With only a few days until Champions Shanghai, LOUD has strengthened their staff with analyst Thong "balax" Chern Kwi. The addition is notable, not least because balax according to his own information will be working remotely – a solution that places particular demands on communication and the preparation process ahead of a world championship.
Analysts play a central role in a team's tournament preparation: they map opponents' tendencies, identify patterns in game data, and provide the tactical foundation that the coaching staff builds upon. For LOUD, who arrive in Shanghai as Americas' second seed after a strong finish in Stage 2, a dedicated analyst with international experience can help sharpen the team's reading of opponents from other regions.
balax has exactly that kind of background. During 2026 he worked with two teams in Asia – Global Esports and Bilibili Gaming – before now moving to the Brazilian organisation. With Bilibili Gaming he achieved a third-place finish at Stage 2, although it was not enough to qualify for Shanghai. The regional insight he has built up could prove valuable for a LOUD side that must navigate a tournament featuring participants from around the world.
The team's head coach Romanilly is mentioned directly by balax as the person who gave him the trust to take on the role. LOUD arrive at Shanghai with a rebuilt roster that includes erde, DaviH, and loan player tkzin – three additions who all joined during the course of the season. The fact that the analyst position is only being filled now suggests that the organisation has prioritised finding the right profile rather than simply filling the spot early.
Champions Shanghai runs from 24 September to 18 October.