Kings Return to the World Championship XXVI
Javier Dominguez, A player representing Spain. Having over 10 Grand Prix Top 8 including 2 wins on his resume, he was always one step away from top 8ing the Pro Tour. Especially at Pro Tour Battle for Zendikar and Pro Tour Hour of Devastation, he placed 9th in both events.
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He started to show changes in his results at World Championship 2017 where he lost to William Jensen coming in as a finalist. After the event, he was able to make the Top 8 at Pro Tour Rivals of Ixalan and went off winning the Magic World Championship 2018.
In 2019, he was in the Top 8 of 3 Mythic Championships including his triumph in Mythic Championship V. As a Mythic Championship V winner and a World Champion of 2018, he is one of the top contenders of the game of Magic.
The king of Magic challenges the World Championship XXVI.
《Glory Seeker》
――In an interview before, you mentioned that to become a top tier player, you will need further learning about the game. You also mentioned that you did not know if there was a difference between a great player and the world’s finest players at one period of time.
“I think I am good enough now to win tournaments, but I also think I’m worse than the very best. I can see it while practicing with them or studying their replays.”
――We think you are now one of the world’s finest players but what do you think about yourself? Do you have confidence that you are one of the finest? If so, what are the next goals you aim for?
“However, that also means I still have a lot to learn, and that’s very exciting! My goal is still the best version of myself while enjoying the journey.”
Just a Guy That Likes to Play Magic
――Winning the Magic World Championship, Mythic Championship, and also the team series, you have won many major titles these coming years. Did anything change in your environment or lifestyle?
“It really didn’t change much. I’m still myself, a guy who likes to play Magic. Winning a Mythic Championship or becoming a World Champion won’t change a thing.”
Who to look out to in the World Championship XXVI
――Including you, the world’s finest players are gathering at the World Championship XXVI. Is there any player you would like to mention to watch out for?
“I think every single competitor in this tournament has a fine chance of winning. Among all of them, I’d keep a special eye on Marcio, Seth, and Paulo Vitor, probably the best players in the world.”
World Top 4 players
Just like I said 🙂
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《Bloodshot Trainee》
――We hear you spend a lot of time practicing. Do you make an environment such as turning off your cell phone, or TV’s around you to make you focus during your practices? (like turning off your phone, no TV, etc.)
“It really depends. For me, there are two kinds of practices. If I’m just playing to see interactions and get touch with the cards or the format, or trying to “muscle”, I don’t mind having other stuff going on.”
“However, if I’m trying to really dive into a format or a matchup, I just remove everything else and just focus on the game itself.”
How a King Stands
Some days playing cards can be really rough, but I’m glad it’s over now. Thanks everyone for the support and gl @KbolMagic !!!! #MTGworlds
— Javier Domínguez "Thalai" (@JavierDmagic) February 15, 2020
What an unpredictable start of the World Championship it was. His name would not be able to be found on the 2nd-day players.
He faced this tournament as a defending champion, and the commentators all were mentioning that he was under huge pressure. Whatever success one has made down the road, we all hope for the same results. We cannot imagine what players go through since we only see their glorious moments.
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Even he left the tournament on the first day, He was himself, rooting and supporting his close friend Marcio as he proceeded to the finals against Paulo Vitor Damo Da Rossa. Where Marcio was under tremendous pressure during his matches, Javier was beside Marcio to support him mentally.
Javier mentions time to time, “Tournament results are not the only way to evaluate how hard you worked“. As he ended his tournament, he quickly found what he can do at the moment, which was to support Marcio.
The title of the World Champion is a tremendous accomplishment though not a way to determine the personality of the player. Seeing Javier act was seeing a true king in him.
This tournament was unfortunate for him for how his results ended up, though we may see him rise back as the king of the tournament.
