The delight on Michiko’s face is evident as she speaks about her victory at the Electronic Sports World Cup Finals 2006 in Singapore. The competition which took place on 26 May, saw Michiko and her team – The Titans - emerge as the Counter Strike 1.6 (Female) Champions. Michiko Makino (the only one in the 5-member team who is from TP) is currently a final year student of the Diploma in Information Technology.

A keen gamer, Michiko started playing Counter Strike when she was in Secondary 2. Two years later she was invited to participate in a competition by GrudgeBringer (GBR) – a well-known local gaming team. She surprised herself and other competitors by winning hands down.

Michiko cites ‘fire power’ (skill) and team work as the two key factors in winning a competition. In an interview before her trip to Paris for the ESWC Grand Finals from 27 June – 4 July, Michiko expressed optimism as well as a great awareness of the formidable competitors that she would be facing.

Good luck, Michiko! We are rooting for you!