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'''Nairo''' is an American professional [[smasher]] who mained {{SSBB|Meta Knight}} in ''[[Brawl]]'', {{SSB4|Zero Suit Samus}} in ''[[Smash 4]]'', and {{SSBU|Palutena}} in ''[[Ultimate]]''. | '''Nairo''' is an American professional [[smasher]] who mained {{SSBB|Meta Knight}} in ''[[Brawl]]'', {{SSB4|Zero Suit Samus}} in ''[[Smash 4]]'', and {{SSBU|Palutena}} in ''[[Ultimate]]''. He is the younger brother of {{Sm|Ksizzle}}. He is known for being among the youngest, yet one of the most successful smashers to compete in tournaments. He was considered the best ''Brawl'' player in North America at the end of the game's active lifespan in 2014, and is still widely considered to be one of the best ''Brawl'' players in the world. He was also the best ''Smash 4'' Zero Suit Samus and {{SSB4|Bowser}} player in the world, the best ''Ultimate'' Palutena player and one of the best {{SSBU|Zero Suit Samus}} players in the world. | ||
In ''Brawl'', Nairo | In ''Brawl'', Nairo was known for his highly aggressive Meta Knight style, which was at least partly responsible for his great proficiency against {{SSBB|Olimar}} players. He frequently teamed with {{Sm|ADHD}} in doubles, where Nairo used his aggressive style to overwhelm opponents while ADHD created stage control with {{SSBB|Diddy Kong}}'s [[Banana Peel]]s. The team was considered to be the most powerful doubles force in ''Brawl'', having won {{Trn|Apex 2013}}, {{Trn|SKTAR 2}}, {{Trn|Apex 2014}}, {{Trn|SKTAR 3}}, and {{Trn|Super Smash Con 2016}}. | ||
<!--Nairo gained national recognition at {{Trn|Apex 2012}}, defeating top players such as {{Sm|Nietono}}, before losing to {{Sm|Otori}} in Winners' Finals and Nietono in Losers' Finals, placing 3rd out of 400 entrants. He won his first national tournament later that year at {{Trn|SKTAR}}, defeating {{Sm|ESAM}} in Winners' Finals 3-1 and Grand Finals 3-0. At Apex 2013, Nairo was knocked out of Winners' early by {{Sm|Larry Lurr}}, but climbed up through his Losers' bracket, knocking out {{Sm|Havok}}, {{Sm|RAIN}}, {{Sm|ZeRo}}, {{Sm|Mr.R}}, and {{Sm|Anti}} in the process. Nairo eventually faced Otori in Losers' Semis in a long-awaited rematch, but lost the set 2-3, placing 4th out of 338 entrants. Nairo saw another major victory at {{Trn|Apex 2014}}, where he defeated ESAM in a rematch from SKTAR, and other top players, such as {{Sm|Mew2King}} and ZeRo, two of the best Meta Knights in the world.--> | <!--Nairo gained national recognition at {{Trn|Apex 2012}}, defeating top players such as {{Sm|Nietono}}, before losing to {{Sm|Otori}} in Winners' Finals and Nietono in Losers' Finals, placing 3rd out of 400 entrants. He won his first national tournament later that year at {{Trn|SKTAR}}, defeating {{Sm|ESAM}} in Winners' Finals 3-1 and Grand Finals 3-0. At Apex 2013, Nairo was knocked out of Winners' early by {{Sm|Larry Lurr}}, but climbed up through his Losers' bracket, knocking out {{Sm|Havok}}, {{Sm|RAIN}}, {{Sm|ZeRo}}, {{Sm|Mr.R}}, and {{Sm|Anti}} in the process. Nairo eventually faced Otori in Losers' Semis in a long-awaited rematch, but lost the set 2-3, placing 4th out of 338 entrants. Nairo saw another major victory at {{Trn|Apex 2014}}, where he defeated ESAM in a rematch from SKTAR, and other top players, such as {{Sm|Mew2King}} and ZeRo, two of the best Meta Knights in the world.--> | ||
Throughout the entirety of ''Smash 4'''s competitive lifespan, Nairo was regarded as a top 5 player, placing no lower than 4th in all iterations of the PGR. In addition to Zero Suit Samus, he has also used Bowser, {{SSB4|Cloud}}, {{SSB4|Diddy Kong}}, {{SSB4|Lucina}}, {{SSB4|Dark Pit}}, {{SSB4|Pit}}, {{SSB4|Robin}}, and even low tier characters such as {{SSB4|Zelda}} and {{SSB4|Dr. Mario}} at a very high level as well. | |||
