Major Shift as Sh1ro Exits Cloud9’s Roster
A Blow After a Low
The Australian contest marked sh1ro’s poorest individual performance since the DreamHack Open Seville in 2019, a noticeable deviation from his typical late-round brilliance and steadiness that crowned him the third-most remarkable player of 2022.
A Journey of Triumphs and Trials
For over three years, sh1ro battled alongside Abay “HObbit” Khassenov and Sergey “Ax1Le” Rykhtorov through the ranks of Gambit Youngsters, Gambit, and Cloud9. The trio soared to prominence amid the 2021 pandemic, clinching victories in numerous online tournaments like IEM Katowice, EPIC League CIS, and BLAST Premier Spring Final. Although they weren’t invincible post-lockdown, their persistent strong showings in significant events like the PGL Major Stockholm and IEM Rio Major were admirable.
End of an Era, Onset of Uncertainty
In a heartfelt message on Telegram, sh1ro shared his bittersweet farewell, expressing his gratitude towards his teammates, especially Denis [electroNic], for the invaluable learnings. His exit leaves Cloud9 in a tough spot, especially after their recent uninspiring performances with their revamped Squad in ESL Pro League Season 18 and other tournaments.
What Lies Ahead?
With sh1ro now on the transfer list, Cloud9 retains four players and a coach, venturing into an uncertain future. Will this roster shuffle be the catalyst for a Cloud9 resurgence or a step towards obscurity? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, sh1ro’s next move is eagerly awaited by the esports community, marking an end of a significant chapter in Cloud9’s journey.
Cloud9’s Current Lineup:
- Russia: Sergey “Ax1Le” Rykhtorov
- Kazakhstan: Abay “HObbit” Khassenov
- Russia: Denis “electroNic” Sharipov
- Russia: Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy
- Coach: Russia: Konstantin “groove” Pikiner
Transfer-listed: Russia: Dmitry “sh1ro” Sokolov
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