I’m probably not objective, as I’ve been a die-hard fan of Jaedong for a long time... But I really do feel that when he’s in his ‘zone’, fully focused, with that killer look in his eyes, nobody can beat Jaedong. In TvZ and ZvZ in particular, his gameplay is so flawless, his decision-making so clutch, not to mention his very offensive mindset and game-sense. It’s such a joy to see him playing so well at the moment. I genuinely believe that if he’d beaten Light (he wasn’t far off at all and showed remarkable ability in the RO8 to defend early attacks and close in the late game), I actually think he would have won ASL 21. Because he had already crushed Flash in the RO16 and he would have prepared like no one else for his final against "Fake JD". No other player makes me feel quite so stressed when I watch him play. I almost find myself praying for him to win. JD really is one of the most admirable esports players!

iFU.pauline

France1780 Posts

September 08 2026 17:37 GMT

#124

That Queen's face when he lost to Leta, knowing he would get his ass kicked by JD later on.

Crimson)S(hadow

Philippines1051 Posts

September 08 2026 18:06 GMT

#125

JD ate a piece of chocolate between every match and advanced

Rush during his peak brought a bag of ABC chocolate to every game

TULGOD at chocolate between games when he made ro8 last season

is chocolate sagi?

what happens if you eat chocolate then wash it down with pocari sweat?

seRapH

United States9830 Posts

September 08 2026 22:19 GMT

#126

gratz again to Leta

Vasoline73

United States8196 Posts

September 09 2026 02:24 GMT

#127

Nice job Leta and JD. I swear though if JD gets Light in the Ro8 again I'm going to be sad...

vndestiny

Singapore3473 Posts

September 09 2026 04:30 GMT

#128

Perfectly good time for Light to come 2nd in his group again, to dodge JD

Ideas

United States8182 Posts

September 09 2026 10:11 GMT

#129

ggeamo definitely looked like he didn't belong in the Ro16. Great games from everyone else though. Really hope JD can dodge light in Ro8 lol.

c3rberUs

Japan11903 Posts

September 09 2026 13:35 GMT

#130

On September 09 2026 03:06 Crimson)S(hadow wrote:
JD ate a piece of chocolate between every match and advanced

Rush during his peak brought a bag of ABC chocolate to every game

TULGOD at chocolate between games when he made ro8 last season

is chocolate sagi?

what happens if you eat chocolate then wash it down with pocari sweat?

It will make you so good at BW your eye will twitch

prosatan

Romania9420 Posts

September 09 2026 16:39 GMT

#131

CHOCOLATESAGI

Lazyer

United States402 Posts

September 09 2026 22:03 GMT

#132

Leta was a treat to watch today, I am happy.

Slayer91

Ireland23460 Posts

September 10 2026 13:06 GMT

#133

I'm impressed Leta decided to abandon going wraiths every game and sad that apparently Queen didn't learn anything from watching Soma dismantle Leta and just randomly threw his units away with 3 base vs 1 base Terran until he rotted to irradiates???

Honestly Leta's mech play TvZ didn't really seem.. polished, which is kind of to be expected, but it kind of proves that Soma forced him to abandon going wraith every game and other zergs are still not copying his approach.

c3rberUs

Japan11903 Posts

September 10 2026 15:33 GMT

#134

So after Leta brings down ZerO, ZerO goes punch for punch with Light (5:4 in Light's favor) in tonight's Ultimate Battle. Offline play is really a different beast.

Slayer91

Ireland23460 Posts

September 10 2026 15:52 GMT

#135

I mean he lost 2:1, one game was a BBS and the last game was close? So he lost two close series?

If you're implying Queen plays worse offline, I think we've proven that when he lost to the "office worker" in a previous season!
In my opinion game 3 was a complete throw as well

Leta got to Ro4 off the back of his TvZ last season (I think? and didn't he beat Tulbo who is laughably weak compared to other pros?), the one reason we're writing him off as nowhere near the level of Light is because his trademark style seemed to be "Solved" by Soma, but if players are not using his 'solution' it shouldn't be a surprise to still see people losing when they overextend against wraiths

goody153

44311 Posts

September 10 2026 17:09 GMT

#136

Cant believe Leta made it out first again. This aint a fluke anymore tbqh

Bro is actually playing amazing and stylized.

I did expect Jaedong to beat both Queen and Ggaemo. Looking at the games it is hard to imagine that Queen is the one with multiple ASLs

Tanzklaue

Germany1433 Posts

September 11 2026 13:16 GMT

#137

Indigestion or Diarrhea.

Tanzklaue

Germany1433 Posts

September 11 2026 13:20 GMT

#138

Leta is a legit player, and having a terran that plays the game in a fun-to-watch way like him helps immensely with my enjoyment of starcraft.

JD makes i think his 4th or 5th ro8 in a row? he has quietly moved himself into a position where he is one good bracket away from winning any given ASL it feels like. Let's hope he doesn't meet Light again in the ro8!

Biff The Understudy

France8213 Posts

September 11 2026 15:43 GMT

#139

Well Leta keeps proving his skeptics wrong.

My two favorite players making it out is really nice.

c3rberUs

Japan11903 Posts

September 11 2026 16:34 GMT

#140

On September 11 2026 00:52 Slayer91 wrote:
I mean he lost 2:1, one game was a BBS and the last game was close? So he lost two close series?

If you're implying Queen plays worse offline, I think we've proven that when he lost to the "office worker" in a previous season!
In my opinion game 3 was a complete throw as well

Leta got to Ro4 off the back of his TvZ last season (I think? and didn't he beat Tulbo who is laughably weak compared to other pros?), the one reason we're writing him off as nowhere near the level of Light is because his trademark style seemed to be "Solved" by Soma, but if players are not using his 'solution' it shouldn't be a surprise to still see people losing when they overextend against wraiths

I guess I was trying to imply Queen can play worse online. He did win ASL two times so I dare not say always. But also Leta can play better offline.

And yes the loss to BCM is strong proof indeed. (thanks to jinjin I know of this funny incident lol)