TenZ Announces His Retirement From Pro Valorant

One of the most recognizable characters in the game, Tyson “TenZ” Ngo, has shocked the Valorant community by announcing his retirement from competitive play. On September 15, 2024, the heartbreaking news was revealed to followers by the 23-year-old Canadian superstar, who has been a dominant force in Valorant since its establishment in 2020, through a passionate video message.

“I’m just glad to leave my mark in Valorant history”

TenZ, who has represented the Sentinels group as its face for the last three years, disclosed that he decided to leave competitive Valorant earlier this year after giving it some thought. The expert duelist clarified that although becoming a professional player has been an amazing experience, the responsibilities of the position have kept him from pursuing his passion for content production to the fullest extent.

He said “I’m glad we were able to win in some capacity this year, for my closure year, I’m just glad to leave my mark in Valorant history and to be remembered for that.”

TenZ, a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player, started his career in 2017 and moved to Valorant in 2020. He soon established himself as a top player and fan favorite. TenZ earned two international titles during his four-year Valorant career, including the VCT Stage 2 Masters Reykjavik in 2021, where the Sentinels defeated Fnatic 3-0 in Riot Games’ first international Valorant LAN competition.

TenZ’s second significant success occurred in 2024 at VCT Masters Madrid, where he guided a revised Sentinels lineup to victory. TenZ’s legacy as one of the greatest Valorous players of all time was cemented when the team defeated Gen.G Esports 3-2 in the grand final.

After his win he stated “I’m definitely really glad that we were able to win in some capacity for this year and for my closure year. It was a very nice memory,” 

New opportunities for the talented player

TenZ has not only dominated the professional scene during his career, but he has also grown to become an inspiration for young players. He’s taken great satisfaction in his ability to motivate the next generation, just like Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek did for him back in the days of Counter-Strike.

“I want to give a big thank you to all my teammates that I’ve had throughout my time with Sentinels, it’s been amazing and there have been a lot of high points, a lot of low points,” he said.

Although TenZ’s decision to stop competing professionally signals the end of an era, it also presents fresh chances for the gifted athlete. He was excited to be concentrating on content development and pursuing goals outside of esports in his announcement video.

TenZ said “I definitely poured my heart into this year and tried to be the best that I could, even switching roles to a role that I’ve never played in my life. I just wanted to be the best teammate that I could be and be the best player that I could be,”

With over 4.1 million followers on Twitch and 2.27 million subscribers on YouTube, TenZ’s influence is undeniable. Players and fans have expressed gratitude and support for the legendary player, ensuring his legacy will continue to inspire generations of players in the Valorant community.

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