[TCPLemminks]

Next in line, we have Pig. Australia’s loveable full-time gamer. With an international outing to IEM: China, and a few other international online appearances such as ONOG invitational #2, Pig is a name more and more foreigners and Koreans alike are starting to recognise, and for good reason.

His dedication to the game has been amazing the last 12 months or so, since he decided to go pro, and his results have steadily increased since. After breaking out and taking 3rd at WCG: Australia in 2011, Pig would go on to take 3rd in many other events such as ACL: Gold Coast, ACL: Sydney, Sea Star League season 2, along with placing well at various other events. Until a few weeks ago where we saw him shove aside his 3rd place demons and take first at ACL: Melbourne. This could be an indication that he has finally conquered whatever offline stage fears he may have had, and is now finally ready to once again win another major offline tournament.

For those of you not familiar with the SEA scene, ZvZ is the major match-up down here, and Pig (along with just about every other Zerg on the planet) has expressed his distaste for the match-up. However he will need to put these problems aside if he wishes to equal his ACL Melbourne placement. I know there’s a “when pigs fly” joke in here somewhere but for the life of my I can’t think of one so you’ll have to do the legwork yourself!

+ [Interview] +

Lemminks: Firstly congratulations on qualifying for WCS Australia. How are your preparations going so far?

TtPig: Aloha! Not bad at all. I'm also preparing for IEM so I perhaps haven't focused on ZvZ as much as I should have but there's still a few days left so hopefully I should be ready in time. I've been practicing a lot more then I'm used to and mostly on Korean ladder so I'm looking in decent shape.

Lemminks: Considering a lot of your practice partners are participating in WCS Australia, what other methods are you employing to prepare?

TtPig: Luckily I have a pretty good range of American and Korean Terrans I train with so my ZvT practice is doing fine. I don't have so many ZvP or ZvZ partners but Light being the only super strong Protoss in the competition hopefully I won't have to play any. Also I've been training with ninja and Iaguz a bit as we're clanmates and don't mind showing builds TOO much as we tend to all just metagame in tournaments anyway.

Lemminks: In your opinion, who do you think will take top 3 in WCS Oceania? How would you describe their style? Do they have any particular weaknesses that you’re willing to share with us?

TtPig: If I'm counting myself then I would hope for me being in there, but the other top 3 contenders would be Mafia, Glade and Tgun. With close followers Ninja, Iaguz and Light. I'd rather not share any weaknesses until after I win my share of that $25K

Lemminks: This will be the first time an Australian Starcraft 2 event will be casted by Tastosis and watched by the world, has this changed the way you approach the event in any way?

TtPig: It'll make it a bit more nerve-wracking. But I have played on an international stage at IEM in China so I know that hard practice is a good remedy for nerves. And I have been practicing hard so I think I should do ok. I guess there's also a part of me that really wants to impress Tasosis and especially Artosis as his commentating from season 1 of GSL actually is responsible for my understanding of the game. Without his descriptions of how to properly train and prepare and how builds operated I don't know if I would be a progamer today. So I definitely want to be able to go back and watch the VOD in a few weeks and hear some praise for my play. That being said I will just be focused on playing my game and beating my opponents. There's enough money on the line for this event to be momentous in all of our careers and we're all determined as players to not let this opportunity pass.

Lemminks: Lastly who in WCS Australia would you describe as the dark horse?

TtPig: Frustration from MI recently formed into X5 is the dark horse. He is unknown on the Australian pro circuit probably because he lives in Perth on the other side of the country. We don't know a lot about him but he could be the next Bielsko. Bielsko was unknown going into WCG 2011 back when he was beating players like Idra on ladder and he showed he had some amazing builds. So you never know what he might bring to the table

Lemminks: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview, any final shoutouts?

TtPig: Thanks for having me Lemminks! Shoutout to Tt eSports, Gigabyte Notebooks, Mwave.com.au, AVerMedia and my lovely coach/manageer Dot!

Lemminks: Good Luck!