After months of waiting, the RRQ team finally made a difficult decision. Rivaldi “R7” Fatah, the veteran exp laner and captain of the RRQ Hoshi squad, announced that he will take a break from Mobile Legends: Bang Bang competition beginning in the next month.
R7 stated via RRQ’s YouTube account that he will be taking an indefinite break from any MLBB competition. But he told fans that he will do his best to regain his health and resume his esports career.
Indeed, R7 did mention that he was considering an option to step down from RRQ Hoshi, prior to the M4 competition. And the main reason he thought about that was the condition of his hands.
R7 revealed during a livestreaming session in December last year that he had received medical therapy in Thailand to address the issue with his hands, which were experiencing chronic pain and tremors at that time. However, this therapy was done as a short-term remedy to allow him to be prepared for M4, not as a long-term solution.
His commitment to the team at M4 two weeks ago was widely praised by both local and international spectators. The three-time MPL Indonesia champion persevered through some discomfort to lead his team all the way to the grand finals of the lower bracket, where they ultimately lost to Echo Philippines and settled for third place.
R7 will become the second member of RRQ Hoshi to take a break from competitive scene due to a hand injury. In 2020, his former teammate Diky “Tuturu” had to retire because of prolonged pain in his hands. Even though R7 claimed he may return to RRQ Hoshi at any time, he might end up retiring as well if his hands condition are not improving.
The departure of R7 is definitely a major blow to RRQ Hoshi, as the team needs an extraordinary leadership figure to compete against heavyweight names in MPL Indonesia Season 11 and MSC 2023 tournaments in the coming months.
Regardless, R7 stated that RRQ Hoshi had a good replacement for the future season. R7 revealed last night during his livestream that the wonderkid, Andre “Banana” Raymond, would take over the Exp laner position beginning in MPL Indonesia Season 11.
