Exclusive: Shortround on a comeback?

When checking the registration list for the ESWC USA qualifiers i noticed a surprising name. Next to the usual Shriek, Sonkie and HolyHuman it is Dennis "Shortround-" Chan who signed up for his National ESWC Qualifier.

The US Qualifiers for ESWC 2008, planned to be played online from April 7th to June 5th, will delegate 2 American players to the ESWC Grand Final 2008, taking place in the Official Host City of San Jose, California from August 25th to 27th.

Chan played Warcraft III scene since Reign of Chaos and already attended the ESWC tournament back in 2004. Back then he didn’t make if further than a 3rd place. However, at the World Cyber Games that same year Shortround was successful with a 4th place at the World Finals.

Ever since then, Shortround was the figurehead of the American Warcraft 3 scene with trips to all parts of the world, until his suddenly disappearance from the scene at the end of 2006. During his long term career the 24-year-old from Orange County, California reached many highlights. With a another fourth place at the World E-Sport Games 2005, a fourth place at BlizzCon 2005, a second place at the World Cyber Games 2005 in Suntec City, Singapore and a fourth place at the WSVG Finals in 2006, Chan lays claim to the tag of a Legend.

Shortround was part of various teams such as rS, aT, mouz and most recently Team 3D. His first success team wise was with the French ArmaTeam (aT) where in Paris the team took a respectable second place at the WC3L Season IV playoffs. However, most of his success was with team mouz. After being absence at the finals for a year he qualified again for the WC3L Season VI finals which resulted in a fourth place. Two seasons later, WC3L Season VIII, Shortround finished third with Mousesports.

Chan already showed the first signs of a possible return at the Extreme Masters 2007 in Los Angeles. However he appointed to mainly play for fun which also came back in the result. He got swept away by hanf and Lucifer.

In the time he was away, talents like Sonkie and Shriek rised up to form the top layer of the American Warcraft 3 scene, will Dennis Chan be able to return to his throne or will the "oldie" need mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to catch up with the youngsters.