T1 has announced that their academy player Kang ‘DH’ Dong-ho will miss the remainder of VALORANT Challengers Korea Split 1 due to injuries sustained in a car accident.
The organization clarified that no one else was harmed in the incident and no further damages were incurred following the single-vehicle crash.
T1 Academy to miss experienced piece
In DH’s place, T1 has announced that Kim ‘TenTen’ Tae-young will play out the rest of the season. TenTen will be familiar with T1A’s playstyle, having featured on T1’s Academy from September 2024 to April 2025.
Still, DH will be missed in T1 Academy for the rest of Split 1 as T1A enters crunch time in VCK Split 1. The roster currently sits in the Lower Bracket final, set to face T1’s regional rivals in Gen.G’s Academy roster.
The winner will progress to the Best of 5 Grand Final of VCK Split 1, with the bulk of the prize money sitting in those top two positions. Third position awards ₩5,500,000 (approximately $3,700), with first place awarding ₩15,000,000 (approximately $10,000).
DH was the most experienced player on the roster, having played in the main team for six months last year before being replaced by Byeon ‘Munchkin’ Sang-beom in the main roster, and demoted back to T1 Academy.
Therefore, the flex player’s experience and versatility may be missed for the remainder of the season as he takes time to recover from injuries sustained in the accident.
T1 statement in full:
We regret to inform you that ‘DH’ of T1A will be unable to participate in the remaining matches of the 2026 VALORANT Challengers Korea Split 1 due to injuries sustained in a single-vehicle accident on Sunday, April 12.
Fortunately, there were no other parties involved or additional damages from the accident. However, following medical advice that ‘DH’ requires a thorough examination and sufficient rest, we have decided he will focus entirely on his treatment and recovery for the time being.
In accordance with VCK regulations, ‘TenTen’ will join the T1A roster as a replacement for ‘DH’ for the remainder of the season.
T1 is committed to providing full support for ‘DH’ throughout his recovery process to ensure he returns in good health as soon as possible.
We ask for your support and well wishes for ‘DH’s’ speedy recovery. We also ask for your warm encouragement for ‘TenTen’, who has stepped up to join the team on short notice.
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Darragh is an Esports Journalist for Insider Gaming specialising in Counter-Strike. He loves to explore how esports teams work, or why they very often do not.
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