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Strafe Esports' Team of the Tournament: VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026
20 Oct, 2026, 13:42
|Last updated: 20 Oct, 2026, 13:42
VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026 delivered an incredible showcase of tactical brilliance, world-class aim, and unforgettable clutch plays. As 16 elite international VALORANT teams battled for the ultimate trophy, LOUD ultimately triumphed with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Team Vitality in the Grand Final at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
To commemorate the defining individual performances of the world championship, Strafe Esports selected its official Team of the Tournament. This five-man lineup features the players we believed delivered standout performances and defined the Shanghai meta.
Note: While the rest of the stats used in the article are publicly available, the rating stat has been taken from THESPIKE.GG.
erde (LOUD)
Roberto "erde" Lobos authored one of the most compelling storylines in VALORANT history. At just 18 years and 8 months old, LOUD's Chilean in-game leader became the youngest MVP in VALORANT Champions history, surpassing aspas' previous record.
Leading the youngest squad at the tournament despite personal tragedy—the passing of his mother right before LOUD's opening match—erde displayed immense personal resilience.
Splitting time between Omen and Sage across 18 maps, he posted a 1.18 Rating, 224.2 ACS, 1.28 K/D, and 310 total kills. In the Grand Final victory over Team Vitality, erde delivered 66 kills, 31 assists, and 222 ACS, crowning LOUD's championship run.
Jamppi (Team Vitality)
Team Vitality's Grand Final run was fueled by the steady hand, tactical leadership, and icy composure of Elias "Jamppi" Olkkonen.
Serving as Team Vitality's IGL while operating primarily across Duelist and Flex roles, Jamppi masterminded Vitality's strategic play and served as their primary engine during intense playoff series.
Across 21 maps and 466 rounds in Shanghai, jamppi recorded a 0.98 Rating, 198.1 ACS, and a 1.05 K/D ratio while maintaining a solid 71.0% KAST.
Where Jamppi truly distinguished himself was in pressure-packed post-plant and retake scenarios. He finished among the top performers by clutch percentage during the playoffs, converting 9 out of 46 1vX clutch opportunities (20% clutch rate).
Cryocells (100 Thieves)
Matthew "Cryocells" Panganiban established himself as the absolute benchmark for Sentinel play in Shanghai. Serving both as 100 Thieves' defensive anchor and opening aggressor, cryocells put up consistently dominant individual numbers across groups and playoffs.
In 18 maps (376 rounds), cryocells posted a stellar 1.15 Rating and a 1.39 K/D ratio—the second-highest K/D of the entire tournament—alongside 225.0 ACS and a 73.7% KAST.
In addition to securing 46 First Bloods, Cryocells was a reliable late-round closer, winning 7 out of 44 clutch situations (16%). His impact anchored 100 Thieves' deep run, earning him a well-deserved spot on Strafe's roster.
trent (G2 Esports)
Trent "trent" Cairns stood out as one of the more impactful Initiators of Champions Shanghai, delivering masterclass performances on Fade, Sova, and Tejo. Trent combined utility placement with mechanical precision, earning himself the accolade of one of the tournament's top aimers.
Over 17 maps and 361 rounds, trent logged an impressive 1.11 Rating, 205.4 ACS, 1.18 K/D, and 131.6 ADR, backed by a 76.7% KAST. His headshot accuracy also reached an elite 33%.
Beyond the utility, trent was a master of clutch scenarios, converting 15 out of 68 1vX situations for a remarkable 22% clutch rate, making him indispensable to G2 Esports' success.
keiko (NRG)
Georgio "keiko" Sanassy was a pivotal player who provided explosive firepower for NRG throughout their Shanghai campaign. Playing a host of agents ranging from Sentinels, Controllers, and Duelists, keiko put on some incredible performances to put NRG in the top 6.
Playing 12 maps and 255 rounds, keiko achieved a 1.01 Rating, 202.0 ACS, and a 133.2 ADR. His 1.18 K/D ratio placed him among the top performers by K/D in the playoff phase, along with an impressive 33 opening kills.
keiko's aggressive entry trading and sharp mechanical form were pivotal in keeping NRG competitive against the world's best, securing his place in Strafe's Team of the Tournament.
Honorable Mentions
While Strafe's starting roster captured the top five spots, several standout performers earned well-deserved Honorable Mentions for their exceptional individual brilliance throughout VALORANT Champions Shanghai:
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luk xo (LOUD): LOUD's fragger put up staggering individual numbers across 18 maps, boasting a tournament-leading 1.41 K/D ratio, 241.5 ACS, a 1.18 Rating, and 73 First Bloods, narrowly missing the starting team of the tournament.
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Chronicle (Team Vitality): A foundational pillar during Vitality's remarkable run to the Grand Final, Chronicle delivered 57 First Bloods, 80 multi-kills, and a 201.6 ACS across 21 grueling group and playoff maps, all while showing fans the most ethical way to play Neon.
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Timotino (100 Thieves): A dual-threat anchor who recorded a stellar 1.16 Rating, 240.6 ACS, 65 First Bloods, and an outstanding 24% clutch conversion rate (6/25) during 100 Thieves' deep playoff campaign.
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f0rsaken (Paper Rex): Paper Rex's flex mastermind demonstrated incredible late-round composure under immense pressure, posting a 27% clutch success rate (3/11) while piloting a versatile agent pool across 11 maps.
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jawgemo (G2 Esports): G2's main fragger proved to be one of Shanghai's top late-round closers, leading all playoff competitors with a 31% clutch efficiency (5/16) alongside 210.4 ACS and 53 opening eliminations.
The Shanghai All-Stars
Together, erde, Jamppi, Cryocells, trent, and keiko represent the pinnacle of VALORANT tactical and mechanical excellence in Champions 2026. From erde's historic MVP championship run to the individual brilliance of his peers, Strafe Esports' Team of the Tournament honors the five icons who elevated VALORANT Champions Shanghai to an unforgettable global spectacle.
Follow Strafe Esports for the latest VALORANT news, and our X account for the latest content and coverage. Be sure to check out the Strafe YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.
Featured image credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
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