After an intense weekend filled with heartbreak and breakthroughs, RedBull.Bomber was crowned the WCS America S3 champion. It was an emotional and arduous journey for the RedBull Terran who battled through Pigbaby, Polt, and Heart to capture his second ever WCS title. The ESL studio echoed with cheers of “Bomber” when he finally avenged his heartbreaking loss to Pigbaby from last season’s finals. Everyone - from Clutch and Camer0n to Rotti and Nate - was on the edge of his seat when Bomber went the distance with Polt in a TvT for the ages. And when Bomber finally finished chugging his can of Red Bull and lifted the championship trophy, the crowd was on its feet applauding and cheering for the new #1 ranked player in the world.
After coming to America at the start of 2014, Bomber has had the best year of his career. He made back-to-back finals in WCS America, won Battle Grounds Atlanta, the Grand Finals in D.C, and now the S3 title. Everywhere he went, Bomber stole hearts with his WoL-esque strategies, devastating scv-pulls, and impeccable TvT. But sadly, his journey in America must now come to an end. In light of the impending region lock, the 27-year-old veteran announced he would be returning to Korea and the GSL for 2015. Fortunately, he was able to share his final thoughts on this incredible title run, his plans moving forward, and a special message to his North American fans.
Bomber Achieves His American Dream
Translated by James
After that heartbreaking loss to Pigbaby last season, you were able to take revenge and win Season 3. How are you feeling right now?
That loss was such a letdown and all I was thinking about in the Ro8 was “payback”. I am really glad I was able to get revenge, and I am incredibly happy to win it all this time.
You played an amazing series against Polt, and game 5 will probably go down as one of the year’s best games. What were you thinking/feeling during that game?
I was ahead for most of the game, but Polt did a fantastic job of climbing back up and taking away the advantage that I had. Since this was the 5th game in a Bo5, I played a bit more conservatively than normal. Still, I think this was one of the most impactful, entertaining, and action-packed games that I’ve played all year long.
You’ve been on fire over the past few months, winning Red Bull Atlanta, DC, and now WCS. What has led to your success?
I haven’t been doing any extra practice or preparation. It seems like nowadays, I’ve been playing a lot of Terrans and my TvT has always been great. Having to face a lot of Terrans in the later stages gives me confidence.
Out of all the titles you have won over your career, where does this WCS championship rank?
1. 2013 WCS S2 Finals 2. Red Bull D.C 3. WCS America S3
You said you wanted to face Jaedong at Blizzcon, and now your wish has come true. Any thoughts about that matchup?
I really like how the Blizzcon brackets have turned out, but it seems like lately Jaedong has been regaining his Tyrant form so I will have to prepare a lot to make sure I don’t drop out of a favorable bracket.
Some people say that the WCS AM and EU regions are weaker than the WCS KR region. Since you are switching back to WCS KR next year, do you think you can still compete with the best of the best?
I believe the WCS AM and EU regions are much easier compared to the KR region. But if I prepare well enough and just play like I normally would, then I think I will have a successful year in 2015.
Since this is your last time playing in WCS America, do you have any parting words for all of your American fans?
I think my biggest fan base is in North America and I think it’s all of your support that allows me to do so well whenever I play overseas. I want to give a special shoutout to all my North American fans and to everyone who cheered for me because you guys give me the confidence and strength to strive for greater results. Even though I am returning to Korea, you can still find me on Twitch and at various international tournaments!
On October 14 2014 13:48 KonanTenshi wrote: I want to see pure bioball bomber go in there and just stomp these unaware zerg players
yeah, zerg players are unaware of bio. that's not something we know how to deal with
Most don't deal with Bomber-style bio a whole lot (NR13 until an unending parade push starting with the first max with pure bio at around 13-14 minutes, with a fast 8-10 barracks and no fourth base, ever.)
Bomber is my favorite terran! I love how he is so unpredictable, when he is at his best noone stands a chance and sometimes he has his "bombermoments" and does fun stuff like nuking his own army.
On October 15 2014 02:29 vult wrote: Grats to Bomber. Will be exciting to see how he does in WCS KR.
