Team Vitality Team Vitality Europe Rank #9 trexx Nikita Cherednichenko Derke Nikita Sirmitev Kicks Kimmie Laasner Sayf Saif Jibraeel Less Felipe de Loyola Basso have agreed with Riot Games to pull out of the VCT EMEA LCQ, the organization has announced, out of respect for Karel "Twisten" Ašenbrener's passing.

Vitality were one of the seven teams poised to fight in the Last Chance Qualifier for a spot — or two, in case FNATIC FNATIC Europe Rank #3 Sayonara Ștefan Mîtcu stand-in Boaster Jake Howlett kaajak Kajetan Haremski Chronicle Timofey Khromov Alfajer Emir Ali Beder win Masters Tokyo — at Champions 2023. The roster finished the regular season in sixth, but a short playoffs run upended their chances to reach Japan and relegated them to the LCQ.

Vitality were eliminated from the VCT EMEA playoffs on May 25. Nearly two weeks later, the organization announced Twisten had passed away. Today, two weeks after Twisten's passing, Vitality revealed they have taken the decision to withdraw from the VCT EMEA LCQ. The team stated that Twisten's teammates, staff, and club are still grieving the Czech player and "can't imagine anyone else playing in these last competitions of the season."

Twisten on the VCT EMEA stage Rest in peace, Karel. (Photo by Hara Amorós/Riot Games/LVP)

Twisten's death rallied the Valorant community in support of mental health causes, after Vitality and Twisten's own mother mentioned mental health struggles. The player had previously revealed he had fought with depression during and prior to LOCK//IN.

The North American VCL held a Shorty-only pistol round in the grand final in respect to Twisten. Many important figures in the community — and even organizations — have stepped up in a pledge to donate money for every Shorty kill at Masters Tokyo and Champions, following in Twisten's own footsteps. There have been 53 Shorty kills at Tokyo heading into the final weekend of competition.

The fundraiser set up has currently pledged over $2700 USD, with all money going to Rise Above the Disorder. RAD is a charity that works to make mental health care accessible to everyone, everywhere. The fundraiser can be found here.