Graphics by Nick Lupo

Age: 20
Birthdate: July 20, 1987
Location: Sloatsburg, NY
Favorite Sports: Soccer and Hockey
Favorite Movies: The Count of Monte Cristo
Favorite Artists: Maroon 5 ( I stay true to my music. )

List your accomplishments and teams as best you can:

WCG Regional 2006 - 2nd place ; I won my spot to Nationals, in Vegas but couldn't go due to personal problems.

Tell me a little bit about your family (parents and siblings, etc)

My family is great. My mother is absolutely amazing and my dad is also phenomenal. I have a twin brother named Yan (Ian) who is pretty much my best friend. I also have an older brother and an older sister. I am the youngest of four (Yan was born in the car on the way to the hospital. I was born in the hospital an hour later.)

Besides gaming, what other hobbies do you have?

Soccer. It keeps me fit and I absolutely love to play it. Competition is the best thing ever. Besides soccer, I also like to keep busy working on projects and whatnot.

How and when did you get your start into gaming, and specifically, FIFA?

Believe it or not I was really into CS 1.6. I played CS for many years before I realized that I was just not good at it. I played FIFA for fun since 2001 and it wasn't until 2006 that I started getting involved in the FIFA community. I went to WCG Regionals and made it back in time for the Goo Goo Dolls concert that night. After regionals, I really wanted to continue competing in FIFA, so I joined the ESL ladder in Europe and started making friends who pretty much showed me "the way." From then on, I always wanted to be the first to know about prestigious tournaments so that I can make a name for myself.

Do you play any of the other CGS titles?

Of course. I just got DOA4 the other day and I've had Source for quite sometime now.

What was your first competition?

World Cyber Games Regional 2006 in NYC. A blast.

What do you think is your strongest attribute in playing FIFA?

I feel that I have many strong attributes. But definitely my willingness to improve.

What do you hope to bring to the Chimera team?

A top three finish.

How did your parents and friends initially react when you told them you wanted to be a professional gamer. Has, if so how, that outlook changed since being drafted into the CGS.

Well when I played at home for the majority of the day, my Mother started to get worried. She felt that I was wasting my time. But when I called her from my apartment at school and told her to book a flight to Austin, she was all for it. She knew that it was something I felt so strong about, so she wasn't going to say no. Right now she is very proud of me and so is the rest of my family.

Do you currently attend school or have a job?

I am currently a Junior at SUNY Oneonta in upstate New York.

If you weren't a professional gamer, what do you see yourself doing?

Probably starting my own business which I will most likely do anyway.

Do you have any inspirational quotes for aspiring pro gamers?

Just practice hard. Devote as many hours to the game as you can and once you get comfortable, start to play with players who are better than you. I believe this is essential in any aspect of life.