Aproto from TSM missed the match due to health issues
The North American regional tournament VCT 2024 NA Stage 2 continued on June 1st, the third day of the opening week. In their first match of the day, the TSM roster was able to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory over their opponents, Blinn. It was a closely contested series, but TSM’s experience and teamwork ultimately allowed them to edge out the win. However, things took an unexpected turn for the team in their second match on the Breeze map. Just before the game was set to begin, it was announced that regular TSM starter aproto would be unable to play due to some undisclosed health issues. Instead, the team would have to substitute in their substitute player, sherb, to fill the vacancy in the lineup.
This last-minute roster change seemed to throw TSM off their rhythm, and they struggled to find their footing against the enemy squad. Without their usual starting five, the team appeared disjointed and failed to execute their typical strategies and coordination. Despite their best efforts, TSM ultimately dropped the match, losing 2-1 to their opponents. The reasons behind aproto’s absence were not made entirely clear, but it’s safe to assume the health concerns were significant enough to warrant him sitting out the game. It’s an unfortunate situation for both the player and the team, who now have to regroup and refocus ahead of their next series. Fans will be eager to see if aproto is able to return to the lineup in time for TSM’s future matches in the VCT 2024 NA Stage 2 tournament.
Aproto’s Health Scare and the Impact on TSM’s VCT 2024 NA Stage 2 Campaign
After the match, aproto took to social media to explain the situation and provide more details on his unexpected absence. He shared that he had to leave the game due to feeling unwell, but reassured fans that his condition has since improved. “Sorry for the concern, everyone. I’m okay now,” aproto wrote on Twitter. He revealed that he suffers from Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, a heart condition that can cause his heart rate to spike unexpectedly. “I have WPW syndrome, which can make my heart rate jump up really high sometimes. This is a rare occurrence for me – the last time was about two years ago,” he explained. Aproto went on to describe what happened during the ill-fated Breeze map. “During the first round, my heart rate spiked up to 240 beats per minute and wouldn’t come back down. I tried to keep playing, but it was really difficult with my heart racing like that. Luckily, the team managed, and sherb did a great job stepping in for me.” This type of mid-match player substitution is quite uncommon in the world of competitive esports, but it’s not entirely unprecedented. A similar situation occurred just over a week earlier at the VCJ 2024 Split 2 Main Stage1 tournament. In the match between RID and SG on May 28th, player JoxJo was forced to leave the game due to a computer issue. Starting in the 15th round, he was replaced by the team’s coach, Vorz. Despite the roster change, RID was still able to secure a convincing 13-5 victory. What makes the TSM case particularly unusual, however, is that they opted to bring in a free agent player, sherb, to fill in for aproto rather than using one of their own designated substitutes. This is an uncommon practice, as teams typically prefer to have their own pre-approved subs ready to step in if needed. Aproto’s unexpected health issue couldn’t have come at a worse time for TSM. The team was riding high after their 2-1 victory over Blinn in the first match of the day. But the loss of their starting player seemed to throw them off their rhythm in the second game against the same opponent.
Without aproto’s consistent performance and synergy with the rest of the squad, TSM struggled to execute their typical strategies and coordination. They appeared disjointed and failed to maintain the same level of play, ultimately dropping the match 2-1 to their opponents. It’s an unfortunate situation for both aproto and the TSM organization. The player’s health is understandably the top priority, but the team will now need to regroup and refocus ahead of their future matches in the VCT 2024 NA Stage 2 tournament. Fans will be eager to see if aproto is able to make a full recovery and return to the lineup in time for TSM’s upcoming games. WPW syndrome can be a tricky condition to manage, especially for high-intensity competitive gaming. But aproto seems confident that this was a rare flare-up, and that he’ll be back to 100% soon. In the meantime, TSM will have to continue their VCT 2024 NA Stage 2 campaign with sherb temporarily filling the void left by aproto’s absence. It remains to be seen how the team will adapt to the roster change and whether they can maintain their form without their regular starting player. One thing is certain – the sudden player substitution due to aproto’s health scare has added an extra layer of drama and intrigue to the ongoing VCT 2024 NA Stage 2 tournament. Esports fans will be closely monitoring the situation, hoping that aproto makes a full recovery and TSM can get back to their winning ways. These types of unexpected roster changes are always a challenge for any esports organization. But how TSM navigates this particular hurdle could have significant implications for the rest of their season. It’s a true test of the team’s depth, adaptability, and mental fortitude. Only time will tell how this storyline ultimately unfolds. But one thing is certain – aproto’s openness about his medical condition and the team’s willingness to be transparent has earned them a lot of goodwill and support from the passionate VCT community. Fans will be rooting for aproto’s speedy return and TSM’s continued success.