He was the only player to eliminate ZeRo in a ''Smash 4'' tournament in 2015 and the first to double eliminate him, ending the latter's 56 win streak at {{Trn|MLG World Finals 2015}}. After losing in Winners' Semis to ESAM 1-3, Nairo climbed through the losers' bracket, beating Mr.R 3-0, Ally 3-1, and ESAM 3-0 in Losers' Finals with a surprising character choice of Dr. Mario. This marked the first time Nairo had taken a set from ESAM in ''Smash 4'' as well. In Grand Finals, Nairo won the first set 3-2 and won the second set 3-1 against ZeRo's Sheik and Diddy Kong, ending ZeRo's winning streak. | He was the only player to eliminate ZeRo in a ''Smash 4'' tournament in 2015 and the first to double eliminate him, ending the latter's 56 win streak at {{Trn|MLG World Finals 2015}}. After losing in Winners' Semis to ESAM 1-3, Nairo climbed through the losers' bracket, beating Mr.R 3-0, Ally 3-1, and ESAM 3-0 in Losers' Finals with a surprising character choice of Dr. Mario. This marked the first time Nairo had taken a set from ESAM in ''Smash 4'' as well. In Grand Finals, Nairo won the first set 3-2 and won the second set 3-1 against ZeRo's Sheik and Diddy Kong, ending ZeRo's winning streak. | ||
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Nairo was signed on by {{Team|Team Liquid}} from August 11th, 2015 through August 16th, 2016. On August 24th, 2016, Nairo signed with {{Team|NRG Esports}}, renewing his contract with them on October 11th, 2017, then again on December 8th, 2019. | Nairo was signed on by {{Team|Team Liquid}} from August 11th, 2015 through August 16th, 2016. On August 24th, 2016, Nairo signed with {{Team|NRG Esports}}, renewing his contract with them on October 11th, 2017, then again on December 8th, 2019. | ||
In July 2020, following accusations of having a relationship with then underage {{Sm|CaptainZack}}, NRG cut all ties with him<ref> {{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/NRGgg/status/1278696228100771840|title=NRG cutting ties with Nairo}}</ref>, and he was subsequently banned from competitive play and [[Twitch]]. After a witness confirmed CaptainZack admitted to initiating the relationship, several smashers tweeted apologies in response to their initial reactions, with a large number of them requesting Nairo to be unbanned.<ref> https://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/lnl1k9/nairo_gives_us_a_long_looked_forward_to_update/</ref> | In July 2020, following accusations of having a relationship with then-underage {{Sm|CaptainZack}}, NRG cut all ties with him<ref> {{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/NRGgg/status/1278696228100771840|title=NRG cutting ties with Nairo}}</ref>, and he was subsequently banned from competitive play and [[Twitch]]. After a witness confirmed CaptainZack admitted to initiating the relationship, several smashers tweeted apologies in response to their initial reactions, with a large number of them requesting Nairo to be unbanned.<ref> https://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/lnl1k9/nairo_gives_us_a_long_looked_forward_to_update/</ref> | ||
==Playstyle== | ==Playstyle== | ||
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Nairo's first ''Smash'' game was ''Brawl'', where he made himself known regionally by placing well at KTAR tournaments. However, it wasn't until 2012 where he became well-known on a national level; at {{Trn|Apex 2012}}, he defeated top players such as {{Sm|Nietono}} and ultimately paced 3rd out of 400 entrants. A few months later, he got his first national victory at {{b|SKTAR|tournament}}, where he defeated {{Sm|ESAM}} twice. | Nairo's first ''Smash'' game was ''Brawl'', where he made himself known regionally by placing well at KTAR tournaments. However, it wasn't until 2012 where he became well-known on a national level; at {{Trn|Apex 2012}}, he defeated top players such as {{Sm|Nietono}} and ultimately paced 3rd out of 400 entrants. A few months later, he got his first national victory at {{b|SKTAR|tournament}}, where he defeated {{Sm|ESAM}} twice. | ||
