As the 2019 League of Legends global finals champion, 24-year-old Liu Qingsong (match ID: Crisp) joined the BLG team this season, turning a new page in his career.
New environment, new teammates.
But Liu Qingsong's desire to win has not changed.
In the spring split that ended earlier, although the BLG team made it to the playoffs, it was regrettable that they stopped in the second round.
The upcoming summer game will determine whether Liu Qingsong and his teammates can be on the stage of the world game in the golden autumn season.
Recently, Liu Qingsong accepted an exclusive interview with China-Singapore Sports.
After becoming a world champion, Liu Qingsong also experienced a period of lack of motivation.
But his current state of mind is the same as it was in 2019.
Since becoming a professional player, he thinks he has gained valuable life experience, and he also regrets not being able to enjoy his college time.
# champion #
China-Singapore Sports: The BLG team is preparing for the summer game. How are you and the team doing now? What are your goals for the summer split?
Liu Qingsong: Everyone is still adjusting their status, hoping to get out of the mistakes in the spring split and avoid making similar mistakes in the future.
The team has an overall goal and framework. Everyone strives to improve and progress in this direction. There is still a lot of room for improvement in my own state.
The goal of the summer split is to enter the top four, and I hope the BLG team can go to the world championship.
Zhongxin Sports: You once said that you want to win another world championship. For you, how do you motivate yourself to keep fighting and self-discipline after taking the top honor?
Liu Qingsong: In my opinion, this requires regaining the old mentality and motivation to win, so that I can always be full of enthusiasm.
In 2019, Liu Qingsong won the League of Legends global finals championship with the FPX team.
Image source: League of Legends official blog
China-Singapore Sports: From winning the championship in 2019 to the present, have you been unable to find this kind of motivation?
Liu Qingsong: Maybe after becoming the world champion, there was a short period of time when I didn't feel much about winning or losing the game, and the feeling of wanting to win was not as strong as before.
Fortunately, the motivation to win the game was quickly regained.
I feel like I'm in the same mentality as I was in 2019, I really want to win.
China-Singapore Sports: On Mother's Day, you posted a screenshot of your conversation with your mother on Weibo, and everyone learned that you haven't been home for a long time. Have you been in this state since you started working?
Liu Qingsong: In the past, I basically went home for the New Year.
In the past two years, because of the epidemic, I haven't gone home for the New Year, and I still have some discomfort.
Before this year, my mother had also been concerned about whether I could go home.
After learning that I couldn't go back, she mailed a lot of my favorite hometown (Hunan) food, as well as my favorite dishes when I go home.
Liu Qingsong.
Photo courtesy of BLG Club.
China-Singapore Sports: What is your family's attitude towards you playing professionally?
Liu Qingsong: Before I entered the professional environment, my family was a little worried about it.
But since I started pro, they have supported me and respected every decision I made.
#Gaming#
China-Singapore Sports: After choosing the path of e-sports, did you feel any difficulty? Do you feel bored from day-to-day training?
Liu Qingsong: When I first entered the professional circle, as a rookie, I didn't have many opportunities to play, let alone my achievements.
But anyway, I never thought about giving up.
Gaming is what I want to do.
I think if you want to do it, you must do it well until you are satisfied.
Training actually has its fun.
Playing against different players every day will give you a different experience, and you can learn their strengths from them.
Everyday training is the equivalent of filling in the gaps—examining what you don’t do well, and then learning from what others are doing well.
Liu Qingsong.
Photo courtesy of BLG Club.
Zhongxin Sports: Since your debut, what do you think you have gained and what have you lost?
Liu Qingsong:
In my opinion, my harvest is more about experience and mentality.
Over the years, I have encountered many things, met many people, and encountered many problems.
Even if he is no longer a professional player in the future, if he encounters a similar situation, he knows how to deal with it.
As for the loss, that is, I have not experienced college time, and I also lack some hobbies outside the game.
However, I learned something new at each stage and kept improving.
Zhongxin Sports: You have turned your hobby into a career, will your initial enthusiasm be wiped out?
Liu Qingsong: There is indeed a period of burnout, which will make you lose some enthusiasm. At this time, you need new motivation.
I will convince myself, find new goals, and renew my fighting spirit.
For me, this is relatively simple.
China-Singapore Sports: After experiencing the troughs and peaks, after many years in the e-sports industry, can you still enjoy it?
Liu Qingsong: Yes.
I think it would be interesting to get back to the top.
I'm not sure when I'll be able to do it, but I'll keep working towards it.
Liu Qingsong.
Photo courtesy of BLG Club.
#Asian Games#
China-Singapore Sports: As a practitioner, how do you think e-sports has become an official event of the Asian Games?
Liu Qingsong: The e-sports industry may be recognized by more and more people.
I can feel that our efforts are being seen by everyone, and e-sports is becoming more and more positive.
The Chinese team of the League of Legends performance project at the Jakarta Asian Games stood on the top podium.
Image credit: Osports All Sports Photo Agency
China-Singapore Sports: In your opinion, what changes have occurred in China's e-sports environment in recent years?
Liu Qingsong: The whole industry is becoming more and more professional.
In terms of player personal development, team life security, and coaching team formation, they have done more and more standardization.
Industry rules and regulations are also improving day by day, and players also have channels to protect their rights.
At the same time, the type of competition is also more complete, and the current venue facilities and packaging are well done.
China-Singapore Sports: Has the social recognition of e-sports players improved in recent years?
Liu Qingsong: I think that more and more people are gradually recognizing us, and the e-sports industry also has a standardized system to restrain us.
After the social recognition is improved, we should pass on the spirit of hard work and bring spiritual satisfaction and happiness to everyone.
China-Singapore Sports: Many people are still worried that young people are easily negatively affected by e-sports. What do you have to say to those teenagers with "e-sports dreams"?
Liu Qingsong: In my opinion, whether you are engaged in e-sports or other industries, you should do it after careful consideration and determination, not just for fun.
If you decide to do something, do it well.
(Reporter Wang Hao)