EDward Gaming parts ways with S1Mon after months on the bench

Earlier today, EDward Gaming confirmed the departure of Hsieh "S1Mon" Meng-hsun in a video post on their X account titled “THANK YOU S1Mon!” This decision puts a definitive end to the months-long speculation around S1Mon’s future, following a period where the VCT 2024 - Champions 2024 winner had been benched for four months.

S1Mon’s Meteoric Rise With EDG

S1Mon joined the already formidable EDG roster just before the start of VCT 2024 - China Stage 2. The addition of S1Mon injected fresh energy into the team, aligning perfectly with the existing core of Zheng "ZmjjKK" Yongkang, Wang "nobody" Senxu, Wan "CHICHOO" Shunzhi, and Zhang "Smoggy" Zhao. Together, the lineup embarked on an unprecedented run at Champions 2024, dropping only a single match and ultimately securing the trophy. Their championship run solidified EDG’s status as a dominant force in the VALORANT scene.

The momentum continued into the 2025 season, with EDG clinching the VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - China Kickoff title and securing their place at VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Bangkok 2025. Though they fell short of their own high expectations in Bangkok by finishing 3rd, the season was still a testament to their consistency among the world’s elite.

Controversy and Benching

Problems surfaced in April, when S1Mon was abruptly moved to the bench. According to reports, the organization had been struggling with internal issues involving S1Mon. His spot in the active roster was given to Zhang "Jieni7" Juntai for VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - China Stage 1. This move drew swift attention and speculation from fans and analysts about the underlying causes.

EDG management, communicating through livestreams, openly criticized S1Mon, accusing him of laziness, lack of communication, and a reluctance to learn or adapt. They claimed he had not shown sufficient professional commitment since joining the team.

His teammates corroborated this narrative in a series of posts. They painted a picture of a player who was silent during team practice yet notably vocal on personal livestreams, giving misleading impressions to the fanbase.

They cited instances where S1Mon emotionally withdrew during matches, notably expressing defeatism by saying, “I can’t shoot” and disengaging from play. Other grievances included skipping team reviews, ignoring coaches, playing on his phone during practice, and failing to initiate bonding or extra practice.

According to his teammates, he even distanced himself from the team after being benched, questioning if he “still needed to show up.”

Additionally, the players criticized S1Mon for staying silent when online drama began to swirl, allowing misinformation and fan outrage to target the team without him intervening to clarify or defend them.

S1Mon’s Defense

In response, S1Mon denied all accusations leveled at him. He stated he had been working hard and felt misunderstood by both management and teammates, insisting that his commitment to improving had never wavered.

Though his stint with EDG ended on a sour note, S1Mon’s individual achievements and international experience ensure he remains a top prospect in the professional circuit. While his next move is unknown, his championship pedigree will no doubt attract interest from teams looking to fortify their roster.

EDG, meanwhile, will move forward with their rebuilt lineup, aiming to reclaim their place at the top of the competitive VALORANT world, but this time without one of the stars that helped define their modern era.

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Featured Image Source: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games