For the rest of ''Brawl''{{'}}s main competitive lifespan, Nairo consistently placed in the top 3 and made top 8 at every tournament he attended aside from {{Trn|SKTAR 2}}. His most notable | For the rest of ''Brawl''{{'}}s main competitive lifespan, Nairo consistently placed in the top 3 and made top 8 at every tournament he attended aside from {{Trn|SKTAR 2}}. His most notable victory during that period was at {{Trn|Apex 2014}}, where he managed to defeat {{Sm|Mew2King}} and {{Sm|ZeRo}}, two of the best Meta Knights in the world, to place 1st. This victory has since been memorized in his fanbase thanks to the sub-only emote nairoApex. Due to his outstanding placements, Nairo was recognized as one of the best ''Brawl'' players in the world by the end of the game's lifespan and subsequently was ranked 1st on the [[2014 SSBBRank]], being tied with {{Sm|9B}}. | ||
Despite ''Brawl''{{'}}s decline and his focus on other ''Smash'' games, Nairo continued to enter ''Brawl'' events and dominate the metagame, with a win streak starting with {{Trn|CEO Dreamland}} and ending with {{Trn|Get On My Level 2019}}. He was ranked 1st on the [[2016-2017 SSBBRank|next]] [[2018-2019 SSBBRank|two]] iterations of the SSBBRank. | Despite ''Brawl''{{'}}s decline and his focus on other ''Smash'' games, Nairo continued to enter ''Brawl'' events and dominate the metagame, with a win streak starting with {{Trn|CEO Dreamland}} and ending with {{Trn|Get On My Level 2019}}. He was ranked 1st on the [[2016-2017 SSBBRank|next]] [[2018-2019 SSBBRank|two]] iterations of the SSBBRank. | ||
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Fortunately, things turned around for Nairo in the second season. Despite starting off the season with a 17th at {{Trn|EVO 2019}}, losing to Mr.R and Marss, Nairo made top 6 at every tournament he attended up until the final major of the season {{Trn|2GG: Kongo Saga}}. In addition, he started winning sets against several of his bracket demons, such as Marss at {{Trn|Shine 2019}} and {{Trn|Mainstage}}. His best achievement was finally claiming victory at a major, doing so at Mainstage, where he defeated MkLeo after he reset the bracket, becoming one of 6 players to defeat MkLeo that season. When the season was over, Nairo returned to the top 5, being ranked 4th. | Fortunately, things turned around for Nairo in the second season. Despite starting off the season with a 17th at {{Trn|EVO 2019}}, losing to Mr.R and Marss, Nairo made top 6 at every tournament he attended up until the final major of the season {{Trn|2GG: Kongo Saga}}. In addition, he started winning sets against several of his bracket demons, such as Marss at {{Trn|Shine 2019}} and {{Trn|Mainstage}}. His best achievement was finally claiming victory at a major, doing so at Mainstage, where he defeated MkLeo after he reset the bracket, becoming one of 6 players to defeat MkLeo that season. When the season was over, Nairo returned to the top 5, being ranked 4th. | ||
===2020 | ===2020: The Last Year of Competition=== | ||
Nairo started the third season strong. Despite losing to {{Sm|Dabuz}} in winner's quarterfinals at {{Trn|Let's Make Big Moves}}, Nairo made an incredible losers run, defeating several top players including {{Sm|Maister}}, {{Sm|Tea}}, and {{Sm|Kameme}}, before double eliminating Dabuz, claiming his second victory at a supermajor. | Nairo started the third season strong. Despite losing to {{Sm|Dabuz}} in winner's quarterfinals at {{Trn|Let's Make Big Moves}}, Nairo made an incredible losers run, defeating several top players including {{Sm|Maister}}, {{Sm|Tea}}, and {{Sm|Kameme}}, before double eliminating Dabuz, claiming his second victory at a supermajor. | ||
