Gaimin Gladiators will be able to fight with their full might at TI12 as their support Erik “tOfu” Engel’s visa application has been accepted
Gaimin Gladiators, the Dota 2 giants, have successfully overcome a significant challenge while ramping up their preparations for The International 12. The latest announcement from Gaimin Gladiators on X/Twitter celebrates the positive resolution of the U.S. visa situation for Erik “tOfu” Engel, their talented German support player. With this hurdle behind them, the team is now fully equipped to compete at TI12.
THE BIGGEST BOSS HAS BEEN BEATEN:
Tofu’s Visa is approved!After several months of hard work, we have made @tOfuDota2 Visa possible. We want to give a shoutout to the loyals @Michael_Wildes & @J_Wildes. Without them, we would have been searching for a stand-in, lmao.
Our staff… pic.twitter.com/YwDWxrzVat
— GG | Gaimin Gladiators ⚔️ (@GaiminGladiator) August 30, 2023
“We want to give a shoutout to the lawyers Michael Wildes and Josh Wildes,” Gaimin Gladiators wrote. “Without them, we would have been searching for a stand-in.”
Why Was tOfu Having Visa Problems?
The news finally dispels weeks of speculation regarding the team’s roster for TI12. In June, tOfu candidly discussed the challenging visa acquisition process for his U.S. entry, owing to a prior “conflict” in his history.
While tOfu remained tight-lipped about the incident’s specifics, teammate Anton ‘dyrachyo’ Shkredov provided further clarity. Shkredov revealed that tOfu had been “banned” from the visa waiver program due to his declaration during a prior U.S. trip, where he stated work purposes despite holding a tourist visa.
Gaimin Gladiators Eye TI12 Glory
Credit: Gaimin Gladiators
Gaimin Gladiators gain a substantial advantage from the update about tOfu’s participation, serving as a considerable boost in their quest for their first TI title. In the previous year’s contest, the team wrapped up their performance within the 9th-12th bracket.
Gaimin Gladiators have dominated the Dota 2 scene in 2023, holding the top spot. Their remarkable achievements include making history with victories at the Majors in Lima, Berlin, and Bali, marking them as the pioneer team to conquer all Majors within a single season.
Melchior “Seleri” Hillenkamp and company, however, failed to extend their title-winning form to the recently concluded Riyadh Masters 2023. They made a commendable fourth place finish and took home $1.2 million. They will, however, set their sights on another silverware at TI12.
