One of the most, or maybe even THE most, interesting thing to look out for in the upcoming leagues is Draco's progress. Obviously he has been the focus of attention in the foreign communities, however in Korea he holds just as much interest. Here is Fighterforum's interview with Krzysztof Nalepka.
In July another ‘blue-eyed warrior’ set foot into the Korean soil. He is Polish, 20 years of age and his name is Krzysztof Nalepka.
After Guillaume Patry’s success, Korea has become the Mecca for a Starcraft Progamer. Soon many foreign gamers have attempted to emulate the same, but always succumbed to the incredibly high level of competition and skill-level. After 2005 it could be said that the era of foreign faces on the progaming scene were over.
For Krzysztof Korea would be a fresh chellenge. He has no regrets or worries. He has already vowed to leave an everlasting image. Starting with his declaration ‘I have no plans to return to Poland’ this interview kicked off.
-From sportsman to gamer.
Krzysztof Nalepka grew up in a small, lowly-populated town in Poland. As a result he became involved in local sports than computers. Once he played for a football club and even boasts an international level skiing ability.
However when he was introduced to Starcraft, Krzysztof’s life was turned around. In the year 2000 the internet was introduced to his small town and he became immersed in Starcraft along with all his friends. He slowly distanced himself from the world of sport.
Eventually he was good enough to advance to the finals of Poland’s WCG 2004 preliminaries. The result was runner-up. Although in the grand finals he was knocked out in the group stages it would be a huge stepping stone for Krzysztof, showing him a completely new world. Gradually he even converted his parents into arduous supports of his gaming career.
-The voyage to Korea was a natural decision.
“If you want to become a progamer, Korea is the obvious choice, it is the Mecca of gaming.” For foreign gamers, Korea is “the land of dreams” for them to be able to earn a living playing the game they love is unheard of. However importantly, the level of competition would be that much more fierce in the Korean leagues. Therefore he choice to come to Korea.
Obviously it was not an easy decision. He had to part with his dear family and friends and leave his education behind. Nor was there a guarantee of success in Korea. He left Poland with an uncertain future. “I know what I love, I want to do very well. The place I can do what I want in the best way I can is right here in Korea. I have no regrets.”
-The seven most nervous games of his life.
In order to be a progamer in Korea, you have to be a part of a team. It is necessary in order to compete at the top level of play and improve with a greater amount of practice. Krzysztof was no different and through online connections he met gaming coach Byun Sung Chul. ([Z-zone]Byun)
Having expressed his wishes to join, Krzysztof played several test games online. For him it would prove to be the most nervous few hours of his life. He knew how important these games would be in deciding his future.
The result was 3 wins and 4 losses. His potential was recognized and soon enough he became a proud member of OnGameNet SPARKYZ. “I can remember every single one of those seven games from start to finish. I was that nervous.”
-Finally a progamer but there is a long way to go.
“I was so happy, and moved.” Krzysztof qualified to become a progamer now that he was a part of SPARKYZ. The dreams of only a month ago had now become a reality. The day he was told he had been accepted as a progamer by Lee Myung Geun, the manager of SPARKYZ, he was so happy he could not contain his joy.
However he knows there is still a long way to go. This is merely a small stepping stone towards his goals. His main goal is to become one of the biggest names in the Korean progaming scene. He wants to leave an everlasting legacy in Korea, much like Guillame Patry had.
"I will not waste this opportunity. I want to make people remember that there was a Polish gamer who could compete with Korea’s best."
In Poland gaming was simply a hobby but he knows well that now it is his profession. He is also aware of the gap in skill between the Koreans and foreigners so he will pour all his efforts to bridge that gap. He has not had a moment to rest since his arrival in July.
"I have no plans to return to my home country, unlike others before me. As long as Starcraft remains popular I will live the life of a progamer." Krzysztof has now just set his foot into a new world. However his ambitions and vows are no different from a Korean. Let’s hope for yet another foreign face to set the stages alight.
Assorted replies by Korean users in the interview topic:
"Hmm I like his mindset, although maybe he's a little too old to start?"