Following this, however, he placed 9th at the next 2 majors: {{Trn|GENESIS 7}} and {{Trn|Frostbite 2020}}. In the former, he was sent to losers by {{Sm|ESAM}} and infamously eliminated by {{Sm|Glutonny}} after he performed a zero-to-death waft combo during the last game. In the latter, he was sent to the losers bracket by {{Sm|Tweek}} in winner's quarterfinals and subsequently eliminated by {{Sm|MkLeo}} in the losers side top 8 qualifier. | Following this, however, he placed 9th at the next 2 majors: {{Trn|GENESIS 7}} and {{Trn|Frostbite 2020}}. In the former, he was sent to losers by {{Sm|ESAM}} and infamously eliminated by {{Sm|Glutonny}} after he performed a zero-to-death waft combo during the last game. In the latter, he was sent to the losers bracket by {{Sm|Tweek}} in winner's quarterfinals and subsequently eliminated by {{Sm|MkLeo}} in the losers side top 8 qualifier. | ||
During the [[COVID-19]] pandemic, Nairo only made appearances at {{Trn|Soaked Series Invitational}} and tournaments in {{Trn|The Quarantine Series|series}}. | During the [[COVID-19]] pandemic, Nairo only made appearances at the {{Trn|Soaked Series Invitational}} and tournaments in {{Trn|The Quarantine Series|series}}, citing a dislike for ''Ultimate'' online. | ||
==Sexual misconduct allegations, ban, and repudiation of allegations== | ==Sexual misconduct allegations, ban, and repudiation of allegations== | ||
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The allegations, however, became questionable after several statements from CaptainZack's TwitLonger, including the hush money, were revealed to be manipulated information following tamim's TwitLonger on September 14th.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1srda66|title=tamim's statement}}</ref> Furthermore, on October 28th, Nairo released a more detailed statement refuting CaptainZack's side of the story, claiming that he had woken up to Zack forcefully performing oral sex on him (which was corroborated by tamim's statement), that he had briefly froze before pushing Zack off, and that Zack had blackmailed him into one other sexual encounter as well. He ended his statement saying that he had an attorney in case Zack continued to push his case, and that he was also seeking therapy for the trauma caused by Zack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nairoby.medium.com/my-statement-9a091682fff3|title=Nairo's second statement}}</ref> Nairo also stated that he had a 30-page document with evidence for the entire situation which several other players, including {{Sm|Cosmos}} and {{Sm|VoiD}}, have confirmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/CosmosZR/status/1321487207388110850|title=Cosmos on Nairo's documents}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/gsmVoiD/status/1321487390280613888|title=VoiD on Nairo's documents}}</ref> As a result, a number of players started to recant their disapproval and advocate to lift the ban. | The allegations, however, became questionable after several statements from CaptainZack's TwitLonger, including the hush money, were revealed to be manipulated information following tamim's TwitLonger on September 14th.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1srda66|title=tamim's statement}}</ref> Furthermore, on October 28th, Nairo released a more detailed statement refuting CaptainZack's side of the story, claiming that he had woken up to Zack forcefully performing oral sex on him (which was corroborated by tamim's statement), that he had briefly froze before pushing Zack off, and that Zack had blackmailed him into one other sexual encounter as well. He ended his statement saying that he had an attorney in case Zack continued to push his case, and that he was also seeking therapy for the trauma caused by Zack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nairoby.medium.com/my-statement-9a091682fff3|title=Nairo's second statement}}</ref> Nairo also stated that he had a 30-page document with evidence for the entire situation which several other players, including {{Sm|Cosmos}} and {{Sm|VoiD}}, have confirmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/CosmosZR/status/1321487207388110850|title=Cosmos on Nairo's documents}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/gsmVoiD/status/1321487390280613888|title=VoiD on Nairo's documents}}</ref> As a result, a number of players started to recant their disapproval and advocate to lift the ban. | ||
