Showing posts with label Maties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maties. Show all posts

Tuesday, 3 June 2025

Interview with BRICS Championship participant South African Sydney Michelle 'KYōi' Wood

Capetonian, Sydney Michelle 'KYōi' Wood, at the BRICS Esports Championships in Moscow, Russia.

On June 1, the BRICS Championship for Sber Prizes, which was held for the third time, ended in Moscow. This year, athletes from 20 countries came to the tournament, and among them was one athlete - Sydney Michelle 'KYōi' Wood from the Republic of South Africa. The press service of the Russian Federation of Electronic Sports did not miss the opportunity to talk to Sydney. Unfortunately, KYōi failed to reach the playoffs of the tournament, but the athlete showed a good result, gained tremendous experience, which will certainly be useful to her in future competitions.

In an interview with Sydney Michelle KYōi, Wood talked about her path in esports, why she chose Tekken, her future plans, and gave advice to girls who are just starting their esports adventure. 

– Tell us about your path in esports. Why did you choose Tekken 8? What hooked you on it? – I liked Tekken since I was a kid, I started playing with the first version. I had a PlayStation 1, which is where it was. Then updates came out, and I played them too. 

– Is this your first time in Russia? How do you like Moscow? Do you have a list of places you would like to visit? – Yes, this is my first time in Russia. To be honest, I don’t have any places I would like to visit. I trust the team manager, who made a list of attractions to visit. He has already been to Russia four times and knows exactly what you should definitely see here. 

– You participated in the group stage of the tournament, but did not make it to the playoffs. What was the most difficult? Share your emotions. – I can say that there were both difficult and easy matches. Of course, the most difficult match was against the three-time winner of the BRICS Championship – Zhoulin XCC Chen. Of course, I am upset that I did not manage to reach the second day of the tournament, but I only started training actively five months ago. I am not discouraged and will continue training to achieve better results. I love the competitive spirit, so I am not discouraged and when I return home I will continue training actively.

– Did you analyze your opponents’ game before the tournament? What do you think you lacked to win? – First of all, experience, which I, of course, have less of than the other guys. When I went, I knew that there would be stronger players in Russia. I didn’t expect to take a prize place. I came first of all for gaming experience, which I got – that’s the most important thing. Before the matches, I didn’t watch my opponents’ games, but when we had training, I played against some of them. I hope that next year I’ll be able to come to the tournament again and show what I’ve learned. 

– Tell me about the process of preparing for the tournament? – I’m on a team, we get together and play a lot together. In my free time, I watch matches of popular Tekken players and try to analyze everything I saw and then apply it myself. Among my favorite streamers, I can highlight Mr. Croft and Silantro. It also happens that I find players online whose level of play is much higher than mine, and I train with them. 

– Does the state and private companies support eSports in South Africa? – Yes, in our country there are opportunities for the development of women's eSports and women in it. But the main problem is finding them (laughs). The state supports, but as for private companies, I can't say for sure.

– What do you do besides eSports? Or is eSports your full-time job?– I have a permanent job, but I would like eSports to become my main income in the future. But for this, I need to train more and harder. In my free time, I like to draw, sing, and shoot content for my social networks (smiles).

– Recently, we have seen that women’s eSports are developing at an incredible speed all over the world. Women’s teams are invited to tier-1 tournaments. Is there a female eSports player who inspires you?– The male scene is certainly better developed at the moment. That is why my selection of players includes more male eSports players than female eSports players. But I can still single out one female eSports player from Japan – Yuyu. I dream of meeting her and playing a match.

– Which Tekken eSports player would you like to meet and play with? – I would like to play against Mr.Croft again, whom I mentioned above. I had experience playing against him, but I would like to play with him again. Besides him, I would like to meet Silnatro, Knee and Arslan.

– Have you ever faced criticism from eSports players that women play much worse?– I have often encountered such statements that there is no place for girls in eSports and that men play much better and more professionally. That is why I often play without a microphone, because if they hear a woman’s voice, they immediately start judging and saying something. I want to say that many male eSports players underestimate women’s eSports and women’s play. We just need more time and practice, and we can easily compete with them. I advise all girls not to pay attention to this, to continue playing and training for their own pleasure. The best thing they can do is to train and train again. Nothing and no one should lead you astray! It is better to focus on yourself and your game. The worst thing they can do is to allow criticism to doubt themselves. 

– How do your parents and relatives feel about you doing eSports? – I live with my grandparents, they are completely okay with me wanting to actively develop in this area. Together with my son, they follow all the competitions where I play and support me very much. 

– Name the top 3 characters in Tekken 8. – Ling Xiaoyu, Lars and Bryan Fury. 

– What are the top 3 places you should definitely visit when you come to South Africa? Your places of power and where you like to spend time. – If you come to South Africa, I strongly advise you to visit the Victoria and Albert Waterfront, the Garden Route National Park and Table Mountain.

The streamed games may be viewed on: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2473351358?filter=archives&sort=time

Republished with kind permission from: https://resf-ru.translate.goog/news/intervyu-s-uchastnicey-chempionata-stran-briks-yuzhnoafrikankoy-sidni-mishel-KYi-vud/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

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Friday, 31 March 2023

5th Provincial Online Student Championships - 6 May 2023

MSSA's 2022 Protea Esports Team has proven itself to be SA's most successful SA team in international competition having won the sum total of 400,000 Rubles.

With Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) having now completed its National Team Trials for its Protea Team for IESF's 15th World Esports Championships to be held in Lasi, Romania, MSSA now turns its attention  to its fifth annual Provincial Online Student Championships to be held on 6 May 2023.

MSSA's 5th Provincial Online Student Championships to be held on 6 May 2023 will be a major qualifying event for any student team selected to represent South africa.

Many will remember that MSSA sent a team across to Russia in 2022 where the DotA and Counter-Strike: GO teams each won 200,000 Rubles each prize money.

Any student of any South African tertiary institution (University and colleges) may participate, regardless of whether the player is MSSA affiliated or not.

However, it should be noted that only official teams entered by University Clubs affiliated to MSSA or the Sports Councils may use the tertiary institution's name.

The championship allows students from all over the country to test their mettle against each other in an official championship that has the following benefits:

  • Enable students to earn Student Provincial Colours, and
  • Qualify for selection for the National Squad (if a Registered Player), and
  • Earn medals. The medals earned are awarded at MSSA's LAN Championships.
The event lasts from 10H00 until 18H00.

All the titles to be played at such event are:

TitlePlatformPlatformAge restrictionPlayers
Shooter
Call of Duty MobilePC/mobile185 v 5
CS GOPC165 v 5
PUBG MobileMobile174 v 4
Sport
FIFA '23Console121 v 1
eFootballConsole121 v 1
Rocket LeaguePC and console121 v 1
Rocket LeaguePC and console123 v 3
Sim racing – Assetto Corsa CompetizionePC121
MOBA
DotA 2PC125 v 5
Clash RoyaleMobil;e121 v 1
Clash of NationsMobile121 v 1
League of LegendsPC125 v 5
Mobile Legends: Bang BangMobile125 v 5
FightingTekken 7Console121 v 1

Details are as follows:
  • Eligibility: Any player/team affiliated to a South African tertiary institution may enter.
  • Entry fee: Entry is R100.00 per Registered Player. To enter, the club must complete the Google Drive document. The entry form may be found on Google Drive. Clubs are to download the entry form, completed the downloaded form, and e-mail it to Mind Sports South Africa. The link for such form is: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_ERR6815uVjSMu4t5KkRxYqGJ_AA88kkz31qRgksASc/edit#gid=287696184
  • Entry date: Entries need to be submitted by no later than Monday, 4 May 2023.
  • Registration: To register, players must complete the entry form.
  • Age restrictions: Age restrictions per game title shall be enforced
When and Where: 

The first round will start at 10H00. Players shall be given 60 minutes to complete each round. 

Rules and Regulations: 

All Rules and Regulations pertaining to eSports are available from MSSA. Players are strongly advised to familiarize themselves with the Bylaws and all Period Specific Rules. If any Player wishes to provide advice regarding the drafting of the Period Specific Rules they are encouraged to contact MSSA who will take all comments into account.

The following Medals may be awarded at MSSA's 2023 Provincial Online Student Championships:
  • MIXED: Medals shall be awarded to the first three players who are currently registered at any officially recognized University.
  • WOMEN: Women will be awarded medals as per the same basis as above.
Colours and National Team Trials:

All Players that win all of their Matches at a Provincial Championship will earn Student Provincial Colours. All Players who score within the top 50% in a specific Period at a Provincial Championship, and who also score within the top 50% at a National Championship in the same period and in the same year, will earn Student Provincial Colours. Registered Players wishing to shout-cast the event, must please contact Marisa van der Westhuizen at: mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com.

For additional information, please contact: mindsportscorrespondence@gmail.com

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Monday, 29 August 2022

MSSA selects its SA Student team to journey to Russia

Johan van Breda will be managing South Africa's Student Esports Team.

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) has accepted an invite from the Russian Esports Federation to enter its SA Student DotA and Counter-Strike: GO teams into a four way test match to be played in the Yota Arena, Moscow Russia from 15 to 17 September 2022.

There will be a total prize fund of 1,500,000 Rubles, which equates to ZAR422,927.33, per game title.

The prize fund is broken down as follows:

1st place ­– 800 000 rubles
2nd place – 400 000 rubles
3rd place – 200 000 rubles
4th place – 100 000 rubles

Since there are only four countries participating, the other four are, Russia, Serbia, and Kazakhstan, it means that all the teams are guaranteed of walking away with a healthy purse.

The trials for the team to journey to Moscow were held at MSSA's annual North West Online Championships. With students from six (6) institutions of higher learning fighting for a place in the team, the standard of play was of the highest standard.

As soon as the championship was over, MSSA swung into action and selected its National Student Esports teams for the Counter-Strike: GO and DotA titles.

The team selected is as follows:

Esports titleName of playerInstitution of higher learning
Counter-Strike: GO
Joshua ChapmanUniversity of Cape Town (UCT)
Simon ZandstraUniversity of Stellenbosch (MATIES)
Sebastian PelaezUniversity of Cape Town (UCT)
Robert ButlerUniversity of Cape Town (UCT)
Armand Pierre van der ColfUniversity of Pretoria (TUKS)
DotA
Christian UysUniversity of Stellenbosch (MATIES)
Lennard KoekemoerUniversity of Pretoria (TUKS)
Nathan BeckUniversity of Pretoria (TUKS)
Suhail KhanUniversity of Pretoria (TUKS)
Tameer ChicktaySWPS Uniwersytet

The team shall be managed by veteran Team Manager - Johan van Breda.

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