T1 xeta announces Valorant retirement
Earlier today, South Korean professional Valorant player Son "xeta" Seon-ho came to social media to let the esports community know about his retirement from competitive play and parting ways with T1.
A prominent figure in the Asian Valorant scene, xeta's departure is welcomed with both surprise and comprehension, as veteran players face the same dilemma when deciding between continuing their careers or stepping back.
Career highlights and transition to Valorant
Having embarked on his professional gaming journey in 2016, xeta initially gained recognition in the Counter-Strike scene, notably with MVP PK and TYLOO. His transition to Valorant occurred in late 2020 when he joined Cloud9's Korean division, later joining the NA core in Cloud9 Blue.
Cloud9 Blue achieved success in their first year, securing a victory in the 2021 VCT NA Last Chance Qualifier and reaching the quarter-finals at VALORANT Champions Berlin.
xeta with Cloud9 at Valorant Champions Berlin 2021 (credits: Riot Games)With Xeta, C9B were amongst the best NA teams, unfortunately xeta and autumn decided to leave for T1 mid-2022.
When VCT 2023 rolled around, xeta alongwith Autumn were part of T1's partnered VCT Pacific team. The korean T1 finished top 3 in VCT Pacific Playoffs. However, struggled on the international stage, failing to qualify for the International stage playoffs.
The challenge for esports veterans
His retirement sheds light on the broader challenge faced by esports veterans – the delicate balance between maintaining peak performance and safeguarding their mental and physical well-being. As the esports industry continues to grow, addressing these challenges becomes crucial in ensuring the longevity and well-being of professional players.
Reasons for retirement
Xeta's retirement announcement cited concerns about his mental and physical health, highlighting the toll that professional gaming can take on players. Despite the support from organizations and sports psychologists, accumulated stress and decreased energy prompted xeta to prioritize self-care and step back from the competitive scene.
But recently i also realised my mental and body health is not like before when i started even though with the help of org i could get to talk sports psychologist for help - Xeta
Military service and future plans
Adding another layer to his decision, xeta revealed his upcoming mandatory Korean military service, a requirement for males before the age of 28. Balancing this obligation with a competitive gaming career undoubtedly influenced his choice to retire. However, xeta expressed hope for a future return, emphasizing a desire to come back with a refreshed mindset, energy, and passion.
Hoping that i can comeback with refreshed mindset and energy and passion. when i think i'm ready i'm willing to comeback - xeta
T1's Adjustments and Future Prospects
With xeta's departure, T1 will play without a sub. They already had plans to play with Carpe as the IGL, likely as they knew about xeta's decision. The current lineup includes Ha "Sayaplayer" Jung-woo, Lee "Carpe" Jae-hyeok, Ham "iZu" Woo-joo, Kevin "xccurate" Susanto, and Daniel "Rossy" Abedrabbo, under the guidance of head coach Yoon "Autumn" Eu-teum and coaches Dakota "Stunner" MacLeod and Lee "CheongGak" Il-ho.
Xeta's departure from competitive Valorant marks the end of an era in his illustrious gaming career. His decision highlights the multifaceted challenges experienced by veteran players, emphasizing the importance of mental and physical health in the competitive gaming landscape. As the esports community reflects on xeta's legacy, the industry must continue evolving to support players throughout their careers and beyond.
Feature image credits: T1 Twitter
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