Singaporean Wins Silver Medal Playing Starcraft II In SEA Games Esports
Thomas Kopankiewicz, also known as Blysk, has won Singapore’s first silver medal in esports in real-time strategy game Starcraft II at the SEA Games after losing 4-1 to Filipino Caviar “EnDerr” Acampado on 10 Dec (Tues).
The Singaporean had battled his way through the losers’ bracket to reach the final.
Had to overcome various citizenship hurdles to reach the Philippines
Kopankiewicz came to Singapore at age 4 and has done National Service. However, he wasn’t a Singapore citizen – yet.
In an interview with CNA, he related the arduous journey of obtaining his Singapore citizenship this year, including travelling to Berlin to renounce his German passport.
To take part in the SEA Games, he had to become a Singapore citizen.
Thomas at the SEA Games Qualifiers in May
But even after qualifying, his name wasn’t included in the squad heading to the SEA Games.
Thanks to his team Resurgence and the Singapore Esports Association, Thomas’s appeal was finally approved and he managed to make it to the Philippines to compete.
Singaporeans can be proud of Thomas’ accomplishment
Even though it’s only a silver medal, the road to the podium has been fraught with difficulties.
Thomas, however, has overcome all these difficulties to stand on the podium today, representing the country that he’s spent his life in.
Featured image adapted from an MS News reader and Umehara Keiji.
