Sonder announces retirement from VALORANT after Red Bull Instalock
The ES TIMES — Veteran Game Changers player Diana 'sonder' Zhang has officially announced her retirement from VALORANT competition, with Red Bull Instalock 2025 being her final appearance on the stage. The Chinese-American player, who currently represents FlyQuest RED, shared the news on social media, stating that she will be stepping away from professional esports to pursue new goals in her life. 'I am grateful for all the amazing people I have met along the way,' Sonder wrote. 'Thank you all for the support, love, and encouragement through every moment, whether it's the ups or the downs. I hope I've made it clear that no matter what, always have fun.' 'I'm not sad that it's over, I'm happy that it happened. I love you all.' Despite her departure from the competitive scene, Sonder confirmed that she will continue to stream regularly on her Twitch channel, maintaining a presence within the community that has supported her throughout her career. Sonder's journey in VALORANT began in 2021 with Moon Raccoons Black, quickly rising to the top, joining Shopify Rebellion GC, where she spent over two years. Her successful tenure with the team saw her reach the final of the 2022 Game Changers Championship, cementing her position as one of the best duelists in the industry. In early 2024, Sonder joined FlyQuest RED, remaining with them for over a year before announcing her decision to retire. The team issued a heartfelt farewell message to her: "Thank you, Sonder, for your time with us at RED and Game Changers. Your impact on the team and the scene as a whole has been incredible. You willbegreatlymissed." Sonder's final appearance was on May 2–3 at the Red Bull Instalock event, which took place at the Red Bull Gaming Sphere in London. Fans can follow the event live on the official Red Bull Gaming Twitch and YouTube channels. Sonder's retirement comes at a time of significant change in the scene, with another Game Changers star, Ava "florescent" Eugene, also announcing she will be taking a break from competition in 2025 after moving to Team Apeks in the EMEA region.
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