Valorant pro fired over racist comments in ranked match

TenTen, a professional Valorant player for NORTHEPTION, has been released from his contract after making racist remarks during a ranked match. On Twitter, he has apologized for his comments.

In a statement issued by Kazuhiro Owa, the organization’s CEO, NORTHEPTION explained that it terminated TenTen’s contract over racist remarks he made on July 4 while playing a pug match with other Asian players.

The decision comes after a video of a heated argument between TenTen and Rex Regum Qeon’s Saibani ‘fl1pzjder’ Rahmad went viral on Twitter. After the pair exchanged a few words, TenTen is heard saying “f**k India” in an apparent insult to fl1pzjder, who is from Indonesia.

“The racist comments made this time are unacceptable under any circumstance, and we take the situation very seriously,” NORTHEPTION said.

“We sincerely apologize for any discomfort or concern this may have caused.”

A report for our Player pic.twitter.com/EH8dfjuH5A

— NORTHEPTION (@NORTHEPTION) July 5, 2023

Signed by NORTHEPTION in November 2022, TenTen was the team’s best-performing player in Valorant Challengers Japan, the country’s second-tier league. The Korean Duelist averaged a 1.24 rating in Split 1 and a 1.22 rating in Split 2, with the team finishing 5th-6th in both splits.

NORTHEPTION is a Japanese esports organization that has competed in Valorant since early 2021. Last year, their team attended VCT Stage 2 Masters Copenhagen, where it finished 9th-10th.

TenTen reacts to NORTHEPTION release

On Twitter, TenTen apologized to those who were offended by his comments, which he classified as “inappropriate.”

“As a professional player and as a person, I deeply regret that I made unforgivable remarks,” he wrote. “I also take the punishment from the team very seriously. I’m so sorry.”

私の不適切な発言によって、不快な思いをされた方々に心からお詫び申し上げます。プロの選手として、また人として許されない発言をしてしまったことを深く反省しています。また、チームからの処分を重く受け止めています。本当に申し訳ありませんでした。 https://t.co/DbqJ7HPyFp

— TenTen❄ (@tentenvlrt) July 5, 2023

The news comes at a time when racism has become a hot topic in Asian Valorant. Earlier this week, RNG player Ali ‘Swerl’ Kobraee claimed on Twitter that he was racially abused during the Valorant Champions China Qualifier. He later deleted the tweet because of an “ongoing investigation” into his allegations.