In a dual interview on the 23rd with Fantasy of SKT, Hydra revealed that, "One of my eyes can only see object's outlines, and I can't do lasik or anything on it. I play with one eye."
Under these circumstances, he's not only won a personal championship, but takes on the burden of ace player on his team. Fantasy and the others were astounded at this. Because of a childhood accident in which his left eye was damaged by broken glass, Hydra's left cornea has taken TERRIBLE TERRIBLE DAMAGE. [T/N: some liberties taken here with the translation, of course]. Though undergoing surgery, his eye was unable to recover, and can only see outlines, finding it difficult to distinguish between objects. Things on the left side of his body are often not visible to him, and as such is often thought to be ignoring others. With a practically blind left eye, Hydra worked much harder with his right eye to get accustomed to everyday life. But relying solely upon one eye has caused his right eye's vision to deteriorate as well. Because it's hard for him to see the minimap clearly, Hydra decided to wear a contact lens in his right eye, and his StarCraft skills took a step up afterwards.
He never talked about this before simply because there was no need to. The fact that he's blind in one eye came out in the interview as the topic went to conscription. Hydra said, "this isn't anything to show off - if I just went around on this without anyone asking me it would feel a bit weird so I just kept it to myself." He's been able to live life and play StarCraft with one eye, winning a championship due to his honest personality. It is said that Hydra takes in and accepts all instruction from coaches without any complaint, using break time to work on aspects of his game that he himself finds inadequate.
"To be honest, it's definitely hard to play StarCraft with only one eye. But I feel that overcoming all odds to accomplish my dream is happiness. I have to work harder than other players if I wish to pull ahead, so I'll work even harder. To be the best pro player, I'll give it all I've got."
*Throws back head triumphantly with a smug smile on face* What'd I tell ya guys, what'd I tell ya. Hydra's a hard-working boy, what can I say? His results speak for himself. You know you work hard when you win a MSL championship, but winning a championship with one eye only and through sheer effort alone? It's more than just a mere accomplishment.
YEEEAHHHHH HYDRAAAAA KEEP ON TRUCKING, MY BOY. Always proud of ya, my fellow birthday-sharer! |D
Side note: Lmfao, the Korean netizens are ASTOUNDED by this information and now semi-revering him. Shin Dong Won indeed.
Damn, I can't believe he's so good with only having full use of 1 eye, congrats to Hydra! He must've had to practice soo much harder than the other players, but at least he's got a gold to show for it :D!
How can I dislike a player like that now..... His rise to stardom has been so quick that I never gave him much credit, but to rise like that with a handicap is crazy hydra
I want a T-Shirt with Hydra now, in Che style. :bow: But that also means he has difficulty following the minimap. Hope opponents don't try to abuse that somehow, it would be a low blow.
Holy f... That... That is Pro Gaming "Fighting Spirit" right here, ANYONE can take a page out of Hydra's book and learn something. This should be frontpaged imo.... this is just inspirational to say the least. Hydra is a beast... TL needs to get a live interview... GO HB!
On June 24 2011 13:13 prototype. wrote: Flash should learn a thing or two from hydra.
Again, quote of the thread. I also remember Hydra saying after being beaten by Flash in the previous MSL something like (a paraphrase) "I learned so much, these games pointed out my weaknesses and my limited understanding." He could very well have mentioned his eye, but no. Flash on the other hand volunteers information every opportunity he gets to mention his wrists. He could just say, "It's ok fans, it's being treated and doctors say its fine so don't worry about it" (which is factually true and sportsmanlike). Instead he chooses to mention tendons, muscles, he cant hold the mouse... It's sad, tbh. That is the reason why Koka, prototype, and others like me find it offensive.
For all the haters, a comparison of the two injuries
Flash - Recent condition - Fluctuating in severity - Directly due to playing - Potentially treatable - Known and questioned upon - Directly visible
Hydra - Past condition - Stable in severity - From a childhood incident - Permanent - Unknown until now, interviewers will probably ask him about it from now on - Not clearly visible
I'm surprised he never mentioned his disability (and its burden on his concentration) in previous interviews. I'm very impressed with his additional effort and perseverance.
I'm impressed with his effort and fighting spirit. Props to him for never using it as an excuse. He really has overcome a lot and I'm glad his hard work has let him minimize this disability and take a title. I hope he continues to do well in the future.
On June 24 2011 14:22 tube wrote: man.. cyclops.. thats offensive man
In my defense, that was the title used in the Chinese translation. I'm not sure what it was in the original Korean. "Cyclops" isn't necessarily interpreted as an offensive in Chinese, so the intent could be different from how we receive it in English.
On June 24 2011 13:55 hauton wrote: So, protip for those playing against Hydra - send your drops in from the left
EDIT: also, where are the fanboys bitching that a progamer is talking about a valid impairment to his play?
hydra has been playing with his handicap and not complaining, or blaming his losses on it all these years. the moment flash loses he brings up his wrist injury. thats the difference.
On June 24 2011 14:22 tube wrote: man.. cyclops.. thats offensive man
In my defense, that was the title used in the Chinese translation. I'm not sure what it was in the original Korean. "Cyclops" isn't necessarily interpreted as an offensive in Chinese, so the intent could be different from how we receive it in English.
I actually don't find it offensive at all. You know how ballin' a Cyclops is in the stories? Anyway it's just how you interpret it!
People, grow up please, it is apples and oranges. Stop comparing the two conditions, they are very different. Obviously you can play with 1 eye, but not with 1 hand. So very different.
