Interview with US Champ

Well a few weeks ago i had the chance to interview Zakiah Garcia, the US National Champion. I did the interview for a facebook page i run. So here it is. I hope you enjoy.

Dark
Mind if i get that interview?


Zakiah

Cool and yeah go ahead man


Dark

Ok, so which regional event did you win? And what did you use to win it?


Zakiah
I won the Los Angeles tournament in CA and I used thermal pieces t145 to win and in the world champs I used twisted tempo 145WD so I'm fond with the out of the box beyblades


Dark
So the world championship will be in February right?


Zakiah
Actually March it’s being held on the 25th or the 26th


Dark
What are your plans for this event? And do you realize at the last world championship that the USA won it?


Zakiah
My plan is to take on every opposing blader and win it for the US


Dark
Any idea what you will use?

Zakiah
Not yet still conjuring up ideas.


Dark
Have you been in contact with any of the other National Champs? At the last world championship the Japan Representative was the fan favorite to win. Who do you think is the fan favorite to win?



Zakiah
Not really and most likely the japan representative haha


Dark
What is your opinion on the WBBA organized Game play in the USA? Are you familiar with it in Asia?



Zakiah
Umm it's decent, I actually prefer Asia's rules haha


Dark
What are the differences between the rules?


Zakiah
But I love my US rules haha


Dark
Do you play under the WBO?



Zakiah
Well not much difference I mean the stadiums are different n stuff so it basically all depends on the stadium haha and yes I do I love the tournaments haha



Dark
Have you played in any WBO tournaments?


Zakiah
Haha no I visit them from time to time I'm planning on entering the tournament in January along with Bryson Hill



Dark
Who is Bryson Hill?



Zakiah

My best buddy he helped me in NY I needed combos to use and I called him up and he helped me he has been there every step of the way for me he is a true brother and he has one of the best bey spirits I've seen haa


Dark
In the tournaments did you get to change your combos?



Zakiah
Yes but you only got to use one beyblade each round but yeah I had the option


Dark
What other combos did you use?



Zakiah
I used twisted zurafa ad145WB that got me through the first round then I just used gravity destroyer ad145WD and Twisted tempo 145Wd


Dark
What spin direction was Gravity?



Zakiah

Left and right I switched it up each round



Dark
What kind of combos did you face at the LA regional?



Zakiah

Well simple ones really mostly eagles with ed145 WD for defense



Dark
What did you face at the US Championship?


Zakiah
Well the toughest one was Burn Aquario 145 WD and then the second toughest one was Basalt Bull ad145 Wd



Dark
How did you beat them?



Zakiah
Well I had certain strategies like the sniper shot you aim the beyblade right about where there beyblade will land and when you launch you try and get the first hit haha



Dark
I won my first tournament doing that. What are your future plans for your beyblade career?



Zakiah
My plan is to win at the world champs and become the world’s best



Dark

How do you feel you would stack up to the best in the WBO Kei?


Zakiah

Well I don’t know, I mean I think Kei is cool but I'm always looking for a challenge and Kei will be my greatest opponent I hope I will face him one day



Dark

Are you planning on going to Anime North in Canada in May of 2012?


Zakiah

Actually yes I am I can't wait hopefully I will make it



Dark
They will have one of the biggest Beyblade tournaments at Anime North, I will be going. Do you use any Takara Tomy or SonoKong Beyblades?



Zakiah

Awesome haha hopefully I will see u there and yes I do I have big bang fang Leone phantom Orion and. Well I must go.



Dark
OK this was good, thank you for your time
Nice interview Dark, quite thorough. Cheers.

Somebody knock some MF Basalt Aquario BD145CS into his head. Its legal, and he'll kill Tongue_out

Seriously...

EDIT:... He thinks he can take on KEI?!?!?!

Esta loco
Oh wow, these tournaments must be easy.

"the toughest opponent was burn aquario 145WD"
Zakiah is registered here and might browse this topic, everyone, hah.
Anyway, is he confirmed to be the one representing US? Since apparently, in Indonesia, there are WBBA qualifiers tournaments here for the World Championship. Not sure what's going to happen to the current Asia Champion in Tokyo.
He told me that he doesnt come up here very much.

Uwik Thank you. That means a lot. ON my FB page ive been trying to interview several players in the WBO. Ive actually done several so far. I can do a follow up interview with him if needed.
Yes, he's US' boy.. We need a guy to coach him here for Hasbro... RAIGEKO!!!! Your up Tongue_out
(Jan. 07, 2012  5:21 AM)Uwik Wrote: Anyway, is he confirmed to be the one representing US? Since apparently, in Indonesia, there are WBBA qualifiers tournaments here for the World Championship. Not sure what's going to happen to the current Asia Champion in Tokyo.

I think they are just "second chance" tournaments. For sure, knowing Hasbro's total lack of organized play, Zakiah is assured to be representative of the United States ...
(Jan. 07, 2012  5:24 AM)Kai-V Wrote:
(Jan. 07, 2012  5:21 AM)Uwik Wrote: Anyway, is he confirmed to be the one representing US? Since apparently, in Indonesia, there are WBBA qualifiers tournaments here for the World Championship. Not sure what's going to happen to the current Asia Champion in Tokyo.

