Talon Re-enters Counter-Strike with New CS2 Team: A Promising Future for APAC Esports

The Hong Kong-based esports organization, Talon, has officially re-entered the Counter-Strike scene with a new CS2 team. This exciting development is led by none other than Aaron "⁠AZR⁠" Ward, a veteran in-game leader known for his time with Renegades and 100 Thieves.

AZR, who hasn't played an official match in over a year and a half, is back and ready to make an impact. He is joined by Daniel "⁠djL⁠" Narancic, a former Ninjas in Pyjamas coach, and a talented roster comprising primarily of Oceanic players, with a notable addition from Europe.

The New Roster

The team is a mix of experienced and upcoming talent:

• Aaron "⁠AZR⁠" Ward (Australia) – Captain
• Corey "⁠nettik⁠" Browne (New Zealand)
• Jared "⁠hazr⁠" O'Bree (Australia)
• Christian "⁠ADDICT⁠" Pendleton (New Zealand)
• Miłosz "⁠mhL⁠" Knasiak (Poland)
• Daniel "⁠djL⁠" Narancic (Sweden, Coach)

This combination brings together seasoned professionals and young, eager players ready to prove themselves on the global stage.

Strategic Base in Europe

One of the key strategies for Talon’s new CS2 team is their decision to operate out of a new European facility. This move is aimed at ensuring the team can train against top-tier competition consistently. As Talon’s CEO, Sean Zhang, stated in the announcement video, "Iron sharpens iron." By being based in Europe, the team will have access to high-quality practice partners, a crucial factor in their development and success.

"We've been inspired by teams like MongolZ, and we really feel like the footprint that Talon has can provide a unique opportunity for Asian CS"

Short-Term and Long-Term Goals

In the short term, Talon aims to get the team to gel and compete in as many tournaments as possible. Their debut will be at the HellCase Cup 10, where they will face TSM in the opening game. Sean Zhang highlighted the importance of building chemistry and defining their playstyle as they prepare for the Shanghai Major at the end of the year.

"For the long term, we want to develop Asian-Pacific-based CS," Zhang emphasized. "We've been inspired by teams like MongolZ, and we really feel like the footprint that Talon has can provide a unique opportunity for Asian CS to be given the right opportunities to become the best in the world."

Supporting Grassroots Development

Talon is not only focused on achieving immediate success but also on contributing to the growth of the esports ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific region. The organization plans to invest in grassroots development, creating more opportunities for young players to enter the competitive scene. This includes organizing community tournaments and establishing academies to nurture future talent.

"We are looking to see how we can develop further pathways for oceanic talent to be pushing to Asia and globally," Zhang shared. "We want to be able to support games like Valorant, Counter-Strike, Dota, and League. If there are pathways and academies that we can build to push Australian talent to the global stage, this is something we're committed to."

Conclusion

Talon’s re-entry into Counter-Strike with their new CS2 team marks an exciting chapter for the organization and the APAC esports community. With a strong roster, strategic training facilities, and a commitment to both short-term success and long-term development, Talon is poised to make a significant impact on the global CS2 scene.

Stay tuned as Talon’s new CS2 team embarks on this thrilling journey. Their blend of experience, talent, and strategic planning promises to bring exciting moments and significant achievements in the competitive Counter-Strike world.