Sashi have announced the signing of Michael "chelleos" Hawkins, bringing the Kiwi in from Rooster to replace Frederik "acoR" Gyldstrand.
The news comes in the wake of the region-swapping drama that ensued after Sashi brought in Tynan "TjP" Purtell and Jordan "Hatz" Bajic on short-term contracts, which resulted in Valve stepping in to change the rules to prevent such tactics being used to switch VRS regions on short notice.
With their latest signing Sashi appear to be doubling down on their pivot towards a roster that would qualify for Majors via the Asia VRS, bringing in another Oceanic player to bring their core to an Asia VRS majority, regardless of the status of Anton "Anlelele" Huynh.
After the rulebook change designed to prevent short-term region swapping, Valve stated to HLTV that the teams that went for region swaps ahead of the Singapore Major are disqualified from the Major run, unless "they reach out and find a solution." With the addition of another player and thus sporting a new VRS core, Sashi can try to start from scratch in the Asia VRS.
chelleos arrives having spent the last four years turning out for Rooster, averaging a 1.15 rating whilst playing largely in regional competitions. The 26-year-old has some international experience, having played a number of ESL Pro League seasons and ESL Challenger events across 2023 and 2024.
Sashi are now:
Tynan "TjP" Purtell
Jordan "Hatz" Bajic
Michael "chelleos" Hawkins
Rasmus "Zyphon" Nordfoss
Anton "Anlelele" Huynh
Nicolai "HUNDEN" Petersen (coach)
Anton 'Anlelele' HuynhPast 3 months
Sashi
Jordan 'Hatz' Bajic
Rasmus 'Zyphon' Nordfoss
Anton 'Anlelele' Huynh
Tynan 'TjP' Purtell
Michael 'chelleos' Hawkins
Nicolai 'HUNDEN' Petersen
Nicolai 'HUNDEN' Petersen
Rasmus 'Zyphon' NordfossPast 3 months
Jordan 'Hatz' BajicPast 3 months
Frederik 'acoR' GyldstrandPast 3 months
Rooster
Michael 'chelleos' Hawkins
Jordan 'SkulL' Newland
Akram 'ADK' Smida
Daniel 'rekonz' Mort
Damon 'damyo' Portelli
Damian 'JD' Simonovic
Michael 'chelleos' HawkinsPast 3 months
Sashi
Frederik 'acoR' Gyldstrand
Jordan 'Hatz' Bajic
Rasmus 'Zyphon' Nordfoss
Anton 'Anlelele' Huynh
Tynan 'TjP' Purtell
Nicolai 'HUNDEN' Petersen
Tynan 'TjP' PurtellPast 3 months