I think they are just "second chance" tournaments. For sure, knowing Hasbro's total lack of organized play, Zakiah is assured to be representative of the United States ...

I talked with him and he is confirmed for it. The guy who placed 3rd is completely stuck up. He thinks because he came in 3rd he is the 3rd best in the USA. I had a conversation with him and Zakiah is the best choice of top 3 to represent the USA.
(Jan. 07, 2012  5:23 AM)Jaygrazer Wrote: Yes, he's US' boy.. We need a guy to coach him here for Hasbro... RAIGEKO!!!! Your up Tongue_out

Ive been giving him some pointers. I told him more then Likely MF Basalt kerbecs BD145 CS would win worlds.
Surely, USA will have more than 1 representative right? Zakiah is one. Any news of the others?
(Jan. 07, 2012  5:28 AM)Uwik Wrote: Surely, USA will have more than 1 representative right? Zakiah is one. Any news of the others?

Uh, Europe is just about finished up, same goes for South America.
(Jan. 07, 2012  5:28 AM)Uwik Wrote: Surely, USA will have more than 1 representative right? Zakiah is one. Any news of the others?

Since the4anime, who came second, was not even selected, it does not seem like there will be any other.


The championships are in March too, and a lot of states are bothered by winter for the next few months, so I really doubt that there will be more tournaments to qualify another representative.


Jaygrazer Wrote:Uh, Europe is just about finished up, same goes for South America.

Europe ? Nothing even happened in the United Kingdom.
Wait, tell him MF-H Basalt Aquario BD145CS instead.
(Jan. 07, 2012  5:31 AM)kbuno50 Wrote: Wait, tell him MF-H Basalt Aquario BD145CS instead.

MF-H is illegal in Hasbro. Straight up MF or nada.

EDIT: SO the4anime isn't going?! Man, do you know what he could've done for beyblade?!?!

/raeg
(Jan. 07, 2012  5:26 AM)Dark_Mousy Wrote:
(Jan. 07, 2012  5:24 AM)Kai-V Wrote:
(Jan. 07, 2012  5:21 AM)Uwik Wrote: Anyway, is he confirmed to be the one representing US? Since apparently, in Indonesia, there are WBBA qualifiers tournaments here for the World Championship. Not sure what's going to happen to the current Asia Champion in Tokyo.

I think they are just "second chance" tournaments. For sure, knowing Hasbro's total lack of organized play, Zakiah is assured to be representative of the United States ...

I talked with him and he is confirmed for it. The guy who placed 3rd is completely stuck up. He thinks because he came in 3rd he is the 3rd best in the USA. I had a conversation with him and Zakiah is the best choice of top 3 to represent the USA.
(Jan. 07, 2012  5:23 AM)Jaygrazer Wrote: Yes, he's US' boy.. We need a guy to coach him here for Hasbro... RAIGEKO!!!! Your up Tongue_out

Ive been giving him some pointers. I told him more then Likely MF Basalt kerbecs BD145 CS would win worlds.

A certain user here was claiming to be 3rd best in the USA to me via PM for whatever reason, and telling me he could kick my butt or something (he seemed less focussed on this when I pointed out I live on a different continent). No idea if it's true but he seemed very, very, very proud of winning in a hasbro stadium.

If it is him, then lol.
(Jan. 07, 2012  5:28 AM)Uwik Wrote: Surely, USA will have more than 1 representative right? Zakiah is one. Any news of the others?

I havent found #2, #3 is a stuck up person. He was saying his Hasbro Twisted could easily beat anything i have. But from what i understood Zakiah is the only representative for the USA. If im not mistaking thats how it was at the last world tournament.
Who is the third winner here then ?
Good luck to Zakiah! I hope I get to battle you someday! Maybe at worlds! or AN!
Are you allowed to use Takara beys at worlds too?
(Jan. 07, 2012  5:35 AM)Kai-V Wrote: Who is the third winner here then ?

Bluebomber28
Well, 'more than 1 representative' is not confirmed. But, it really seems to be inclined in that direction, since the Asian Champion is Indonesian, plus we currently have additional tournaments for the World Championship Qualifiers. If I understood Kai-V correctly, there is good chance, that there will be a couple of reps.

USA having only 1 rep is a disadvantage.
(Jan. 07, 2012  5:35 AM)Cookies^^ Wrote: Good luck to Zakiah! I hope I get to battle you someday! Maybe at worlds! or AN!
Are you allowed to use Takara beys at worlds too?

From what ive been told from friends in Asia and other reps its going to be an even playing field. For most world tournaments there is usually a universal ban list. That is what they do for Yugioh ETC. I read they may be using Hasbros max stampede stadium for worlds.
Oh god he actually came third?

Wow.

Yeah, I will attest that it's gone to his head.
hahaha this is cute.
I hope to see him at AN.
(Jan. 07, 2012  5:40 AM)th!nk Wrote: Oh god he actually came third?

Wow.

Yeah, I will attest that it's gone to his head.

He had a huge ego on my FB page. He thought he was all big and bad. It was really hard not to troll him.