[Interviews] 2012 S3 Code A - Page 3

How do you feel after just narrowly defeating Seal?

After losing in the Up and Downs matches, my mind was really bothered. Not to mention after the most recent patch, it's been so difficult to win against Zergs in practice. I came to the GSL studio with no guarantees that I was going to win but my strategies played out well and that's why I think I was able to win.

Lately Zergs are really dominant but how were you able to practice?

I didn't necessarily practice just against Zergs. I just set my mind at peace and utilized that mindset. In order to avoid feeling stressed out I focused more on calming myself down rather than just practicing a lot. I practiced a lot on ladder with a peaceful mind and I think that worked really well for me.

You have been performing well in the GSTL. Did that follow you to Code A?

I'm doing well in the GSTL but my performance in foreign leagues is pretty bad. But even though I was worried about that, I was still able to make it to the Ro32 of Code A.

In game 1, you showed us a great performance with Immortals.

Today's games went really well for me. I played peacefully with no burden on me and I got positive results. Usually I tend to force field without really thinking about it, but today my force fields went off really well.

Reason for losing game 2?

Lately Zergs sweep through early-mid game with ease and macro way too well. If 15 minutes have passed and they just take their 3rd with no obstacles, then by then you can consider the game already lost. Even today, I wasn't able to do any early game harasses and that is why I lost.

Your next opponent is also a Zerg. Do you think you can win?

Now that I got through the first round of Code A. I think I'll be able to prepare for the next round with much more ease.

You must want to advance straight into Code S without having to face the Up and Down matches.

The road is too difficult. Even if I get past Curious there are going to be so many talented players waiting for me. I am just going to calmly play all my games.

SlayerS is doing well lately.

It's not as great as when we used to all make it into Code S, but there is no denying that we look good right now.

How confident are you in the next round of the GSTL?

Prime has a tons of great players but I feel like it willl be easier than going against MVP as long as we take down MarineKing. ByuN always asks me to practice with him so I think a Protoss on our team will be able to easily take him down. (laughs)

Any last words?

Thank you to Fnatic ByuL and Empire viOLet for helping me with practice. The build order I used to win in game 3 was taught to me by SlayerS Arthur so I want to thank him for that. We'll defeat Prime in GSTL and make sure to show a ton of great games.

You advanced to Round 2 and therefore secured your Code A spot.

I think I feel even happier than I should be because I overcame my own expectations. I kept losing to Zergs during my practice games and I wasn't coming up with any solutions so I was seriously contemplating using a 11-11. But my opponent is someone who scouts thoroughly in the early games so I gave up on that idea. But thankfully, I was able to win in the end.

Are TvZs really that difficult?

Maps like Metropolis, Antiga Shipyard, and Ohana were doable for winning against Zergs. But thanks to the patch, it's impossible to win against them now. If my opponent had been able to comfortably macro without any disturbances, he would've won. Thankfully, Monster decided to go for strategic builds so I was able to win.

How did you prepare for this?

During practices, I kept losing so I was feeling really down. I was really contemplating using a 11-11 for all three games. But then I decided to just leave it all up to God and played macro games. Thankfully, it all worked out.

Losing in the Up and Downs but have been big for you

During my practices, I was winning my TvTs so well that I honestly thought I would advance undefeated. But when I started my first game, I got really nervous. Because of that I lost badly and then that dreaded feeling just kept following me to games 2. And I hadn't prepared at all for game 3 so I lost. Last game I knew the result didn't matter so I played with a calm mindset and was able to grab a win.

Playing in the GSTL must have helped you out for Code A?

If I had gone into my Code A games without playing in the GSTL I think I would've just lost right then and there. But because I was able to secure several victories through the GSTL, I think that helped me out greatly.

Your next opponent is Creator.

I've played Creator before in tournaments so I think I'll be able to win as long as the maps are in my favor.

Do you think you'll make it to Code S?

I won today so I feel confident against vs Zergs. I'm going to practice hard and make it into Code S.

In the MLG qualifiers, you easily took down Protosses and Terrans but lost to a Zerg.

When I played against Squirtle hyung I felt like I wasn't going to lose any of my TvPs so I played with a calm mind. And against Mvp hyung I felt confident because I had beaten a lot of Terrans in the IPL qualifiers the other day.

Any last words?

I want to thank Bumblebee, CoCa, YuGiOh (and 2 other players I couldn't find) for practicing with me. Unfortunately today, Seal wasn't able to advance but I know he's a great player through our practices so I will be rooting for him to pass through the Code A qualifiers for next season.