Lee Young-ho, also known as ‘The Ultimate Weapon,’ secured his spot in the finals by defeating Lee Jae-ho with a convincing 4-0 victory. The semifinals took place at the FreecUp Studio in Daechi-dong, Seoul, during the Google Play ASL Season 21. Lee Young-ho’s performance was exceptional, surpassing expectations of a close match. He mentioned that he has regained more than 90% of his former skill and is determined to face Park Sang-hyun in the upcoming finals. Below is an exclusive interview with Lee Young-ho following his advancement to the finals.
Q: How do you feel about reaching the finals after beating Lee Jae-ho 4-0?
A: I am thrilled to make it to the finals after six years. I was expecting a tough competition, so I am pleasantly surprised by how smoothly it went. I believe my performance has significantly improved.
Q: It seems like today’s series can be summarized as ‘overwhelming optimization.’ Was that your main focus?
A: Yes, I focused on seizing control early on with aggressive strategies and gaining an edge in the late game with tactics like ‘greedy’ double expansions. I pushed myself to the limit in optimizing my gameplay. Additionally, I delayed scouting in the Terran vs. Terran matchups to great success.
Q: Your performance in Game 1 on Attitude was flawless, especially with the 5-Vulture timing attack and 4-Factory Goliath transition.
A: Attitude is a map with short distances between bases. I had planned to defend against counter-attacks, and everything unfolded according to my strategy.
Q: Looking ahead, you will be facing Park Sang-hyun in the finals. What are your thoughts on this matchup?
A: I have had setbacks against Zerg players in important matches in the past. I need to learn from those experiences and prepare diligently. With about two weeks remaining, I intend to take a break from gaming for a week.
Q: How do you assess your final opponent, Park Sang-hyun?
A: If I emerge victorious, I anticipate a score of 4-2 or 4-3. Park Sang-hyun is a formidable player with excellent optimization skills. However, I believe I have demonstrated superior form in the late stages of the game.
Q: This is your first final in a long time. Any final remarks?
A: I am thrilled about the outdoor final after six years. If many fans attend, I will strive to deliver an outstanding performance to show my appreciation.