Just respect Hydra for his mad effort, and respect Flash for his mad skills.
When i saw the end of 4set of pdpop MSL finals, i thought it was weird to see the new champion rubbing his eyes. Usually winners will throw their arms up, etc. Guess it must have been tiring for his eyes.
On June 24 2011 15:00 Release wrote: When i saw the end of 4set of pdpop MSL finals, i thought it was weird to see the new champion rubbing his eyes. Usually winners will throw their arms up, etc. Guess it must have been tiring for his eyes.
On June 24 2011 15:00 Release wrote: When i saw the end of 4set of pdpop MSL finals, i thought it was weird to see the new champion rubbing his eyes. Usually winners will throw their arms up, etc. Guess it must have been tiring for his eyes.
I though he was so happy he was about to cry or something.
Like some others have said, it's also incredibly admirable that he didn't bring it up until now...when he won a starleague and has proven to be one of the top players this season.
BTW, I agree with the person that said this should be posted in the news section. It's an incredibly inspirational piece of news that I think everyone on TL should hear about.
Wow, love his attitude/spirit, what a super cool guy. Respect to Hydra Even if you do become accustomed to playing with just one eye it still must be difficult
On June 24 2011 12:35 Funnytoss wrote: [T/N: I disliked Hydra for fucking over Bisu last MSL, but mad props to him for what he's been able to go through and accomplish]
Bisu fucked overhimself with his shitty PvT, there is no need to blame others for that.
How the fuck did this turn into a handicap severity contest? Some of you people...
Hydra chose the path of progaming because that is what he wanted to do. Despite being stunted from the get go. He beat the odds, became a starleague champion and the ace player for one of the top teams. And bickering over who is impaired more is the best you can do?
On June 24 2011 12:43 Legatus Lanius wrote: wow, must be hard to live with no depth perception :C
He still has depth perception, it's just not as good as for people with 2 working eyes. I'm sure his brain has adjusted for the lack of a second eye providing vision by now, since it happened when he was very young.
Still, interesting fact and props for making it to this level with this kind of disability.
On June 24 2011 12:43 Legatus Lanius wrote: wow, must be hard to live with no depth perception :C
He still has depth perception, it's just not as good as for people with 2 working eyes. I'm sure his brain has adjusted for the lack of a second eye providing vision by now, since it happened when he was very young.
Still, interesting fact and props for making it to this level with this kind of disability.
On June 24 2011 12:43 Legatus Lanius wrote: wow, must be hard to live with no depth perception :C
He still has depth perception, it's just not as good as for people with 2 working eyes. I'm sure his brain has adjusted for the lack of a second eye providing vision by now, since it happened when he was very young.
Still, interesting fact and props for making it to this level with this kind of disability.
On June 24 2011 13:55 hauton wrote: So, protip for those playing against Hydra - send your drops in from the left
EDIT: also, where are the fanboys bitching that a progamer is talking about a valid impairment to his play?
hydra has been playing with his handicap and not complaining, or blaming his losses on it all these years. the moment flash loses he brings up his wrist injury. thats the difference.
I'm pretty sure 1) most of the interviews we get of Flash are when he wins and 2) the interviewers are bringing it up most times because it's BIG NEWS when the best player in the world has a physical issue that impacts play.
Like two years ago when P Manning had the knee issue, every reporter would ask him about it in every game for the first half of the season even when it obviously wasn't an issue.
Sheesh.
All that said, mad respect for Hydra, playing with one eye is nuts.
I don't mean to disrespect hydra in any way, and I realize it is a really great that he is able to get through life with only one eye but... how would having only one eye possibly affect Starcraft play? You don't need depth perception to play SC...???
Also, he won't feel any pain by now since this was a childhood accident.
On June 25 2011 11:57 oxidized wrote: I don't mean to disrespect hydra in any way, and I realize it is a really great that he is able to get through life with only one eye but... how would having only one eye possibly affect Starcraft play? You don't need depth perception to play SC...???
Also, he won't feel any pain by now since this was a childhood accident.
His working eye has to move further to cover the area his non-working eye would normally cover. I would imagine this probably puts a lot of strain on his working eye. Also there is a chance his left eye could have been the dominant one (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocular_dominance). According to this article, there is a 1/3 chance his left eye (non-working) could be his more coordinated eye.
On June 24 2011 13:15 henzi wrote: How can I dislike a player like that now..... His rise to stardom has been so quick that I never gave him much credit, but to rise like that with a handicap is crazy hydra
actually crazy hydra is a different person,hydra is only hydra,now fi you meant it as a pun (which i don't get) with knowing they are 2 different people then i guess its ok
I wanna see a showmatch now between hydra and someone else. Handicap: opponent has to play with an eyepatch. It'll be like boxer v. blind kid (or the all stars games 3v3 + handicaps)! Sadly I don't think this would happen... it might be embarrassing/demeaning to hydra
Hydra... damn, mad respect! It must be really difficult to play with one eye. The fact that he got gold in MSL just makes his story even more astonishing. Hydra fighting!
I'm curious why the vision in his right eye would deteriorate? In patients with strabismic amblyopia (not what Hydra has, but a medical condition where the brain does not use one of the eyes properly) it's typically the unused eye that is at risk for vision deterioration while the dominant eye is fine. I'd think if anything his left eye would be gradually getting worse to the point of blindness if he doesn't make sure to use it at least a little.
EPT![[image loading]](http://www.plu.cn/d/file/sc/note/2011-06-24/ec742915c20bdd9110e9a50dda9337e1.jpg)
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