Danish esports organization Sashi have completed the acquisition of New Zealand rifler Michael "chelleos" Hawkins from Rooster, replacing Frederik "acoR" Gyldstrand on their roster.
The move represents a continuation of Sashi's controversial regional realignment strategy. The organization previously brought in Tynan "TjP" Purtell and Jordan "Hatz" Bajic on short-term deals, sparking debate within the competitive scene. This maneuver prompted Valve to intervene and modify regulations to prevent teams from exploiting region-swapping tactics for VRS qualification purposes.
By adding another Oceanic player to their lineup, Sashi now possess an Asia VRS majority core, regardless of Anton "Anlelele" Huynh's classification status. This positioning allows them to compete for Major qualification through the Asian circuit.
Following Valve's rulebook amendments targeting sudden regional transfers, the developer informed HLTV that organizations pursuing region swaps before the Singapore Major face disqualification from that event unless they "reach out and find a solution." With this latest roster change establishing a fresh VRS core composition, Sashi may attempt to begin anew within Asia's competitive framework.
The 26-year-old arrives with substantial credentials, having represented Rooster for four years. During his tenure, chelleos maintained a 1.15 rating while competing predominantly in regional tournaments. His resume includes international exposure through multiple ESL Pro League seasons and ESL Challenger competitions throughout 2023 and 2024.
Sashi's current lineup features TjP, Hatz, chelleos, Rasmus "Zyphon" Nordfoss, and Anlelele, with Nicolai "HUNDEN" Petersen serving as coach.
