Source: This Is Game
Coming in from last season, you've advanced to the Round of 16 once more. Please tell us how you feel.
I'm in a good mood because I went through as I had anticipated. My goal is to win the championship, so I'll have to work harder.
How did you feel that things would go once you saw the list of players in your group today?
My group looked easy compared to the others. I'm happy that I was able to advance so comfortably in spite of not being able to get much practice.
What is the reason that you chose BaBy to start with?
There wasn't any special reason. I wasn't sure whom to pick, so it didn't really matter whom I faced.
You took out two Terran players to make it out of your group in first place. During your first set against BaBy, you won using a Roach attack after an early scout, then won the second with fast Lair tech followed by quick Infestors. From your movements during those games, it looked as if you had predicted Medivac harassment in advance.
I didn't, and it was through luck that I happened to be in the right positions. During the second game, I believed that BaBy had decided to go for safe play and responded by making early Infestors in order to be safe, too.
You achieved victory over Ryung using 10pool builds. Did you prepare these in advance?
For all of today's matches, I went in with the mindset that as long as I played safely, I would not lose. I used the 10pool because it both effectively blocks proxy 2rax builds and allows me to harass afterwards.
Do you have anyone whom you would like to pick for this season's group nominations?
I can't participate in the group nominations due to schoolwork. My teammates or my team's coaching staff will probably choose, so it doesn't matter whom I get matched with.
It has been said that there is a jinx in the GSL: players who make it to the semifinals seem to fall out of the Round of 16 during the season afterwards. Have you heard of this?
I don't believe in any of that stuff, so I'm not worried about it. I will take an easy victory in order to advance.
You won MLG, your first overseas tournament, last week. What lingers most in your memory from there?
My mouse sensitivity was off. Also, the amount of time that it took to play all my matches gave me trouble, so to be honest, I prefer tournaments in Korea the most. What I found to be most memorable were the gifts that I got from representatives from Red Bull, my team's sponsor. They took very good care of me.
Please tell us how you think that this season will go.
I don't think that this season is different from the last one. More Zerg players advanced than I'd thought, so I'd like it if they fell out quickly (laughs). ZvZ makes my hands hurt. I believe that I will be able to win as long as good luck follows me around, and I feel confident in myself.
Recently, fellow Zerg players are viewing you as a hot icon. They've also said that it's difficult for them to emulate your style, so could you tell us any tips?
I don't have any specific tips regarding my style, and I don't know the reason why they can't follow it. The most important part of my style is being able to make proper responses to a variety of situations.
You received a Royal Roader award today. Did you know about this in advance?
I wasn't even aware that such an award existed. I didn't know that I would receive it until I came to the studio, so I was very flustered. I don't want anyone else to receive the Royal Roader award from now on. I want to cherish it for myself.
Please tell us anything else that you may have to say.
I want to thank my team's manager and coaches, and I also want to thank our sponsors, Red Bull, Joy Gear, and Zowie Gear. I also want to send my thanks to my school for letting me go to America for MLG as well as the fans who have always cheered for me.
Axiom_Ryung
Source: This Is Game
You advanced to the Round 16 after playing all the way up to the final match. Please tell us your thoughts.
When I first saw the group list, I believed that I would meet Life in the winners' match. Because of that, I planned to let Life through and advance through the final match. Since things went as I had predicted, I feel relieved and also a bit proud.
It sounds as if you didn't prepare against Zerg at all.
That is the case. TvZ is too difficult nowadays, and I feel very stressed because I keep losing against Zergs in practice. I didn't practice at all against Zerg for this group, and I only worked on my TvT and my TvP.
Your matches today seemed like difficult ones, and your movements as a whole looked sluggish. Was there a reason?
I knew little about my opponents' styles, so I wasn't able to adapt well. As I played my games, my head started filling up with thoughts, and my movements became slow.
This was your first match that you played since transferring teams. How does it feel?
I do feel awkward in my new uniform. I was worried because I felt that I had to perform well now that I was on a new team, so I tried to clear my mind, which worked well.
Could you enlighten us on the reason you joined Axiom?
I didn't join because of money but because of the people running the team. I'm not too picky about team houses; the one I'm staying at right now is comfortable enough for me. I want to act according to what the management wants me to do.
You have your third group nomination ahead of you. What kind of group would you prefer for the Round of 16?
Nowadays, TvZ is the most difficult matchup for me. Because I think that there will at least be two Zerg players in my group at a minimum, I don't feel too confident, but I will try working hard. Even if I have to face Zergs, I'll have to have my first match be against a Terran in order to calm my nerves.
Please tell us anything more that you have to say.
I want to send my thanks to Miso and Brown for helping me practice. I had a teammate in the SlayerS house named Arthur. Once SlayerS disbanded, he was the only one who wasn't able to find another team, so he's going through tough times. I want to tell him to stay strong. All you need to find another team is skill, so I hope he works really hard to improve his skill level.