TenZ Retires from Competitive Valorant
Introduction
Tyson “TenZ” Ngo, one of the most recognized names in the world of VALORANT, has officially announced his retirement from competitive gaming. After three years with Sentinels, he is shifting his focus to full-time content creation.
TenZ’s Announcement
On September 14, 2024, TenZ took to social media to share his decision. He revealed that he had been considering this move since the beginning of the year. TenZ didn’t want to end his competitive career on a low note as in 2023, so he dedicated himself fully to making 2024 a successful year.
“With just how much success my content creation has, it definitely was a no-brainer decision in regards to how much effort, how much work, and how much of your life gets taken up by being a competitive pro player,” TenZ explained in his announcement video. “I definitely poured my heart and soul into this year, and tried to be the best that I could.”
Career Achievements
Throughout his career, TenZ has been one of the most prominent figures in VALORANT. Known for his exceptional aim and dueling skills, he has been instrumental in multiple tournament victories. His achievements include:
- Winning VALORANT Masters Reykjavík 2021
- The 2023 AfreecaTV VALORANT League
- The 2024 VALORANT Masters Madrid
Role Switch and Success
Initially, TenZ played as a duelist for Sentinels but struggled to find consistent success in this role. To better support his team, he switched to the controller role, which significantly boosted Sentinels’ performance. This role change was pivotal in their success in 2024, highlighted by their victory at the VALORANT Masters Madrid.
“Switching roles to a role that I’ve never really played in my life, I just wanted to be the best teammate that I could be, and also bring the best player that I could be,” TenZ continued. “I’m just really glad that I was able to leave my mark within VALORANT history and be remembered for that.”
Future of Sentinels
With TenZ retiring, Sentinels face a challenging 2025. Alongside TenZ’s departure, the team is reportedly not re-signing Sacy. This leaves the team needing to rebuild around remaining players like:
- Zachary “zekken” Patrone
- Jordan “Zellsis” Montemurro
- Amine “johnqt” Ouarid
Conclusion
TenZ’s retirement marks the end of an era for Sentinels and VALORANT. His switch to content creation opens a new chapter in his career, allowing him to continue influencing the gaming community in a different capacity. As Sentinels look to the future, they will need to strategize and adapt to fill the void left by one of the game’s most iconic players.
