Here's to V-Gundam

Some of the newer posters might not know about the history of progaming, so I thought I’d take it upon myself to write a post about one of the most influential terran players ever.

Meet V-Gundam, teamliquid:

조정현
Jo Jeong Hyeon
V-Gundam

Teams: AMD, Hexatron

Achievements: 3rd OGN Coca Cola Starleague (Jun 01 - Sep 01), 2nd King of Kings 2 (Jan 02 - Feb 02)

Nickname: Bamboo terran

Retired: January, 2005

Gundam was a very unique terran compared to many others of his era. He never walled in against protoss, relying solely on his ability to micro to keep him safe from rushes. While this may not seem strange to you considering that every terran player plays like this, back in the day and age of V-Gundam walling in was the standard lest you risk dying to a zealot rush. Gundam played a solid one base terran style, and would often opt to forgo expanding in favor of increased unit production, particularly in TvZ and TvP. This would often lead to awkward situations were both Gundam and his opponent were flat broke and out of minerals. One last particularly peculiar quirk I’ll mention was the fact that Gundam did not hotkey his units against protoss. He instead keyed his factories and CC to the early numbers and used his mouse to control his army.

Gundam is probably most famous for his terran vs protoss build, which is referred to by his namesake, the Gundam rush, or the bamboo rush. Some of you might not recognize this, but Gundam’s build was the single most popular TvP build order on battle.net back in 2001-2002. The build itself was 2 factory build, with a single add-on and 4 marines. Afterward, when the terran had a tank, a vulture with mines researching, they would float their rax toward the enemy base for ramp vision and bring scvs for repairing and a bunker and attack. This was a very flexible build, and could be followed up with an expansion, a starport for drop harassment, or additional factories for more pressure. Garimto commented that “Even though you know it’s coming, you can’t stop it”.

ElkY popularized a build nicknamed the fake Gundam, in which he would open with something that looked like Gundam’s build and feint an attack while building an expansion, but that’s something for another write-up. Think FD terran, but with less marines.

Gundam himself was no stranger to the foreign community. He regularly participated in foreign competitions and show matches. He played in WGT and its tournament spin-off, WSL, taking home first place. His record in WSL was astonishing, with his wins in the 50s, and losses below 10 including several wins over Yellow. Keep in mind that this was the period when progamers were playing WGT. He also played in various teamliquid events, liquibitions and for a period was a member of the clan iG (and may even still be one).

His prime was in the years 2001 to 2002. In 2001, he was a teamless and nameless amateur who managed to fight his way to 3rd place of the 2001 Coca Cola OSL losing to yellow in the semis, then beating issac for 3rd place. He became a member of the old powerhouse, AMD, which at the time also sponsored the foreigners Grrrr... and ElkY and later Nazgul and Legionnaire. AMD later went on to become Hexatron (think Assem and Rekrul) then eNature and finally eSTRO, as it’s known today.

Gundam’s second big appearance was in the second King of Kings tournament, in 2002. The King of Kings tournaments were a special event held for the finalists of the OSL, much like one of the recent superfight events. He went down in the finals 0-3 to yellow.

In 2002, Gundam qualified for NATE OSL, dropping out of the group stages after losing tiebreakers.

Gundam made his final significant appearance by qualifying for the NHN Hangame OSL in 2003. However, in a bizarre twist of fate, he broke his pinky finger before the OSL started. As a result, he played terribly and dropped out of the groups without winning a single game.

Shortly after NHN, Gundam decided that he would leave his team, which by that time had become Hexatron. When Gundam was in his prime, he played without a team and believed that by leaving he could focus his mindset and become the player he once was. This seemed to hold true, as Gundam made it into the MBC minor league qualifers, beating fantastic_namoo and stork in straight sets to make it to the final game of the minor league. His next opponent was to be Yooi.

However, it was not to be. After losing his final match 0-2 and being knocked out of the run, he hung up his gloves and announced his retirement.

Here's the interview after his retirement
+ Show Spoiler +

http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=23303

On January 31 2005 07:23 uhjoo wrote:
<3<3 to V-Gundam, innovative old-school terran and a real class act.

