While a player with that caliber need not much introduction, there’s still a number of people out there who is not familiar with Joe, as he’s not the outspoken and vocal type and normally just “silently” crushes you on the playing table. As always, the following script is completely from my own perspective and has no intention to cause any harm, pain, illwill, distress whatsoever to any of the parties mentioned. Let’s go!
Competitor name: Joe Soh
Profession: Business Owner
Age: 27
Qualification method: 2nd Place Grand Prix Kobe 2015
My guess of his favourite card: Anything tempo
During the early days in Malaysian Magic between 2000 to 2004, there was clear distinction of talent in the game at that time. Some players, regardless of age, was clearly ahead of the game compared to others, and they demonstrated abilities to outthink and outplay nine of out ten competitors in Malaysia. Joe Soh was one of them and it was during my own glory days in 2003 when I first met with Joe. He was 14 going on 15 and we were competing for the right to represent the country in Malaysia’s annual National Championships.
Joe was sporting the latest Red White Astral Slide, the latest take on Aggro-Control, and Joe easily tore his way through the swiss and into the top 8. But the Astral Slide deck had one mortal enemy – Upheaval. And that was what my team and I brought to the table for that year’s Nationals. I myself maneuvered my way to the top 8 and into the semi finals. Joe had moved on into the championship round and I felt I was the only one who could put a stop into this amazing kid’s run. But I fell one short and lost in the semis in a nail biting match that saw the match decided by a single Compulsion. Joe proceeded to demolish his finals opponent and became the youngest Malaysian National Champion.
In that same year, Joe tore through the World Championships in Berlin, Germany as one of the games youngest competitors. But young age does come with its disadvantages, as the experience in many of the known professionals at that time buried Joe and placed him out of the Top 8. Joe however, would continue to grow (both age and game) and battled many more glorious battles with Terry by his side. The brothers also went as high as 11th in Pro Tour San Diego (Team Limited).
Fast-forwarding to current events – 2014 Grand Prix Taipei was Joe’s first breakout in the Grand Prix scene making it to the top 8. Coverage here:
http://vmtgstore.blogspot.my/search/label/Grand%20Prix%20Taipei%202014
He finished the season strong as well by capturing the final slot in the 2014 WMCQ with his own Jund brew (for Standard!) and was the final piece of experience the young Malaysian team needed for their 2014 World Magic Cup run. Joe and crew didn’t disappoint as the team went unscathed in Day One of play – surprising everyone and perhaps Joe himself.
Though the team didn’t progress further than that, but that accomplishment set the tone coming into 2015 and Joe was expected to continue his hot run. He came close once against in Grand Prix Chiba in May but fell a match short. The 2015 WMCQ season was not kind to him so he wanted to close out the year with one more final attempt at Grand Prix Kobe.
Alone without support, Joe and his BW warriors deck navigated through a field of Abzan and almost got all the way to the end before a luck-sacked Artaka Red player stopped Joe in his tracks and he was forced to “settle” for second place. The achievement was good enough for a return trip to the Pro Tour but its Modern season and with the format being shaken up with latest ban of Splinter Twin and Summer Bloom, who knows what’s ahead? All we know is that Joe will have Malaysia’s finest behind him, helping him prepare to once again get Malaysia on the map!
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