[Interview] Code A Qualifiers 2013 GSL D2

How do you feel after getting into Code A after a long absence?
Zenio: It’s not just the GSL , I was losing in other leagues too so this is my first interview in a long while. I’m happy to get into Code A again

You’ve been noticeable been falling lately. What do you think is the reason for that?
Zenio: I think I got lazy practicing at home so my skills were declining. After getting into a team housea while ago I think I’m slowly getting better. Revival, Stephano and Jaedong, we (EG-TL) have a lot of strong zergs so I’m learning watching them play with great interest.

Why do you keep getting eliminated?
Skill was lacking. Not trying.

How do you practice nowadays?
At the teamhouse. I’m trying to find the bad habits and fix them so I’m slowly getting better and returning results. That’s why I feel I’ll do good in Code A.

Are you training extensively for HOTS?
I played around 50 games but I don’t know. If I figure out how to use the new units effectively I think I can do well. I think with a little practice, I can effectively use the new units and thus increase my confidence

Your proleague team EG-TL is having poor results..
Zenio: With the arrival of Revival; our team atmosphere got a lot better. I think EG-TL will net good results in the future

Any last words?
Zenio: Thank you all the fans for cheering me on even when I’m struggling, I was playing with different types of mouses and I think Razer mouse fits me best. I would like to also thank the sponsor: Razer.

You made it to Code A for the first time…
Arthur: Last season I made it to the finals only to get eliminated by BbongBbong. I was completely destroyed that time and I was upset but this time; now that I’ve made it; I’m in relief and I can safely say I no longer have the jitters and feeling happy!

What have you been doing after slayers?
Arthur: After leaving slayers, I wanted to join a new team but things didn’t turn out well so I’m still teamless. I’m still looking for a team 
(Editor’s note: Hear that folks! He’s single and needs a team!)

How was your games today?
Arthur: I got a bye so I had to wait a bit, but outside of the waiting I don’t think there was anything hard I was encountered with today

How did you practice?
Arthur: Practiced at PC Bang. Playing ladder games and training alone.

Is there a team you plan on joining?
Arthur: I’m waiting for an answer from a certain team. I just have to wait for the results and the final say before I can give a definite answer.

Whats your goals for this season?
Arthur: I didn’t expect much coming into today. I just thought “I’m going to get eliminated” But since I’ve advanced. I’m confidence. And using this confidence I’ll produce good games in the future

Any last words?
Arthur: I want to thank my family and friends for cheering me on (lists a bunch of names).

How do you feel making it to GSL via qualifiers for the first time?
After WCS; I wanted to go to the GSL but I kept getting eliminated. If I make it to the GSL Ro32, I feel confident I can do well and now that I’m finally through the qualifiers; I’m definitely going for Code S.

You lost A LOT in proleague..whats the reason for this?
The fact that I’m losing a lot in proleague is truly effecting me, and this large burden I have on me is driving me crazy and effecting my games.

How was your games today?
Once I saw the builds, I knew I was going to get through. But STX Comet and I played an extremely tight game and I was close to losing. It was dangerously close.

Wings of Liberty is on its last season, do you have confidence in this GSL?
I barely got to practice for the qualifiers . With the practice I have preparing extensively for proleague; I used the experiences I’ve gained from practicing for proleague to advance into Code A

You have to work extremely hard to get into Code S.
I feel confident I can follow the road the other players have gone. Although I started playing SC2 later than most; I feel I can quickly get on par with the best.

You have to practice for GSL and Proleague. Arent you worried?
Nah. Actually it’s even better I’ve always wanted to practice for a tournament that isn’t for proleague only. Now since I’m in Code A; I can fulfill that wish.

Any last words?
I wish the rest of the Samsung Khan players left in the qualifiers return good results

First time qualifying for Code A GSL. How do you feel?
I’ve practiced so hard but I’ve always had bad luck thus returning poor results.
I was extremely disappointed and I was losing passion for the game. So I thought to myself; this is going to be my last attempt and I practiced like a madman. And after getting through the qualifiers…all that hard work I put in, all the sweat and tears I put in, it’s finally paying off.

