After a tough defeat by Top Esports, the South Korean team Dplus KIA finds themselves on the brink of elimination from Worlds 2024. The tournament started with two victories for the team, but now they have no margin for error, and the upcoming matches will be critical for their continued participation.
Dplus KIA is one of the renowned South Korean teams, and their journey in the championship has captured the attention of many fans worldwide. Particular attention is on Kingen, the team's toplaner, who, in an exclusive interview with Sheep Esports, shares his thoughts on becoming a professional player, his title as "Big Game Hunter," and his thirst for another triumph at the World Championship.
From Rookie to Veteran: Kingen's Journey
Kingen, who won Worlds 2022 with DRX, talked about his transition to Dplus KIA and the challenges he faced in his career. Hailing from Daegu, Kingen overcame difficulties to become a professional, starting his path in a gamers' school. His parents were divided in their support, but despite this, Kingen proved his determination by winning the main tournament in 2022. Now, his primary goal is a second Worlds title. "I believe I have already achieved success by winning Worlds in 2022, but I am waiting for my second title. Success should always be followed by another," noted Kingen.
Current Challenges and the Importance of Upcoming Matches
At the current Worlds, Dplus KIA finds themselves in a challenging situation. After a successful start, the last two defeats have put the team before a final test. Kingen acknowledges that the games were "quite winnable," but the team failed to capitalize on their advantages, leading to disappointment. "Both games were absolutely winnable, but we missed our chances. It is very disappointing that we couldn't utilize our advantages to secure the victory," he added. Now all attention is on the final match, which will decide the team's fate.
Motivation and Role in the Team
Amidst challenging circumstances, Kingen continues to support his young teammates, such as Lucid. In the interview, he admitted that it's strange for him to realize he has already become a veteran on the scene, but he continues to strive to show his best. "I still can't believe that I'm becoming one of the older players, like some veteran. It seems unreal. But nonetheless, I will always try my best," shared Kingen. The nickname "Big Game Hunter" has become an important part of his public image, but Kingen himself notes that he wants to prove once more that he truly deserves this title. "After today's defeat, I feel like I need to prove myself again and show that I deserve this nickname. Most players get nervous at Worlds, but I don't. That's why I outplay them," he confidently stated.
Game Mindset
Ahead of the decisive match, Kingen and his team are prepared to give it their all. "This is our last chance, and we will show everything we're capable of," says the toplaner, emphasizing that Dplus KIA is always confident in their abilities and strives for victory, despite the pressure. "We always play with the certainty that we will win, so we will continue to be confident." He added: "We are confident that we need to win and will act based on that. It's a knockout game, and we can make no mistakes anymore. We will show the maximum of what we are capable of."
Additionally, Kingen noted how important this tournament is for him: "After missing Worlds last year, returning to the championship in 2024 has become something special for me. I intend to prove that 'Big Game Hunter' is not just a nickname, but a title that I deserve."
Source: Sheep Esports
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