Beyond the Summit has announced that, because of a series of unforeseen circumstances, Linus “Pipsqueak” Nordin will be unable to attend Smash Summit 11. John “KoDoRiN” Ko will compete in his stead.
“Due to unfortunate circumstances, Pipsqueak is unable to attend Smash Summit 11,” Beyond the Summit tweeted. “He will be replaced by @KoDoRiNSSB. Pipsqueak will retain his invite for Smash Summit 12 this December.”
Due to unfortunate circumstances, Pipsqueak is unable to attend Smash Summit 11.
He will be replaced by @KoDoRiNSSB.
Pipsqueak will retain his invite for Smash Summit 12 this December.
— Beyond the Smash (@BTSsmash) July 14, 2021
Pipsqueak is a Swedish Fox main who qualified for Smash Summit 11 in May by leading the S.A.M.E. European Melee Circuit standings. However, due to the United States’ COVID-19 travel regulations, he spent the two weeks leading up to Summit in Mexico.
In a pair of TwitLongers, Pipsqueak detailed what he described as the “nightmare trip to Summit.” It included, among other things, a lost passport and lost luggage, a sick housemate, an expired Electronic System for Travel Authorization application and questions about whether he had actually been in Mexico long enough to enter the United States. Ultimately, he was denied entry to the country twice. As a result, he will not be able to enter in time for Summit’s main Singles event.
Soul crushed
— Pipsqueak (@Pipsqueak_TV) July 14, 2021
“Don’t want to tweet anything final because BTS still wants to try a few more options but what I tweeted about yesterday failed too. In my head there’s a 0% chance now but that’s just what my heart tells me. I guess technically still possible,” Pipsqueak tweeted. After the announcement he followed up with: “Soul crushed.”
Although he cannot attend Smash Summit 11, Beyond the Summit has already offered Pipsqueak an invitation to Smash Summit 12. That event is scheduled to take place sometime in December of this year.
More about Pipsqueak’s inability to attend Smash Summit 11
Pipsqueak’s fellow Swede, William “Leffen” Hjelte, similarly announced on July 1 that he could not attend Smash Summit 11 despite receiving an invitation because of “Visa issues due to really silly reasons.”
“I don’t want to make this a whole thing, but I’ll be asked about it constantly so I might as well clarify: TLDR: Visa issues due to really silly reasons will prevent me from traveling to Summit despite the visa being approved and sinking an immense amount of work trying to fix it,” Leffen tweeted.
I don't want to make this a whole thing, but I'll be asked about it constantly so I might as well clarify:
TLDR: Visa issues due to really silly reasons will prevent me from traveling to Summit despite the visa being approved and sinking an immense amount of work trying to fix it— TSM Leffen (@TSM_Leffen) July 1, 2021
Japan’s Masaya “aMSa” Chikamoto, the only other non-North American competitor, was able to make it to Summit with seemingly minimal difficulty.
KoDoRiN will take Pipsqueak’s spot as the 15th seed at this event. He placed third at the last chance qualifier, Rollback Rumble: The Big One, making him the next in line to get the Summit spot. In addition, as a Southern California resident, he would have no trouble making it to Los Angeles for the tournament.
Truly bittersweet, pip deserved the spot 1000x more than me. I hope he knows that if he's able and decides to stay in Socal for a bit, 100% happy to house and hang with him.
What's done is done though. I'll do my best on his stead and make the most out of this event. https://t.co/5PhQcWpUz5
— FLY | KoDoRiN (@KoDoRiNSSB) July 14, 2021
“Truly bittersweet, pip deserved the spot 1000x more than me,” KoDoRiN tweeted. “I hope he knows that if he’s able and decides to stay in Socal for a bit, 100% happy to house and hang with him. What’s done is done though. I’ll do my best on his stead and make the most out of this event.”