Looking at your preliminary opponents, what was on your mind?
There was a lot of protoss in my group. I thought it was going to be hard. But I thought methodologically and my mind was at rest so I put in good results.

If you could pick one match that you found extremely difficult?
The last match in the Code A qualifiers was the hardest. In the 2nd game; I lost to a proxy build and I was mentally struck but I regathered myself and played the last match and won.

I heard from sources that in the last match you forgot to upgrade the Colosseus range.
It was a build that didn’t require Colosseus range. Moving into the metagame, I was thinking that I had to upgrade but from the jitters I sort of..forgot.

What can you take away from today?
That hard work pays off

What are your goals?
Right now, theres only 1 Terran and 1 Zerg in Code S representing FXO. Since there’s no protoss, I want to balance that out by making it to Code S.

Are you preparing for HOTS?
I’m practicing and preparing for Wings of Liberty. I don’t think I’ll have a lot of problems transitioning into HoTS.

Any last words?
Thank you parents for always cheering me on, and to all you fans. I want to thank my practice partners. I plan to show good results in other leagues as well so I will do my best. I want to thank my coach and all the sponsors as well.

Made it to Code A for the first time. How do you feel?
Extremely joyful. I practiced hard and now the results are showing. I’m happy!!!!!!

After looking at the brackets, what thoughts raced inside your mind?
I was worried about CJ Hero. But after using the right builds, I was able to beat him easily and after that, I was cruising to Code A

You beat Stephano in proleague.
I was nervous but not enough to affect my gaming. I stayed up overnight just observing Stephano’s games and preparing for him. So I thought to myself “I’m definitely not going to lose to this guy” and confident in saying that. Playing Stephano, he’s just like any other player, nothing special.

You’re in round 3 with Samsung Khan in proleague..
We practiced hard in the past but now we’re even practicing even harder. And with that; we’re returning great results.

Training for GSL + Proleague. Going to be pretty hard..
Probably but with practice, it’s doable.

Looks like you’re brimming with confidence. What is your goals for the GSL?
I’m not going to lose to whoever I face. Beating my next opponent is my next goal.

Any last words?
I want to thank my coach for standing by me and giving me mental coaching and so; even if I dropped a map; I was never in a state where I felt I was going to falter. I really want to thank my coach

How do you feel about making it through qualifiers?
I think the last time I made it to Code A..was 2 years ago?
I never felt this elated in a long time. I have new profound confidence

It’s been hard to get in touch with you. How have you been?
After dropping out of Code A; I was extremely frustrated and had a huge setback. I was worried after being in the GSL for 2 years. I’m pretty old..I have to join the military soon and so a lot of thoughts were racing inside my head. However; joining MVP, I set out on a new path, set new goals and worked hard towards them.

The community has asked if you’re transitioning to a coach?
For now, I’m still acting as a player. Since I’m one of the oldest on the team; a lot of people look up to me and ask advice but I never really thought about being a coach. Rather than being a coach, I rather go to the military.

How were your games today?
All my games were 2:1 outside of the finals. Since I had luck on my side; I had good results

Whats your goals this season?
Code S. When HoTS comes I feel I just have to get through (To Code S I guess?). I feel I can become the first player to make major advances in the game. ( I guess revolutionize the game). Thus; I feel I need to be in the top tier league for this to happen.

When you started playing Starcraft 2; did you have similar thoughts?
After two weeks of playing Starcraft 2; I was able to get through to Code S. I felt that I was more talented than other players as well. The thing that I lack is effort. For not giving a lot of effort; I’m regretting it but with HOTS, it’s a new start and I feel I can do pretty well in that game.

Any last words?
Thanks to all my teammates and coaches. Especially to my dedicated coach. My parents are worried because they’re worried about my status of being a gamer and they told me to quit. But with this new chance given to me for the GSL; I will show them what being a progamer and what a progamers life is all about; so they shouldn’t worry. (Sorry this last sentence confused the heck out of me