zYKK Announces Switch to VALORANT from Overwatch

Thomas “zYKK” Hosono has announced his retirement from competitive Overwatch, a move that will see the Frenchman launch his VALORANT scene. The 19-year-old most recently competed for the ÄöÅ team, having started his professional journey with GamesOrigin back in 2016.

The former Overwatch Contenders regular is making the switch from one shooter to another, with a large number of well-known gamers having already joined the VALORANT scene. Having played as a hobby during his school years, Hosono competed in the inaugural Contenders season as a 16-year-old.

What zYKK Achieved During His Time in Overwatch

zYKK has certainly not been one of the standout players in Overwatch Contenders, the second tier of the scene, however he did manage to qualify for a host of tournaments while competing under the banner of Third Impact during the 2020 campaign. Speaking on his time with Third Impact, Hosono stated that: “I had a trial in Paris Academy, but GetAmazed convinced me to commit to join Third Impact. The best memory I have from playing Overwatch was with these guys. I’ll admit I had doubts at the beginning, but once we picked up the pace, it was only upwards from there.”

It was such performances that helped zYKK secure a move to the Toronto Defiant, where the Frenchman finally made his Overwatch League debut. Despite having been signed to the Defiant’s main roster, Hosono was heavily rotated by the team during the 2020 Overwatch League season.

Why the Frenchman Will Switch to VALORANT

Hosono helped Toronto in qualifying for the North American Playoffs, where the Defiant eventually finished in a tie for 9th place. However, the Defiant ultimately made the decision not to extend the contract of zYKK, leaving him on the lookout for new opportunities. It was at this point that Hosono joined ÄöÅ, representing the team in the Europe Gauntlet on a short-term basis.

Having now announced his retirement from Overwatch, zYKK is clearly looking to make a significant impact within the VALORANT scene. Speaking on his announcement, the Frenchman stated the following: “I’ll be now moving on and I will try to play VALORANT as a pro. I appreciate all the support the fans gave me and I hope you’ll still support me even if I move on to VALORANT. I made amazing friends, met amazing people throughout this adventure. Thank you again.”