I am really counting on the Kespa fans here. Bomber cannot lose if they will continue to blindly count out all the players returning to Korea from other regions.
Just looked at the Blizzcon bracket and I think Bomber should be considered the favorite to win the whole thing. Sure, Zest, Innovation and Soo are all probably stronger players, but they're all in the bottom half of the bracket together, severly hurting thier chances. Also Bomber could very easily see a TvT in every round but the first. I would be thrilled if we could get another Bomber vs Polt series in the semis.
On October 15 2014 02:29 vult wrote: Grats to Bomber. Will be exciting to see how he does in WCS KR.
I am really counting on the Kespa fans here. Bomber cannot lose if they will continue to blindly count out all the players returning to Korea from other regions.
I think a Ro16 finish is about as deep a run as we can expect in the GSL. Honesty, until he proves otherwise he should be considered no better than a crapshoot to get out of code A.
On October 15 2014 02:29 vult wrote: Grats to Bomber. Will be exciting to see how he does in WCS KR.
I am really counting on the Kespa fans here. Bomber cannot lose if they will continue to blindly count out all the players returning to Korea from other regions.
I think a Ro16 finish is about as deep a run as we can expect in the GSL. Honesty, until he proves otherwise he should be considered no better than a crapshoot to get out of code A.
He was in two ro8's last year, playing in the OSL and GSL. I think his form is better now than last year.
On October 15 2014 02:29 vult wrote: Grats to Bomber. Will be exciting to see how he does in WCS KR.
I am really counting on the Kespa fans here. Bomber cannot lose if they will continue to blindly count out all the players returning to Korea from other regions.
I think a Ro16 finish is about as deep a run as we can expect in the GSL. Honesty, until he proves otherwise he should be considered no better than a crapshoot to get out of code A.
I mean innovation went overseas and still managed to win GSL so there's no reason to believe that Bomber can't do the same considering the success he had this year.
On October 15 2014 09:40 Jealous wrote: "I believe the WCS AM and EU regions are much easier compared to the KR region."
It's no different than it was 10 years ago, why do people still ask this question in interviews? Feigning foreign hope?
In America you can run into Taeja, Polt, JD, etc. In Europe you can run into MC, MMA, San, etc so there is an argument that the competition in all 3 regions on the highest level can be similar.
On October 15 2014 09:40 Jealous wrote: "I believe the WCS AM and EU regions are much easier compared to the KR region."
It's no different than it was 10 years ago, why do people still ask this question in interviews? Feigning foreign hope?
In America you can run into Taeja, Polt, JD, etc. In Europe you can run into MC, MMA, San, etc so there is an argument that the competition in all 3 regions on the highest level can be similar.
Those players have 1 Code S win between them and it was 3 and 1/2 years ago. The top NA and EU players would be high or middle tier in KR, but the real difference is the lack of depth. In NA and EU you face foreigners in the Ro32 and challenger, which makes it easier than the brutality that is Code B and A.
On October 15 2014 08:18 XXTN wrote: I mean innovation went overseas and still managed to win GSL so there's no reason to believe that Bomber can't do the same considering the success he had this year.
Its worth noting that Innovation in his prime, while Bomber is now one of those older, relatively slow players. Its also worth noting Bomber's primary focus will remain international tourneys where Innovation returned to a kespa team to focus on gsl.
I'll add that I expected Innovation to finish no better than the ro8. He proved me wrong. Bomber coould easily do the same.
On October 15 2014 01:33 Annie92 wrote: Bomber is my favorite terran! I love how he is so unpredictable, when he is at his best noone stands a chance and sometimes he has his "bombermoments" and does fun stuff like nuking his own army.
Or losing medivacs full of units to the same player twice
On October 15 2014 01:33 Annie92 wrote: Bomber is my favorite terran! I love how he is so unpredictable, when he is at his best noone stands a chance and sometimes he has his "bombermoments" and does fun stuff like nuking his own army.
Or losing medivacs full of units to the same player twice
I am almost positive he trolled the viewers in game 5 at polt's 3rd...he picked up a bunch of bio and boosted around, then just dropped off. The commentators almost lost it lol. I feel like he was toying with polt at that point, which is crazy since this is polt we're talking about.