finali GSL maggio 2012

Your thoughts on winning the championship after such a dramatic series?

I was in a great mood since I started 3:0. It seemed like it was going to be an easy victory for me then unexpectedly, it went to being a full match which was hard on me. Winning Set 7 by not giving up and pushing once again despite initially being repulsed with my all-in rush made the experience all the more electrifying.

You are the first player to win four championships in a single league in Starcraft 2

With this season, I accomplished winning a fourth GSL title. Honestly, I’m happier about the fact that this is my first championship of the year rather than it being my fourth. I was in a slump lately but, with hard work, made the finals and to win in said finals, I am ecstatic.

In Set 5, you lost all your battlecruisers in one battle and were defeated.

As I lost those battlecruisers due to miscontrol, I knew I had lost. I was a bit shaken mentally but thanks to the advice of my teammates, I was able to gather myself. In the last Set, I was able to keep playing only because my teammates kept comforting and reassuring me.

We are curious as to why you decided on a strategy where you max out on battlecruisers.

Protosses do not know the power of the battlecruisers yet. However, Squirtle seemed to know that a 200/200 battlecruiser army simply cannot die. He conserved his units so well. That must be why I lost.

You started 3:0 but was pushed back to 3:3

When I won Set 3, I felt that Squirtle was becoming nervous. So, I expected to win the match easily but as we came to 3:3, I knew that Squirtle had lost his nervousness and the deciding set would be so difficult. However, I had a build set up for Set 7 so went into the set relaxed.

You tried a 11-11 proxy barracks in Set 7, how did you feel when you were initially pushed back?

Honestly, I didn’t practise for Set 7 at all. I focused more on earlier sets so if it went to the seventh set, I was planning to just go for 11-11. I’d already done it against Naniwa in a previous match so was able to execute it without major flaws.

You are now in second place (T/N: I thought it was meant to be first, maybe it’s a typo by TiG) in terms of overall prize money won, how does that feel?

The tournaments I won in had a smaller prize for the champion compared to those for Nestea and MC. Deep down, I was a bit discouraged by the fact that my winnings were much smaller compared to Nestea’s despite both of us winning similar numbers of titles so I’m happy to have caught up.

You have finally raced ahead of Nestea in number of championships

Nestea has always performed consistently and is so reliable. It must be thanks to him that I always did well right after he won a championship. I really hope he makes it through UnD and makes it back into Code S.

This was your first finals after LG started sponsoring IM so did it not place a lot of pressure on you?

When such a major corporation like LG decided to sponsor us, I was so proud and elated. That’s why I wanted to win this finals no matter what. I wanted all to see the LG logo on my chest as I stood victorious so I’m glad that it was possible and want to thank LG. It was thanks to LG that I was able to win this championship.

What are your plans for foreign tournaments?

I am planning to attend any tournament that invites me. I will go overseas to promote my sponsors and take those championships.

The trophy was re-designed this year, are you satisfied with it?

I noticed it had changed. I always wanted a sharp looking trophy like this so worked even harder for the finals.

Are you confident about keeping your position in the points rankings?

Starting last season, I saw no real value in the points ranking. However, I saw that I had fallen considerably this season so started to mind it a lot more. Fortunately with this victory, I return to the top spot which makes me happy.

Starting tomorrow, Starcraft 1 progamers start Starcraft 2 officially

Tomorrow, Kespa Starcraft 1 progamers start the Starcraft1/2 hybrid league which will be so hard on the players. I hope they work hard and show great games. If the Starcrat 1 players were allowed to focus solely on Starcraft 2, they would catch up easily but in this hybrid league, it will take them at least six months. If it were Starcraft 2 only, it would only take half as long. Taking myself as an example, I reached rank 1 on the ladder only one month after switching to Starcraft 2 so current players will also do well.

Anything to add?

My teammates went through a lot to help me with practice. I want to thank the LoL team who came to cheer me on, the coach who is my source of strength, my girlfriend who never leaves my side and our sponsor LG. Of course, this victory is shared by Googims, SteelSeries, Nvidia, and Coca Cola. I will continue to work hard to promote my sponsors so I hope they continue to sponsor us. LG-IM HWAITING!