[Interview] 2012 GSL S1 CodeS RO32 Group A Winners

Slayers_Ganzi


Q: How does it feel to qualify for the round of 16 for 2012 GSL Season 1?
A: After defeating Boxer hyung in my set of games, I told myself that I could not allow myself to be eliminated from Code S. I am very glad to have advanced for the next round. Hopefully, Boxer hyung will be able to come in second in the group and advance as well.

Q: Did you think that you could have come in first place in the group?
A: I thought that I would qualify as first in the group if I could defeat Boxer hyung. I wasn't able to practise very well for this because there were many things going on just before this tournament, such as the moving of our training house. I think I was lucky in today's games.

Q: Before the games, you said that your practice games with Boxer usually ended with you losing, and it would be hard to win against him today.
A: It's true. I really lost more than I won during my practice games against him. However, he might have lacked confidence today, which led to him not playing as well.

To be honest, if I were to compare Jjakji and Boxer hyung, I think I am still more afraid of Boxer hyung. I think even at this time, if Boxer hyung could find his confidence, he would easily make it out of the group as second place.

Q: In the winner's game that you played, you faced Jjakji, the winner from last season. Weren't you stressed?
A: I played him in the GStar tournament before this. During that time when we played, even though he was really strong, I wasn't afraid. So I didn't really feel any stress before the games. We have many strong Terrans in our team, and because of that, I was confident of winning against him.

Q: Who do you want to pick in the round of 16?
A: I've already secured a spot in the round of 16, and I will first take a good look at who the other players in the round of 16 are before I make a decision. I haven't had very good results in TvP recently, so I hope more Protosses are eliminated in the round of 32 (laughs). I will probably pick a Zerg player.

Q: What are your goals for this season?
A: I am about to enter the military, so my career as a progamer is running short, and I was really exhausted and tired out for a period of time because of that. There is a lot of pressure. At most, I have about 2 years before I enter the military, and because of this, there was a period of time where I basically just couldn't concentrate on practising. However, since we moved our training house, I have readjusted and corrected my mental state.

There aren't many distractions around the training house, and I am able to concentrate on practising. Very thankful to Gayeon nuna, who found us a training house with good air, where we can practise well.

It wasn't easy for me to correct my mental state, so I hope to be able to try my best to win more tournaments. Last year, I wasn't good enough, so I didn't really harbour any hopes of winning any tournament. However, I've really been working very hard recently, and so I think I have some hope of winning at least one tournament.

Q: Anything else you want to add?
A: I want to thank my teammates who practised with me. Recently, Boxer hyung and Gayeon Nuna have been very tired because of the issues around the training house, so the members of the team should repay them with our good results. Hope all of us will be able to train hard and do well.

NSHoseo_Jjakji


Q: How do you feel about being the second person in the group advancing into the round of 16?
A: I am very happy. Qualifying second in this group stage reminds me of last season where I won. This makes me even more excited.

Q: How did you practise?
A: I haven't been feeling very well recently, and as such wasn't able to practise very much. I mainly practised for my TvT, without really practising for my TvZ.

Q: How were the games against Sen?
A: He was the opponent that I picked, and I feel very confident about my TvZ. I thought I would definitely win against him.

Q: Are you sad about your defeat in the winner's game?
A: The opening was very advantageous to me, but I gave up the control over the game to my opponent, which led to the eventual loss. However, when watching the loser's game, I readjusted my mental state, and that allowed me to play well in the final game.

Q: How was the final series against Boxer?
A: All the way until the games started, I was troubling over my strategies, and then I realised I had already lost the first game. I was very nervous in the last game. I'm not even sure how I played those games.

Q: Does the title of Defending Champion make you feel more stressed?
A: Yes it does. During the final series that I played, it really troubled me after I lost the first game. It would be so embarrassing for the defending champion to be knocked out in the round of 32. I am very glad to be able to progress into the round of 16.

Q: Who do you want to face in the round of 16?
A: I am also unsure which players would make it into the round of 16. However, I am most confident in my TvZ, and will try to pick a Zerg to play against. As to who it will be, I'll have to wait until the round of 32 is over before making a decision.

Q: How do you feel about the new format of the tournament?
A: The number of games have increased, which I am very pleased with. However, allowing the player who lost to choose the next map has made practising really tough for me. Having to play so many games in a day is really quite a challenge for my strength.

Q: What are your goals for this year?
A: I already made a name for myself last season when I won the tournament. This time, I want to show everyone that I am also a very powerful Terran.

Currently, when anyone mentions the Terran race, MVP comes to mind. I hope that I will be able to reach that level this year, and be alongside him when people talk about Terran players.

Q: Do you have any thoughts about playing against Leenock again?
A: Even though I hope to play him again, I cannot pick him because he is also a seeded player. I think it would be interesting if I could play him during the later stages of the tournament.

Q: It seems like your GSL championship has been overshadowed by the Blizzard Cup
A: The Blizzard Cup was so exciting and entertaining, so that was inevitable. Next time, I'll try to play even more exciting and entertaining matches.

Q: Anything else you want to add
A: I want to thank all the players who helped me practise. I also want to thank my sister and my girlfriend who came to the studio to support me.

The day after tomorrow is my sister's birthday. She says that if I could make it into the round of 16, that would be a good present for her. I am very happy to be able to give my sister the birthday present that she wants.