LOUD Bring In Analyst Balax For VALORANT Champions Shanghai
Brazilian VALORANT organization LOUD have brought in Thong "balax" Chern Kwi as an analyst for their VALORANT Champions Shanghai campaign, VLR.gg reported.
Balax, who will work remotely alongside head coach Gonzalo "Romanilly" Manzano, confirmed the loan arrangement directly to VLR, calling LOUD "such an amazing team with lots of potential."
A Well-Traveled Analyst In 2026
LOUD will be the third team balax has worked with this year. He started 2026 with Global Esports before leaving after the Pacific Stage 1 group stage, then joined Bilibili Gaming as an analyst, helping the Chinese org reach a third-place finish at Stage 2 - a result that fell short of qualifying for Shanghai.
Earlier in his career, he assisted Xi Lai Gaming through China Stage 2 playoffs and Champions Paris, and began coaching in VALORANT with Soi Thai Esports.
A Team Peaking At The Right Time
LOUD went winless at Kickoff and finished 7th-8th in Stage 1 before rebuilding three of its starting five over a four-month stretch, adding in-game leader erde, initiator DaviH and duelist tkzin on loan from KRÜ Esports.
The retooled roster found near-instant form, going 3-2 through the opening stretch of the new lineup's run, arriving at Champions Shanghai with momentum behind it.
