The team later finished seventh–eighth at the Dota 2 Asia Championships 2015, where it eliminated Natus Vincere before losing to Cloud9.

Kaka moved to EHOME in 2015, finishing fourth at the Frankfurt Major and winning MDL Winter 2015. He joined Newbee during the 2016 Chinese reshuffle and initially served as captain and drafter. That version of Newbee produced a remarkable 29–0 winning run and placed third at the Manila Major; after further changes, Kaka remained on the roster that reached the grand final of TI7.

His next major resurgence came with Invictus Gaming. At the Singapore Major 2021, iG recovered from a 0–2 deficit against Evil Geniuses to win the final 3–2. Contemporary coverage described Kaka as the team’s “mastermind,” while Kaka credited the comeback to the roster’s unity.

Kaka is an archetypal playmaking position four: proactive, willing to initiate and comfortable operating with limited farm. His signature pool includes Nyx Assassin, Lion, Shadow Shaman, Phoenix, Sand King and Rubick—heroes suited to scouting, controlling opponents and beginning fights for their cores.

His longevity is reflected in his hero records. Kaka held the all-time premium/professional appearance records for Lion, Phoenix, Nyx Assassin and Sand King. His career also demonstrates leadership value beyond mechanics: he has served as a captain and drafter and has successfully integrated into several distinctly different Chinese lineups.

Fun Facts

Kaka became the first Chinese player to reach 9,000 MMR, achieving the milestone on August 30, 2016.

He received the group-stage MVP award at i-League 2021 Season 2.

During the Singapore Major final, Kaka played Phoenix in both the opening game and the decisive fifth map of iG’s reverse sweep against Evil Geniuses.