Mauro Sasso　Argentina(North America)

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Q1. Could you tell us about how you got into magic, and what impact magic has had on your life so far?

Mauro: Before playing magic I played pokemon, after winning twice the WMCQ decided to change game and thanks to a friend I discovered magic, I already had several friends playing so I was able to quickly get into the competitive environment and change my life. Magic in my life is like a subcarrier parallel to the one I study, so important it is for me.

Q2. Could you tell us about your magic community, and in short about some of the pro players that you respect and interact with?

Mauro: Our magic community is somewhat private, but not bad overall. I am a friend and I respect a lot of sebastian pozzo, as I also admire many pro players that motivated me to improve and try to get to the circuit to play with them.

Sebastian Pozzo

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Q3. Which format is your speciality, and the reasons for why it is?

Mauro: I feel much more confident in constructed, especially in t2. This is because I feel pretty good to read the meta game, and I generate confidence as a deck builder

Q4. Up to this point, what has been the most memorable moment in a game of magic for you?

Mauro: The moment I remember most in magic is the second game of the grand prix final when I won a mirror match of marvel with thopters tokens while I have only ulamogs in hand, since that game also got me to the circuit.

Q5. Do you have any favorite cards or decks you could share with us?

Mauro :My favorite card is 《Cryptic Command》, and a deck that I have eternal love is the caw blade.

Q6. What got you interested in joining the Hareruya Hopes?

Mauro: The possibility of learning from some of the best players in the world.

Q7. What type of activity will you be actively participating as part of the Hareruya Hopes?

Mauro: In as many grand prix and pro tours as possible to play.

Q8. What goals do you have as a magic player going forward?

Mauro: Become a gold or platinum class player consistently across the seasons to keep me on the circuit.

Anthony Lee　Australia(Eurasia)

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Q1. Could you tell us about how you got into magic, and what impact magic has had on your life so far?

Anthony: As with so many people, I was introduced to Magic by a friend. Magic has had a big impact on my life – it’s allowed me to travel to places in the world I wouldn’t otherwise have gone to and allowed me to meet so many great people I wouldn’t otherwise have met.

Q2. Could you tell us about your magic community, and in short about some of the pro players that you respect and interact with?

Anthony: I live in Western Australia, but the community is bigger than you’d expect for such an isolated area – also, it’s very enthusiastic and willing to travel great distances to play! I have had the privilege of working with several pro players before, and they all bring something valuable

Lee Shi Tian

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Andrea Mengucci

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Anthony: Lee Shi Tian’s insight into all matchups and formats, Tomoharu Saito’s development of Draft archetypes, Andrea Mengucci’s discipline and restraint…too many players with too many virtues to name them all!

Q3. Which format is your speciality, and the reasons for why it is?

Anthony: I love Standard the most because of how the format rapidly evolves from week to week and often takes subtle or unexpected directions. I enjoy seeing decks become stronger and develop over time.

Q4. Up to this point, what has been the most memorable moment in a game of magic for you?

Anthony: It was just a game in a small local tournament, not a Grand Prix or Pro Tour, but one time I was on the draw and cast a 《Mutagenic Growth》 on my opponent’s first-turn 《Monastery Swiftspear》 to enable me to cast 《Death's Shadow》 on turn one and won the game with it very soon afterward. There are lots of awesome moments in big events where you win an invitation or other worthy prize, but I’ll only feel that clever once!

Q5. Do you have any favorite cards or decks you could share with us?

Anthony: My favorite deck of all time is the green-based 《Death's Shadow》 deck that exists in Modern right now! It has so many interesting decisions to make and the deck is very powerful yet adaptable. And managing your life total with 《Death's Shadow》 leads to a lot of exciting games played on a knife’s edge!

Q6. What got you interested in joining the Hareruya Hopes?

Anthony: I love what the Hareruya Hopes represent – to me, it’s about being part a very much international group that reflects how well tournament Magic can connect us globally, and a group of players hoping to break through to a higher level of that international competitive scene.

Q7. What type of activity will you be actively participating as part of the Hareruya Hopes?

Anthony: I’ll be travelling to Grands Prix and Pro Tours representing the Hopes, of course, and happy to work with other Hopes around the world as they prepare for events!

Q8. What goals do you have as a magic player going forward?

Anthony: I want to reach at least Silver level in the Pro Players Club! I came as close as possible with 19 points last season… And after that, I hope to one day be Gold level!

