Source: http://www.fnatic.com/articles/653/2/EM-Quake-Live-Interview-with-EGDaHanG.htmlWith the World Finals just around the corner, you must have a fairly intense practice schedule, can you shed any light on your daily practice routine and will it become more intense the closer the event gets?I played a lot of CTF and some TDM in the past several weeks. I did this because after the NA finals it was tough to get quality duel practice, plus a break from stressful dueling seemed fitting. I knew the Global Finals wasn't too far away so I wanted to make sure I was still feeling comfortable in the game. Lately though I've been playing a lot more, I watched several matches live and VODs from the EU championship as well. I plan on getting to Europe a few days early to play in Europe and adjust to the time difference, which I hope is a big help.
Is your practice schedule more intense the bigger the event is or does your practice routine often stay the same?As long as there are events on the horizon I tend to play 10-15 hours a week. Not necessarily duel though. I play a lot of CTF since I enjoy the game on its own and the community. But as an event nears I definitely put in more time - usually 20-30 hours the week or two before the event. Since the time limit is 10 you can feel like you got a lot more done without necessarily a whole week dedicated to the game as if it's a full time job. I'm going to try to take whatever steps necessary to get in top form whether it means playing a lot or staying fresh and avoiding a burnout. We'll see how it goes.
Speaking of the time different does the travelling hinder you at all? Having to travel such a long way does jet lag and the time difference give your more challenges to overcome?I think it has and does. For me personally, I tend to stay up late. So for me I believe gaining 6-7 hours isn't nearly as difficult as losing 6-7 hours. Going from America to Europe, we lose hours so it can be very difficult to adjust within just one day of the tournament. This time I intend to arrive 2-3 days early, so there will be no room for excuses. I also play on day 2 of the tournament, so that's even another day. I'm confident that it won't even be a factor this time.
Can you take us through how you prepare for that first match in a big event, do you get nervous at all?Usually first matches tend to not be so difficult. Sometimes they are, like in Dreamhack I had to play z4muz the first match. Because it was the first match and his style is so unique, I did not play the way I would have with some additional information on him and/or warmup. I don't get nervous though. Sometimes I get nervous when I contemplate what may happen in a match I’m about to play, but in the game itself I find that I'm too occupied with everything that is going on in game that I don't have room in my mind to be nervous.
How did it feel to win over rapha in IEM US Finals?It felt great. I knew that in Quakecon and Dubai my skills were likely not up to the top 2 or 3 placement level yet. So while losing sucks, I wasn't very disappointed with my performances. I knew if I didn't get 1st in Edmonton, however, that I would have fell short for a reason other than my potential at that point. The way I won also made it more special, having been destroyed the first two maps and winning the next three straight.
Who do you feel is the best European player in your opinion?
Probably Cypher. I think you can look at other top players and find weaknesses. Maybe certain weaknesses are not easy to exploit because these are still great players, but they exist - no matter how small. With Cypher, it's the most difficult for me to even decide what his weakness may be. Nobody does everything perfect, but I think he's just so strong all around with aim, weapon choices, timing, control etc. Before he was weaker on the new maps, but now that it has changed and he won the European Championship. He is the best in my opinion.
What are the aspects of your game that needs to be improved from your angle? What are the things you do the best in game and what's the worst thing, if there is a worst thing.
I need to play smarter when not in control. I still love fighting so much as a team player that my instincts aren't perfect when out of control on the map. I need to improve there. The best thing I do is timing, and my decisions based on the timing. I don't know what my weakest area of my game is. It is probably having trouble slowing it down and being defensive as mentioned, but I've been working on this.
Moving onto the World Finals, Being one of three American players heading to the World Finals, do you feel you're carrying the flag for QL in the USA and does that put any extra pressure on you to perform?
Not in a nationalistic way, but certainly in the sense that most of my fans tend to be American and I obviously want to perform as people expect and hope. Being outnumbered by the Europeans is something I'm used to at events, so I don't think it really matters to me.
With the great final in the qualifiers, beating a player like rapha who seemed unbeatable for a long spell, does that give you a lot of confidence going to the World Finals with such a win under your belt?
Yes, in the sense that I know I can do very well and I have it in me. The biggest factor is my state of mind before the event, which is based on how well my practice is going. If I lose a lot in practice games, that's going to affect my confidence much more. You can't really have bad or mediocre practice before an event and perform at the highest level.
Did you get a chance to watch the EU and Asia qualifiers? Did anyone's performances stand out or shock you?
I watched a bit of both. I think Spartie not making top6 was a bit disappointing, but nothing really shocking from either event. Some great games in the European event in particular, they were definitely in shape and will be ready for the finals.
The groups have been drawn for the world finals and you have been placed in the same group as Cypher, the EU first seed, How confident are you going into the group stages that you can qualify? how much more difficult is it having the EU first seed in your group?I am pretty confident that I will qualify. I view myself as a top6 world player, and my group on paper is the weaker of the two. I think more games (groups have 6 players as opposed to 4) helps the potential randomness of simply not playing well in one match, so even if I lose a match or two, I expect to win the rest and advance.
On the same subject, the seeding for the groups has put the western first seeds in the same group. With QL not being as popular in Asia as the west, do you think the US and EU first seeds should be split rather than the Asia 1st seed being split from them?It doesn't really matter to me either way. No matter how seeds are done not everyone will be pleased.
Who would you rank as the top five players heading to the World Finals and does that reflect who you feel would be the most dangerous player for you on your journey to the final?Rapha, cooller, av3k, Cypher, and myself. Yes, these are the most dangerous players, but I think fox, stermy, and strenx can take any one of them in a given match so there are a lot of players to keep an eye on. The others are skilled and can also surprise people.
One final question, How confident are you that we could see an American World Champion by the end of the event?50%.
A big thankyou to DaHanG for the interview. Stay tuned at
fnatic.com for more interviews as we build up to the Extreme Masters World Finals.
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