Interview with Ziktomini: "JonnyREcco is the best player in the UK"

Nick 'Ziktomini' Copello came to the attention of the whole Starcraft II scene with his win at WCS:UK.  I recently asked him some questions about his past, present and future in Starcraft II. Continue reading on below, enjoy!

 

You've started to make a name for yourself in recent months following Dreamhack and WCS:UK, how long have you been playing SC2?

Ziktomini: I picked up SC2 a few months after the official release.

Are you currently playing full time? What are your long term plans/goals in eSports?

Ziktomini: Yes, I've been playing full time for about 2 months now, my long term plans depend a lot on my success in the next year and whether how much money I make can justify me staying full time in esports or not.

How did you end up playing Zerg? Do you have any favourite players that influenced your decision?

Ziktomini: I started playing Protoss, and played them up until diamond level, which was the highest league back then, although I was probably at a level which would still be diamond now. However as I reached that I got really bored of Protoss and watching Fruitdealer's play really inspired me to play some Zerg, and then after his games vs Boxer at Blizzcon I decided to change 100% to Zerg.

Do you have a favourite match-up right now? You've notably beaten Stephano in a ZvZ, would that be your strength?

Ziktomini: My favourite match up changes far too often for me to comment, one day I go 1-15 vs protoss and the next day I win 75% etc, this happens in all match ups for me frequently. I guess it's probably to do with the fact that I get too emotional when I practice and let it affect me far more than I should.

Your win at WCS:UK was unexpected for a lot of people, how confident were you going in?

Ziktomini: I was confident that I would reach the final 3 and get the European spot but I hadn't even considered my games after that.

Do you see yourself as the best player in the UK?

Ziktomini: No, I think JonnyREcco is the best player in the UK.

You have both stood out as top UK Zerg players recently, is there any rivalry between you?

Ziktomini: I guess there is somewhat a rivalry seeing we are both UK Zergs but we are not enemies or anything, I still like to see him win when he isn't playing against me :D.

Following that result, how do you think you will do in the European finals? What sort of performance would qualify as successful for you?

Ziktomini: The European finals depend a lot on the bracket I am given I think, I couldn't comment on how I think I will do at this stage. Any result which qualifies me for the globals will be successful however and anything less will be a failure.

In general how do you feel about your play at the moment?

Ziktomini: I'm not happy with how I'm playing at the moment, but I seem to play about 100 times better at live events than I do online so I'm not too concerned with it.

What's the next big tournament we will be able to see you in?

Ziktomini: I think my next big tournament is i46 in a few weeks.

In your interviews at WCS:UK you were very short and to the point with your answers, how important do you feel it is to get your personality across to the fans to a career in eSports? Is it important to try and stand out outside of the game as well as in it?

Ziktomini: I think it depends on the person and what their goals are personally, I don't feel like I was giving just one word answers in questions other than to "how do you feel?" questions though, which I really hate.

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions, do you have any last words or shout-outs?

Ziktomini: I'd like to thank my fans, supporters, my team Western Wolves, and our sponsors Mad Catz, Sapphire, Tritton and Cyborg. Cheers.