Dean Mclaren　Canada(North America)

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Q1. Could you tell us about how you got into magic, and what impact magic has had on your life so far?

Dean: I began playing magic at the age of 13. Since then, my knowledge and expertise in the game has continued to accumulate and grow. Playing Magic is not just a hobby, but a passion. I aim for continuous growth and success in my current and future Magic career.

Q2. Could you tell us about your magic community, and in short about some of the pro players that you respect and interact with?

Dean: My closest contact is my younger brother, Shaun McLaren, who is best known for winning Pro Tour Born of the Gods in 2014. Shaun is just an incredible raw talent and an all round amazing guy. I wouldn’t be half the player I was without his influence and assistance.

Shaun McLaren

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Q3. Which format Is your speciality, and the reasons for why it is?

Dean: My favourite format has always been Modern. I really like trying out and testing with every possible deck, which ends up helping me when I compete as I have better understanding of what to play around and what the key cards in each matchup are.

Q4. Up to this point, what has been the most memorable moment in a game of magic for you?

Dean: My brother Shaun was qualified for Pro Tour Amsterdam in 2010 and a week before the Pro Tour I decided on a whim that I’d book a flight and meet him there. I arrived and won the last chance qualifer that happened to be on my birthday! That was the second Pro Tour I ever competed in and it was amazing.

Q5. Do you have any favorite cards or decks you could share with us?

DeanMy favorite deck in modern was 《Splinter Twin》 until it was banned, and currently my favourite is Lantern Control.

Dean: My Twin list was different in that I would run 《Spellskite》, 《Spreading Seas》, and 《Grim Lavamancer》 in the main deck. My Lantern deck is different in that I always run 4 《Mishra's Bauble》 and 4 《Faithless Looting》.

Dean: My favourite card is 《Reassembling Skeleton》 and I would always force Red Black sacrifice decks in drafts where it was in the set.

Q6. What got you interested in joining the Hareruya Hopes?

Dean: I found out about the Hopes from a friend (Thanks Chantelle!) and wanted to join as I’m making a serious effort to achieve Gold this season and I’d like the teamwork and support.

Q7. What type of activity will you be actively participating as part of the Hareruya Hopes?

Dean: I enjoy working as a team and sharing knowledge. Working together makes everyone stronger. “This was it. Finally, everyone was working together.” – Taylor Hebert

Q8. What goals do you have as a magic player going forward?

DeanThis season my goal is to achieve Gold for the first time so I can attend all the Pro Tours to play against the best in the world. Long term, my ultimate goal is to become a stronger competitor.

Dean: Tsuyoku Naritai!

Matteo Moure　Italy(Europe)

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Q1. Could you tell us about how you got into magic, and what impact magic has had on your life so far?

Matteo: I was 12 and attended a store where everyone played magic while I was playing another game that had much less followed.

Q2. Could you tell us about your magic community, and in short about some of the pro players that you respect and interact with?

Matteo: I play in one of the best and biggest Italian stores (Galactus) that is attended by the best Italian players like Alessandro Portaro and Marco Cammilluzzi from whom I learned a lot.

Alessandro Portaro

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Marco Cammilluzzi

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Q3. Which format is your speciality, and the reasons for why it is?

MatteoMy specialty is limited because it is the format that I like the most and so what I’ve played most (especially on mtgo), I also play standard because I have all the cards on MTGO and now I’m starting to get closer to the modern though I do not really like it

Q4. Up to this point, what has been the most memorable moment in a game of magic for you?

MatteoDefinitely my first Top8 at GP London 2015 … It was one of my first GPs and I started the tournament with zero byes … That top8 also meant my first qualifying at the PT and I was really too happy

Q5. Do you have any favorite cards or decks you could share with us?

Matteo: This was by far the deck that i most loved in my MTG experience.

Q6. What got you interested in joining the Hareruya Hopes?

Matteo: I wanted to join one of the teams I think best organized and to which many great players and friends belong

Q7. What type of activity will you be actively participating as part of the Hareruya Hopes?

Matteo: As Gold I will attend all the PTs of this season and many GPs

Q8. What goals do you have as a magic player going forward?

Matteo: My upcoming goals are to be the captain of my nation, play in the Player’s Championship and reach the Platinum level

Kazutaka Naide　Japan(Asia)

Q1. Could you tell us about how you got into magic, and what impact magic has had on your life so far?