"His name is a bitch to learn. I think we should call him 'Chris'"
"Wait a minute 3 wins 4 losses? That's not bad. Sparkyz has found themselves a nice Protoss alongside Zeus."
"Unfortunately he's Protoss. Poor guy's going to struggle."
"So what's happened to LX? or PJ?"
"I've heard there was another foreigner aside from Draco?"
On August 22 2006 05:21 coulthard[pR] wrote: little too old to start? WTF?
Well, if some sort of opressive goverment was forcing him into the army thus interupting his life and carrer, it might seem a bit late to start. but what goverment would be so cruel as to strike down sports stars, rising buisnessmen, and BOXER, in the hight of their carrers?
On August 22 2006 06:29 DanceWithGoons wrote: In polish it sounds like " Kshyshtoph". If i am not a polish commentator i will not try to pronounce this ~~ Gogo Draco. Btw more photos.
oh shite -___-;; that'll be rough on the commentators if they decide to pronounce it as it should sound.
who the hell puts one vowel into name surrounded by 7 consanants :/ and y's don't count.. If he ever gets a game you guys should make his liquibet picture the face on ivan draco pic. Koreans are hilarious
... No stop lieing in a previous interview ull notice Draco says the youngest is 16 and there's 3 of them... 16 not 13 -_-;: huge diffrence they might have a "Juniour" team but htats diffrent ~ GL draco ... I hope u get as good as Guillaume was however unlikely that is :O.
More like he's in his prime. It is on the other hand retarded to try and achieve a career in a game that is constantly losing players, and in the end also exposure and spectators if you're 13 years old. Sure, I guess they can switch if a new game replaces it when they're 16-20, but really...
It's really nice too see all the atention around Draco. But we have to wait for his first results in Starlegues to see if all this buzz around him is really necessary. Anyways GL, and Draco Fighting!
On August 22 2006 17:51 SixSongs wrote: It's really nice too see all the atention around Draco. But we have to wait for his first results in Starlegues to see if all this buzz around him is really necessary. Anyways GL, and Draco Fighting!
ugh if he ever makes it into a starleague I would say he has done fucking excellent. I don't think there has been a white player in OSL since elky (2002?)..
I think that all those ppl who think his dedication is "weird" should consider the situation in Poland. Hell just consider the situation in that region in general. So many wars. So much fallout from Europe's history. First the Nazi's and then the Soviets. It's safe to say that Poland is still very much recovering.
Couple this with the fact that he lives in a small town (and would probably find it VERY hard to get good education and make something of himself in Poland) the prospect of playing for $20K (U.S $?) paychecks is MUCH better than what he can hope to make in the next few years in Poland. Besides, his association with Starcraft might even lead to him being employed to work for some game developers (which has already happened with some pros) doing some kind of programming, graphics design etc. Again, that's way better than what he could hope to achieve in Poland.
Now, compare that to Rekrul and Legionnaire. Both of these people had easy lives up to that point (in comparison). They both were doing college/university at the time in their respective countries. They both had every chance of being successful in their own country.
Personally, I think Draco is going into this thing with more conviction and dedication than some Koreans. Couple that with the fact that he has good apm and creativity, I think he'll go very far!
bah, dont make it look like Poland is some village, yes we are not Germany or France but it's not that bad here ;p komunisk pased us almost 20 years ago...
the differenec between leg/rek and draco is the age I think - they went to kor few years back when progaming was samething ''new'' and they simply wanted too try it (or so I think). They checked it out, decided that plaing in their favourite game 12 hours a day is not for them and they quit. Draco on the other hand wanted to become a progamer for few years now and so he exacly knew what it means too be a pro.
Its very interesting how all the foreign players are protoss. I guess its because Korea itself demands more protoss + the tradition and recoginition of foreign protoss skill.
On August 23 2006 06:52 haduken wrote: Its very interesting how all the foreign players are protoss. I guess its because Korea itself demands more protoss + the tradition and recoginition of foreign protoss skill.
On August 23 2006 06:52 haduken wrote: Its very interesting how all the foreign players are protoss. I guess its because Korea itself demands more protoss + the tradition and recoginition of foreign protoss skill.
Can some korean explain a bit about that?
I think it's just because there are more foreign Protoss players in general.
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