For the first time in a long time, we have been able to meet a foreigner in a pro-gamer training center. A foreigner, following in the footsteps of eStro’s Guillaume, Bertrand, and Peter has appeared. Gregory Andrew Fields has been training with the estro team since April. Greg is the first foreigner in a long time who has appeared on the Korean starcraft scene.
*He is clearly different from Bertrand and Guillaume.
Greg claimed first place at an estro sponsored event called, “Superstars” and was given the chance to practice with the estro team. “Superstars” is an estro sponsored Starcraft tournament that targets American amateur gamers. Greg claimed first place in the Superstars tournament and received an invitation from Coach Jiho Lee to train with team estro. Coach said, “He was able to come because he won the Superstars tournament. Greg was an acquaintance of Peter who trained with estro before. Peter talked regularly about his experiences with estro and from that point on Greg had a strong desire to come to Korea.”
On his way to Korea, Greg said that he made a resolution that he would not fail like the other foreign pro gamers. “Other foreign pro gamers were interested in playing matches, but many of them also had an urge to explore Korea. But I am different from them. I am only interested in becoming a pro gamer. That is why I came to Korea. I have been secluded in a training room for almost 2 months and I have not gone anywhere.”
Estro’s Jiho Lee said, “I don’t recall seeing Greg really leave the training facility. In the training room he is receiving the same intensive training as everyone else.”
*While watching Nada, Greg raised his dream of becoming a pro gamer.
When asked what kind of pro gamer he wants to become, without hesitation, Greg replied, “Nada”. Nada is the ID Lee Yoon Yeol of Wemade Fox utilizes. Greg says that he watched the plays of Nada and dreamt of one day becoming a pro gamer. "Lee Yoon Yeol is the tpye of player I aspire to become. I gained interest in Starcraft when I watched Lee Yoon Yeol’s games and I am living my pro gamer lifestyle with Nada as my eventual goal. He is also the reason my main race is Terran.”
With Nada as his inspiration and role model, against the wishes of his father, Greg risked everything and came to Korea. Greg, who came to Korea with much difficulty, said he was very surprised at Korea’s Starcraft training facilities.
“My father was very against my coming to Korea. But because it was my dream, I did not want to lose a good chance. My mother fully supports me. She also frequently converses with the coach.”
“At first, I thought we would have self controlled practice. But in a first rate training facility, the amount of training is unparalleled. It’s like the army here. The training is hard but I think it is really an outstanding step-by-step program to create a pro gamer. Other foreigners would really have a hard time following this kind of training regimen. But because I came to Korea to become a pro gamer I enjoy the practices.
*I will get my name into the Proleague roster within 10 months!
Greg’s aspirations, like all other pro gamers, are wins in Proleague and individual leagues.
“Obviously my goals are to win in both Proleague and individual leagues. Of course, I know this will be very difficult, but in the meantime, I am in possession of very distant goals. Currently my goal is to pass the Courage League. Once I pass the courage league matches and receive my qualification as a pro gamer, my next goal is to get on the Proleague roster.”
Greg’s goal is to be on the Proleague roster within the next ten months. Coach Jiho Lee say that the process usually takes 1 year, but Greg, with burning desire, says that he will train much harder than other pros to see if he can shorten that time. When asked to inform fans of his play style, Greg replied, “Although my control may be lacking, I am confident in my ability to macro.” But Coach Lee said, “In my opinion, it is the opposite. Greg is deficient in many areas of his game, but he is especially lacking in his ability to read the game and produce units.”
“Korean fans probably don’t know who I am yet. If they just knew the fact that I was pushing myself to my limits practicing in the estro training facility, I would be very happy. I don’t want to be called a white gamer. I will try my hardest, instead, to be remembered as an exceptionally skilled pro gamer, so I hope that people will have interest and watch over me,” Greg said, as he once again returned to the training room.
translated by: masami.sc
source: http://gmnews.afreeca.com:8109/app/index.php?control=view&board=news_esports&c_no=5&b_no=25975