After navigating the US visa application process, Thunder Awaken has joined the list of teams who will compete at the final Major of the year with a stand-in player.

Thunder Awaken revealed that its mid lane player, Herrera “Darkmago” Gonzalo, will not be able to travel with the team due to visa concerns just one week before the Major is scheduled to begin in Texas on August 4th. The squad will forfeit its first day of group stage matches, according to the notification issued via its social media accounts. In the upcoming days, the replacement for Darkmago will be revealed.

In a tweet from Thunder Awaken’s official twitter page:

THUNDER I ARLINGTON MAJOR SOON!

@ThunderAwaken_

*tweet contains a photo*

Translation:

“Dear community,

It is with great sadness that we inform you that on Monday, July 25, Darkmago’s Visa to enter the United States was denied and he will not be able to compete in the group stage of the POL Arlington Major. We are currently processing a second interview at the embassy, hoping that the result will be favorable both there and in the Major, so that he can compete in some phase of the tournament.

In addition to the above, the Visas of Sacred, Vintage and Pakazs will take until August 4, the day on which we will only be able to travel, losing by forfeit the first day of the tournament (a group stage series).

It is a difficult situation for our team, as it is very hard to compete for months to qualify for an event that you cannot attend for reasons beyond your control.

Thanks for your support,

Thunder Awaken Esports ©

28 July 2022”

TA is one of just two South American teams participating in the Major, but thankfully for them, the Dota Pro Circuit points up for grabs in this event are no longer relevant. Thunder Awaken currently holds the top slot in the overall DPC rankings with 1540 points, which automatically secures them a seat at The International 11. They won all three DPC Tours regional leagues this year and finished in the top six at the last Major.

Thunder Awaken will begin the PGL Arlington Major from Group A, where three teams will be eliminated, as opposed to Group B, where only two teams will finish their Major run after Xtreme Gaming forfeited their berth due to visa complications as well.

Along with Thunder AwakenA, Fnatic will compete in the same Group A with three stand-in players who have not yet been revealed, Royal Never Give Up will likewise employ a stand-in for the carry position, and Talon Esports will substitute T1 for position 4 support.