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Translated in entirety from fighterforum.com
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Was it because he had many regrets? After the end of his final minor league qualification match, Cho Jung-hyun (hereafter Gundam) could not get up from his seat. After losing 2-0, Gundam announced his retirement.
Holding onto his clothes and belongings and with a wry smile, Gundam started his interview with the MBCgame staff in a small voice, saying "I think it's time I stopped," and let out a nervous laugh.
To the question "Are you really quitting," he answered succinctly, "Yes," and went around to individually greet and give his respects to each of the related progaming personalities at the scene.
To the request "Let's do a retirement interview," he replied "Do I have to?" but we were able to have a one-on-one with him.
Q: Are you really going to retire?
A: I think it's time that I stopped. I haven't been able to achieve good results in competitions because of my habit of being nervous onstage, and it was no different today. I am planning on ending my career as a progamer today.
Q: I would guess that you have regrets about your last match.
A: Umm... I prepared alot. Although I didn't practice with "star" caliber players, I practiced alot with semi-pros and amateur gosus. While practicing I never had a game as much a mess as my games today, so it's really a shame.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: From now, I'm going to start doing other types of work. And it's almost time for me to go to the army. I'm still on leave from school so I have some leeway but I'm also getting older and I have to go anyway. After I return from the army I'm going to live diligently (laugh).
Q: What plans do you have till you go to the army?
A: I'm going to live diligently. I have nothing to say other than that. I'm going to do the things I prepared and planned for until now. I still have school left so I'll work hard until I have to go to the army. What I will do is a secret (laugh).
Q: When did you decide to retire?
A: I thought about it a little bit at a time. When I failed to qualify for the last Challenge League I thought about quitting. I thought to myself to try one more time and to go to the Minor League qualifiers, and I made it all the way to the qualification finals. Since I lost this time, I am going to retire without regret. I'm sad but I think it's best I stop now.
Q: If you had to say what was the main reason for retiring?
A: I said this earlier but I suffer too much from nervousness. It's a real problem that I get much more nervous than when I have long stretches without meaningful games. I've had alot of experience during my time but everytime I start playing meaningful games after a long period of rest I messed up my televised games because of my nervousness. And to be honest, the up and coming generation of gamers are too good (laugh).
Q: What have you been doing recently?
A: After leaving Hexatron, there were alot of strange and faulty reports. They were saying I couldn't stand the pressure or that I had problems with my teammates but none of this is true. I wanted to practice outside of the team facility. Also at the time I had a hand injury so I had to go back and forth to the hospital.
While I was practicing at home, I once had a chance to go to a televised game but another pro went instead in my place. Personally that was a shocking disappointment, and that was the decisive reason I decided to leave the team. To be honest I still have very sad feelings toward Coach Lee (Daniel Lee, coach of Hexatron). I really practiced alot then... In any case, afterwards I kept practicing at home and prepared for games.
Q: What are your feelings now looking back on your progaming career?
A: I started as a pro unexpectedly. During a time I wasn't playing much, I was able to enter the Coca-Cola league through a hyung (older male senior) in my guild. I was told the day before the tournament and I was lucky enough to win so I started appearing on TV. It was really a miraculous stroke of luck. It was fun, and while there were times I was very upset I have many good memories during my long time as a pro. I gained much, and I made alot of friends. Although I wasn't able to fulfill many of my dreams as a progamer, I am really satisfied with my experience.
Q: Your fans will probably miss you very much. Please say a word to them.
A: More than anything I'm sorry to my cafe members. They supported me when I was going through difficult times and I wasn't able to return their generosity with my performance. I will repay them by succeeding in another arena. To all the eSports fans, please keep your love for gaming and stay healthy.