So I don't usually write blogs... but I guess with all the stuff that's been happening lately I have a few interesting things to write about so why not.
My Story
It all started after my disappointment from finishing 6th at ACL Sydney (yes, 6th is very disappointing for me). When I walked out of that venue without a podium finish that I wanted, all I could think about in my head was... I wanted to be better, I hate losing, I wanted to practice and train harder than everyone else to achieve that. The thought of quitting the game altogether also came across my mind all weekend if I didn't do well, but by the end of it I was too determined to improve from losing.
So the only conclusion in the end, I decided that I would train on the KR server 5 days a week, 8 hours a day minimum. Shortly later I passed out on my bed at about 1am cause of playing since 10am on the same day. The next morning when I woke up, I realised that my motivation was actually still there, oddly enough. I thought I was just really annoyed from losing but I was actually determined to do what I planned. So I thought I'd give it a shot, start laddering on KR all day, see how it goes. Didn't look back.
For the next 2 or so months I would stick to my schedule of laddering on KR. It would get pretty boring at times but I would convince myself to keep pressing that Search button, and I had no idea how I was doing or if I was improving at all, all I could tell was that I had a 55% win rate on KR ladder next to my name with a bunch of meaningless points.
Until the first weekend of June, about a month after ACL Sydney, I scooped up the first GESC Qualifier, Sydney Regionals for ACL Melb and the Masters Cup that night. Then I stopped and asked myself, Is all my hard work paying off right now? Wow. I was more motivated than ever to continue practicing even harder, I ended up finishing the season on 1507 points in Masters. Had won 3 Masters Cups in a row, a tournament I had never won before that. Things were looking great for me, this was also the time where I officially joined Team Immunity
Now 2-3 weeks later most of you know about my recent TSL4 Qualifier results and my recent placing in KR Grandmaster. I had worked so hard playing last season on the KR ladder (first season for me to play there seriously) and getting GM made me feel like the happiest person on the planet. Seemed like everything just happened overnight, I was up till 6am going down to Ret in the quarters 2-1 then waking up at 10am just to try to log onto KR to get GM. I went to take nap shortly afterwards and when I woke up, I started streaming my KR ladder games and got up to 250 viewers (thx to infeza for putting that post on reddit, and tony for getting me on the front page of own3D)
Finally it seems like my hard work is slowly paying off, I couldn't of done it alone though, from Zepph being there for me everyday and Tony for supporting me in everything and being the best manager. To the TA boys for keeping me some entertainment when there was nothing to do but ladder nonstop. Thank you all.
Team Immunity has just sent me my new gear and it has all arrived today, I have yet to unbox it all but I'm excited and honored to be representing Team Immunity now and their support is A-MAZ-ING lol. (side note: the white Kana has to be the slickest looking mouse i've ever seen) Super exciting stuff is happening in the upcoming weeks, from the ASUS Gamespot Pro-Am tourney to GESC and ACL Mel where Team Immunity will be flying me down. Thanks to their massive support also please cheer for me everyone See you all in Melbourne.
If you work hard it will always pay off sooner or later. Awesome job mafia. Keep training hard and owning it up! You have the skill and dedication to make it big and are living the progaming life most of us can only dream of.
You're an absolute inspiration, I honestly don't know many players with your unwavering commitment. I see a lot of good things coming your way in the next 12 months!
Inspirational has been used a lot in this thread, and it's totally appropriate.
You make me want to play, and it's great to see someone who is already at the top level of SEA say "yeah, I just worked really hard, and I improved lots".
So congrats mate, it seems your success is thoroughly deserved, and I really hope to see you flying the SEA flag in a major tournament sometime soon.
This is 100% due to your amazing work ethic and effort you put in. Congrats on not only being one of the (the?) strongest players in SEA but also the hardest working.
I know all of SEA can't wait until you get the international recognition you deserve, it's only the start buddy.
Sir, through this short yet meaningful blog you have shown to us how through perseverance and determination you have managed to accomplish so much in such a short time. I envy you sir, keep playing
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