LeShar Says Goodbye to REJECT After Historic Season

Korea's top Street Fighter 6 player, LeShar, has called time on his landmark loan move to REJECT.

LeShar was a part of REJECT's legendary team that won the SFL Japan championship and the SFL World Championship, but the Korean star's departure closes one of SFL Japan's most beloved storylines, and opens one of the season's most intriguing roster questions.

LeShar's Shock 2024 Debut

There was genuine surprise and excitement back in 2024 when REJECT revealed its SFL roster and LeShar appeared. This is because there hasn't historically been a lot of foreign representation in SFL Japan, with LeShar's inclusion being only the second in the league's history (Gunfight's 2022 run with Hiroshima Team iXA was the first ever). LeShar went on to help REJECT that same year to a 2nd place finish in the playoffs in a heartbreaking defeat to Good 8 Squad. But, in 2025, the team strengthened, adding Fuudo and Daigo. They then went on an unstoppable run to win both SFL and the World Championship.

LeShar's departure may have a lot to do with some of the new SFL rules on player transfers, specifically the rule that mandates a team that wants to loan out players to have a full roster of 4 players for their team. Under the new rules, LeShar would be defined as a 'free agent,' which is a player who is signed to a team, but one that doesn't compete within the Japanese region. Since LeShar's team, DRX, does not compete in SFL Japan, this will be the category he is filed under. However, since REJECT have a full roster and will likely loan out players, they will be unable to benefit from a free agent.

It is also very likely that LeShar's departure is tied to the upcoming SFL Asia, which will kick off in 2027 and will have players like LeShar participating in it.

The LeShar signing for REJECT really sparked excitement as it created a unique storyline with a very satisfying ending. In his time with REJECT, he also formed a close bond with Japanese legend, Tokido, who was instrumental in bringing him into the team, and the two spurred each other on competitively.

Who Replaces LeShar in REJECT?

LeShar's departure means REJECT will need to replace him and they have a couple of options to do that. As it stands, REJECT have 8 Street Fighter 6 players on its books and if it is assumed that Daigo, Tokido, and Fuudo keep their places, then there will be one slot left for any of Akira, their other full pro player, and their youth division made up of Hinao — who has already made waves on the wider CPT circuit — Eguto, Tako, and Yujiro. Some teams have already announced their lineups, most notably IBUSHIGIN and Riddle, and REJECT's decision will be one of the more closely watched of the season.