Naide: While tackling TCG (Trading Card Game)s as competitive ones, It all started with a feeling of a satisfaction I got from Magic. Magic has many high level tournaments, and the rules are established well including judges so it’s comfortable for me to try. What the most impressive moment is when I acquired qualify of “Super Sunday Series” in the preliminary contest. I can remember it well because I have never won the top of a tournament except that time. I want to get the taste again at a better, high stage.

Q2. Could you tell us about your magic community, and in short about some of the pro players that you respect and interact with?

Naide: I owe many people, especially Hama-san from Hamaya. As for the relationship among Hareruya Hopes member, we often exchange our opinions with Ryosuke Urase and Shin’ya Saito. On top of that, I’m thankfully participating with draft training camp started from Aether Revolt at “Kyosen tei” every time.

Q3. Which format is your speciality, and the reasons for why it is?

Naide: I record higher winning percentage in modern and legacy. Since older formats have much stronger non-creature spells, I guess my knowledges and skills cultivated in other TCGs are utilized for the formats. On the other hand, I have a hard time dealing with a difficult combat calculation which is a unique point of standard and limited that Magic has.

Q4. Up to this point, what has been the most memorable moment in a game of magic for you?

Naide: The most impressive match ever is that I dueled with Matsuda Yukio, the current modern god, at the quarter final of the third standard god tournament I participated in the beginning I started Magic. It was the first tournament I ranked as one of the top eight, having interview of text coverage. It is still clear in me that I lost in a very frustrated way due to my elementary mistake which pros never make.

Q5. Do you have any favorite cards or decks you could share with us?

Naide: Although there are no special cards in particular, I can mention a card called 《Chandra, Torch of Defiance》. She’s not heavy to cast, and has various choices. I likecards like her.

Naide: I tend to go with decks which have the “daring winning pattern”. I like decks which I can handle actively, and have “easy win”. On the contrary, I avoid to go with decks which tend to be passive.

Q6. What got you interested in joining the Hareruya Hopes?

Naide: I haven’t produced any big results, however, since I had participated to grand prix seventeen times so I fulfilled a requirement of “over 10 pro points”. Coincidently it was the same requirement for the bronze level, and I was fortunate to have a big favor.

Q7. What type of activity will you be actively participating as part of the Hareruya Hopes?

Naide: I think I have to deserve everyone’s support. Moreover, it would be nice if I could be friends with more players with this opportunity.

Q8. What goals do you have as a magic player going forward?

Naide: Needless to say, the top of the world.

Evan Petre　America(North America)

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Q1. Could you tell us about how you got into magic, and what impact magic has had on your life so far?

Evan: I got into Magic because my older brother and his friends played when I was a kid and it was a great way to be included. Magic has had a great impact on who my close friends are. Playing and traveling for magic dominates my spare time.

Q2. Could you tell us about your magic community, and in short about some of the pro players that you respect and interact with?

Evan: I play magic in the area of New York just above NYC, it’s a great scene if you’re a fan of draft or standard! Being from New York I really look up to the local pros like Reid Duke and Christian Calcano for being great players and excellent role models who we should try to be like as pro tour players.

Reid Duke

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Christian Calcano

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Q3. Which format is your speciality, and the reasons for why it is?

Evan: While I can play all of the formats fairly well (even momir basic) I would say booster draft is my specialty. I think my card evaluation is pretty good and I know how to make the most out of underpowered cards and synergies.

Q4. Up to this point, what has been the most memorable moment in a game of magic for you?

Evan: My most memorable moment was of course the top 8 of gp Pittsburgh 2016. I played alot of tight games against great players, a great memory for me as I came out on top. It’s only a shame that there was no video coverage.

Q5. Do you have any favorite cards or decks you could share with us?

Evan: My favorite deck was modern Blue Red 《Splinter Twin》 before it got banned, the deck was very fun to play and there was alot going on when you didn’t just win on turn 4.

Q6. What got you interested in joining the Hareruya Hopes?

Evan: I saw the posts for the open application shared on Twitter. I have always liked the Hareruya Pros and I typically bought my last minute cards at gps from the Hareruya booth so I thought it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

Q7. What type of activity will you be actively participating as part of the Hareruya Hopes?

Evan: I will look to be see as a rising star in the Magic competitive scene, and hope to be a good role model to other hopefuls as I represent Hareruya as one of the Hopes!

Q8. What goals do you have as a magic player going forward?

Evan: I would love to be able to attend all 4 pro tours this year and hit the gold pro club level. I also want to be seen as one of the foremost up and coming members of the Magic pro tour.