COMPETITIVE GAMING has long been a male-dominated space, and Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM) is no exception. While female gamers have been making strides in different esports titles, seeing a woman compete at the highest level remains a rare sight.
For Angel “Aurora” Aquino to be able to play in the Garena Masters 8, the biggest CODM tournament in the Malaysia-Singapore-Philippines (MYSGPH) circuit, and let alone make it to the top 4 – it is nothing short of groundbreaking.
Aurora being the only female pro player in a top-tier male-dominated tournament is a powerful statement – one that proves skill knows no gender.
At a time when dedicated female CODM tournaments are scarce, Aurora is defying the norms by not only competing with the best but earning her place among them as a starting player for ANM Thanatos, one of the top four teams in Garena Masters 8.
Her journey in this iteration of the Garena Masters has been game-changing, proving that female players belong on the biggest stages in esports.
Aurora’s introduction to CODM wasn’t conventional – she started out as a complete beginner after being challenged to a 1v1 match on a live stream on Facebook. Instead of backing down after losing, she turned the experience into motivation.
“I had zero clue how to even play the game at the time. Took the L and felt underestimated—I could’ve backed down...but I don’t do that," she started. "What began as a challenge turned into a passion, and that passion led me straight to the pro scene. The rest is history.”
That same passion carried her through the ranks, from being the captain of girls’ teams to eventually becoming the only female competitor in the Garena Masters.
Competing against the best
For Aurora, being the lone female player in a high-stakes tournament is both surreal and empowering.
“It’s honestly surreal and incredibly empowering. Being the only female player in two consecutive Garena Masters means so much to me because I feel like this achievement of mine—it’s proof that women belong in esports, not as exceptions, but as competitors. Girls, if I can do it, so can you.”
Despite the growing interest in female esports, CODM has yet to see a dedicated platform for women at the pro level. Aurora’s presence in Garena Masters is a testament to what’s possible when female players challenge the norm.
Shattering mindsets and pushing limits
Unlike many female players who primarily compete in all-womens teams, Aurora made a bold move – she joined a male-dominated squad. Her decision stemmed from a desire to push herself beyond what she felt were limiting expectations in the women’s scene.
“When I was in a girls’ team, over time, I started to feel unchallenged. I felt bored by the common mindset among many female players in the CODM scene, which has always been girls vs. girls. I mean, why don’t we fight against these men? Because I BELIEVED I could, and they believed they couldn’t. That’s when I realized my mindset was different, and that’s what set me apart. I wanted to be the living proof that WOMEN CAN.”
Her belief in her own ability is what drove her to compete at the highest level, despite the added pressure of being the only woman in the tournament.
Playing in a game where men dominate the competition meant Aurora had to constantly prove herself. But instead of seeing this as a disadvantage, she used it as fuel.
“The biggest challenge was feeling like I had to constantly prove myself. This is a game dominated by men, so I knew there would always be doubters. I use that as motivation, embrace all the pressure out there, and constantly remind myself that I earned my spot – and I’m not here by accident.”
Her determination paid off when she earned a starting spot in ANM Thanatos, a team built by kLö from Elevate. “kLö wanted to build a strong, competitive team that he could personally coach. He saw potential in me and offered me a spot. Of course, I didn’t hesitate, because I KNEW what I could offer. I knew exactly what I could bring to the table—my skills. I told myself, I’m a girl, and so what? I can carry men.”
What’s Next for Aurora?
Aurora isn’t stopping here. With her sights set on taking down reigning champions Elevate, she continues to train and improve.
“I plan to keep grinding and improving my skills. This isn’t the end because I want to crush the reigning champion down, Elevate.”
Beyond her own journey, she hopes to see more opportunities for women in CODM. “I do hope to see more dedicated CODM tournaments for women in the future to open up more opportunities so that women can think that they belong in esports.”
Aurora’s presence in Garena Masters 8 is more than just an individual achievement – it’s a statement. She’s proving that women not only belong in esports but can also compete at the highest levels. Her journey is inspiring a new generation of female players to break barriers and chase their own dreams in competitive gaming.
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