Tenz Leaves Sentinels - “ New page in the Book”
From Call of Duty lobbies to global Valorant fame, Tenz’s journey with Sentinels shaped an era. Discover why he left, what’s next, and why his name still echoes in esports.
Image via Tenz on Youtube
Sen Tenz. The Name That Became a Brand.
There was a time when “Sen Tenz” wasn’t just a gamertag — it was a statement. A fusion of a player and org so seamless, it felt like destiny. Yet, before the trophies and the Twitch clips, there was just a kid on Xbox with a name that barely made any sense.
Tenz’s alias was born in the chaos of Call of Duty lobbies. Originally “ZZZZZombieZZZZZ” (with ten Zs), it eventually evolved into “Ten Z Zombie,” and finally became the iconic “Tenz” we know today.
It wasn’t crafted in some sort of branding meeting. It was simple and yet, it stuck. It grew and evolved into a name that lifted up a trophy. That was Sen Tenz, who was and will remain a legend. With him leaving competitive gaming and Sentinels, let’s talk about him.
The Prodigy
tenz talking about officially leaving sen :‘) pic.twitter.com/oby5AZPS8G
— anna (@tenzells) May 7, 2025
Tenz didn’t just play Valorant— he elevated it. From where he failed in CS, he made up in Valorant. From his early days with Cloud9 to his legendary run with Sentinels, he wasn’t just another duelist; he was the duelist. The one who made Jett look like an art form. The one who turned aim into poetry. The one who made players tag inhumane aim as being ‘Tenz’ in their lobbies. It became a symbol.
When Sentinels lifted the trophy at VCT Masters Reykjavík in 2021, it wasn’t just a win - it was a coronation. Tenz was crowned the prince of Valorant, and the world took notice. His gameplay wasn’t just about precision; it was about presence. Every flick, every dash, every clutch—it was all part of the legend. So, why did he leave Sentinels? An org that stuck by him through everything.
Why He Left Sentinels
guys guys relax, it's just to not conflict with future sponsor deals. TenZ will always be Sentinels family
— Sentinels (@Sentinels) May 8, 2025
There was no deeper meaning. It was just a move made to avoid conflicts with future sponsor deals. After all, even if Tenz isn’t signed with the org, he’s still family. His priorities have shifted but it has gone from being in the centre to the sidelines.
A Full-Circle Moment
Now, in a twist that feels both surprising and inevitable, Tenz has stepped away from the competitive scene. But he hasn’t stepped away from the game. Instead, he’s found a new role: watching, supporting and celebrating the next generation.
In a recent stream, Tenz was seen watch-partying matches featuring his fiancée, Kyedae. It was a moment that felt full circle. The roles were switched and now it was Tenz offering support, insights, and love towards Kyedae.
It’s a reminder that while chapters end, stories continue. Tenz’s journey isn’t over— it’s just taking a new form and as he turns the page, we’ll be here, reading along.
Written By: Sarah Dar (Writing Intern, India Today Gaming)