On February 19th, 2021, Nairo uploaded an update video, stating that everything was resolved and that he was considering returning to streaming, understanding that there would be people who'd be apprehensive | On February 19th, 2021, Nairo uploaded an update video, stating that everything was resolved and that he was considering returning to streaming, understanding that there would be people who'd be apprehensive towards his return.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRFmj-IaEsA|title=Nairo's February update}}</ref> Following Nairo's statement and multiple social media movements by the community to unban Nairo, tournament organizations {{Team|2GGaming}} and {{Team|Collision}} lifted Nairo's ban from their events after processing his appeal,<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://twitter.com/2GGaming/status/1370448295055687685?s=20|title=2GG lifting Nairo's ban}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=https://twitter.com/CollisionSmash/status/1371491544855875588|title=Collision lifting Nairo's ban}}</ref> while the Super Smash Bros. Global Ban Database also took his name off of their list.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/18v9ClFeQbDV0LL993f4zBLdgy0TWVmSyI4ty5yFskI8/edit|title=Super Smash Bros. Global Ban Database lifting Nairo's ban}}</ref> In spite of this, Twitch has yet to overturn their ban on Nairo, which also put a hold on any possible tournament activity since other Twitch channels could get in trouble for featuring someone banned from the platform on stream. As such, Nairo has resumed streaming on [[YouTube]] since April 8th.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg-ybA527tg|title=Announcing going back to streaming}}</ref> | ||
==Tournament placings== | ==Tournament placings== | ||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*Interestingly enough, despite his older brother {{Sm|Ksizzle}} having been known to be one of {{Sm|Ally}}'s hardest opponents to play in tournament during his prime, Nairo failed to take a set from Ally in ''[[Brawl]]'' singles for four years despite having surpassed his brother since then. However, at [[Apex 2015]], Nairo managed to beat Ally in tournament for the first time in | *Interestingly enough, despite his older brother {{Sm|Ksizzle}} having been known to be one of {{Sm|Ally}}'s hardest opponents to play in tournament during his prime, Nairo failed to take a set from Ally in ''[[Brawl]]'' singles for four years despite having surpassed his brother since then. However, at [[Apex 2015]], Nairo managed to beat Ally in tournament for the first time in winners semifinals, although he ultimately ended up losing both sets of grand finals to Ally. | ||
*Starting with [[SKTAR (tournament)|SKTAR]] in 2012, Nairo held a perfect record against {{Sm|ESAM}} in ''Brawl'' for three years. However, at [[Super Smash Con 2015]], ESAM finally defeated Nairo for the first time and went on to Grand Finals only to lose to {{Sm|Mew2King}}. | *Starting with [[SKTAR (tournament)|SKTAR]] in 2012, Nairo held a perfect record against {{Sm|ESAM}} in ''Brawl'' for three years. However, at [[Super Smash Con 2015]], ESAM finally defeated Nairo for the first time and went on to Grand Finals only to lose to {{Sm|Mew2King}}. | ||
**Ironically, in ''[[Smash 4]]'', ESAM had a perfect record against Nairo. However, at [[MLG World Finals 2015]], Nairo beat ESAM for the first time in ''Smash 4'' in Losers Finals. | **Ironically, in ''[[Smash 4]]'', ESAM had a perfect record against Nairo. However, at [[MLG World Finals 2015]], Nairo beat ESAM for the first time in ''Smash 4'' in Losers Finals. |
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