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Translated in entirety from fighterforum.com

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Was it because he had many regrets? After the end of his final minor league qualification match, Cho Jung-hyun (hereafter Gundam) could not get up from his seat. After losing 2-0, Gundam announced his retirement.

Holding onto his clothes and belongings and with a wry smile, Gundam started his interview with the MBCgame staff in a small voice, saying "I think it's time I stopped," and let out a nervous laugh.

To the question "Are you really quitting," he answered succinctly, "Yes," and went around to individually greet and give his respects to each of the related progaming personalities at the scene.

To the request "Let's do a retirement interview," he replied "Do I have to?" but we were able to have a one-on-one with him.

Q: Are you really going to retire?

A: I think it's time that I stopped. I haven't been able to achieve good results in competitions because of my habit of being nervous onstage, and it was no different today. I am planning on ending my career as a progamer today.

Q: I would guess that you have regrets about your last match.

A: Umm... I prepared alot. Although I didn't practice with "star" caliber players, I practiced alot with semi-pros and amateur gosus. While practicing I never had a game as much a mess as my games today, so it's really a shame.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

A: From now, I'm going to start doing other types of work. And it's almost time for me to go to the army. I'm still on leave from school so I have some leeway but I'm also getting older and I have to go anyway. After I return from the army I'm going to live diligently (laugh).

Q: What plans do you have till you go to the army?

A: I'm going to live diligently. I have nothing to say other than that. I'm going to do the things I prepared and planned for until now. I still have school left so I'll work hard until I have to go to the army. What I will do is a secret (laugh).

Q: When did you decide to retire?

A: I thought about it a little bit at a time. When I failed to qualify for the last Challenge League I thought about quitting. I thought to myself to try one more time and to go to the Minor League qualifiers, and I made it all the way to the qualification finals. Since I lost this time, I am going to retire without regret. I'm sad but I think it's best I stop now.

Q: If you had to say what was the main reason for retiring?

A: I said this earlier but I suffer too much from nervousness. It's a real problem that I get much more nervous than when I have long stretches without meaningful games. I've had alot of experience during my time but everytime I start playing meaningful games after a long period of rest I messed up my televised games because of my nervousness. And to be honest, the up and coming generation of gamers are too good (laugh).

Q: What have you been doing recently?

A: After leaving Hexatron, there were alot of strange and faulty reports. They were saying I couldn't stand the pressure or that I had problems with my teammates but none of this is true. I wanted to practice outside of the team facility. Also at the time I had a hand injury so I had to go back and forth to the hospital.

While I was practicing at home, I once had a chance to go to a televised game but another pro went instead in my place. Personally that was a shocking disappointment, and that was the decisive reason I decided to leave the team. To be honest I still have very sad feelings toward Coach Lee (Daniel Lee, coach of Hexatron). I really practiced alot then... In any case, afterwards I kept practicing at home and prepared for games.

Q: What are your feelings now looking back on your progaming career?

A: I started as a pro unexpectedly. During a time I wasn't playing much, I was able to enter the Coca-Cola league through a hyung (older male senior) in my guild. I was told the day before the tournament and I was lucky enough to win so I started appearing on TV. It was really a miraculous stroke of luck. It was fun, and while there were times I was very upset I have many good memories during my long time as a pro. I gained much, and I made alot of friends. Although I wasn't able to fulfill many of my dreams as a progamer, I am really satisfied with my experience.

Q: Your fans will probably miss you very much. Please say a word to them.

A: More than anything I'm sorry to my cafe members. They supported me when I was going through difficult times and I wasn't able to return their generosity with my performance. I will repay them by succeeding in another arena. To all the eSports fans, please keep your love for gaming and stay healthy.

Collection of videos:
+ Show Spoiler +

Note: All Crunchyroll videos require registration

FPVOD About Starcraft vs Pusan, plus some replay analysis
http://www.crunchyroll.com/showmedia?id=38653

King of Kings 2 Finals vs Yellow
Game 1: http://www.crunchyroll.com/showmedia?id=1402
Game 2: http://www.crunchyroll.com/showmedia?id=1391
Game 3: http://www.crunchyroll.com/showmedia?id=1409

Here's to V-Gundam

Here's to V-Gundam

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