After his amazing performance at Evo 2016, Joe “LI Joe” Ciaramelli has been one of the most exciting American Street Fighter V players to watch. With this in mind, many were surely looking forward to him play at next month’s Brooklyn Beatdown presented by ESL One, especially it was taking place in his own backyard, so to speak.
Sadly, it seems that this will not be the case. In a recent tweet, LI Joe confirmed that he will not be able to attend Brooklyn Beatdown. The reason for this was simply given as due to a change of positions at his current job. As some of you may already know, LI Joe currently holds on to a day job as he believes that sponsorships and going professional in fighting games “isn’t there yet.”
So my position is changing at work. I can no longer play in the kaz exhibition or attend Brooklyn Beatdown.
I'm sorry guys.
— Joe (@thisislijoe) September 20, 2016
As part of this, LI Joe will not be able to take part in the planned exhibition against the Capcom Cup 2015 champion, Godsgarden Pro’s Ryota “Kazunoko” Inoue.
More importantly however, the change in position may prevent LI Joe from traveling and competing in other tournaments for the time being.
This is actually going to impact my ability to play and travel for the time being…
— Joe (@thisislijoe) September 20, 2016
We here at Shoryuken wish Joe the best, both of his new position at work, as well as in his future as a fighting game competitor.
Source: LI Joe (Twitter)