M
Mr_Pestilence
Guest
Realizing that this site is dedicated to the promotion, discussion and general advancement of casual play, I would nonetheless like to step outside the mission statement and recognize someone from the world of high-level tournament play.
Atlantans in particular should take great pride that we are home to the current #1 rated Magic player in the world - Sol Malka. While his playing skills alone earned him this honor, what makes Sol even more worthy of praise is that he is a helluva nice guy.
The world of Magic tournament play has more than its share of jerks, scoundrels and others you wouldn't whiz upon if their Loti caught fire, but Sol always conducts himself with dignity and class. Even years ago, when I beat him in a sealed deck event due to him being mana-screwed (I guess it really does happen to everybody), he took the loss with the attitude that "Well, that happens sometimes". He complimented my deck, offered a couple of suggestions, and wished me good luck, all of this without any hint of cynicism or insincerity.
So what now?
Personally, I would like to see Sol become something of an ambassador of Magic to the rest of the world. I understand that he can't enter just any ol' sanctioned event featuring Joe-Bob and the Scrubs, but what about non-sanctioned side events? You know, like being at a pre-release or something, taking on all opponents at $5 a pop, and offering deck advice when he pounds you into the floor.
Of course, Sol's time and agenda are his own, so we'll see if something like this happens.
Anyway, a doff of my CPA cap to Sol, and of course best wishes in the future.
Atlantans in particular should take great pride that we are home to the current #1 rated Magic player in the world - Sol Malka. While his playing skills alone earned him this honor, what makes Sol even more worthy of praise is that he is a helluva nice guy.
The world of Magic tournament play has more than its share of jerks, scoundrels and others you wouldn't whiz upon if their Loti caught fire, but Sol always conducts himself with dignity and class. Even years ago, when I beat him in a sealed deck event due to him being mana-screwed (I guess it really does happen to everybody), he took the loss with the attitude that "Well, that happens sometimes". He complimented my deck, offered a couple of suggestions, and wished me good luck, all of this without any hint of cynicism or insincerity.
So what now?
Personally, I would like to see Sol become something of an ambassador of Magic to the rest of the world. I understand that he can't enter just any ol' sanctioned event featuring Joe-Bob and the Scrubs, but what about non-sanctioned side events? You know, like being at a pre-release or something, taking on all opponents at $5 a pop, and offering deck advice when he pounds you into the floor.
Of course, Sol's time and agenda are his own, so we'll see if something like this happens.
Anyway, a doff of my CPA cap to Sol, and of course best wishes in the future.
