Rapture Gaming Network

Singapore’s FIFA CUP 1 Champion: Erwyn Shah ‘el rey’ Daniyal

406 times Written by: Reuben Soh on 2012-03-22

Roberto Mancini may be on course to win the Barclays Premier League for Man City but Erwyn Shah Daniyal, also known as “El rey”, has done one better, he’s won the FIFA CUP #1 with none other than his team of choice, Manchester City. He may only still be just shy of 16 years of age but Erwyn has already made headlines within the local FIFA eSports community by taking home top honors at the inaugural FIFA Cup #1, held at Tough Cookie, Parklane Mall, on the 26th of February this year.

Erwyn Shah Daniyal ‘El rey’ (left) – FIFA CUP #1 Champion

“I’ve been playing it (FIFA) for a year and a half now,” explains an elated El rey, “I love football games and my first FIFA game was FIFA 11.” It has certainly been the case of ‘starting out young’ for the FIFA Cup champion as he was inducted into a youth gaming programme run by his clan, Flash e-Sports, which put him through rigorous training sessions in preparation for major egaming tournaments. But experience and confidence didn’t come easy for Erwyn, “When I first got FIFA on my PS3, there was a free sign-up tournament by Sony and I decided to join. But it didn’t go really well and I went out in the second round.”

Not to be disappointed this time round, Erwyn, who turns 16 this September, has been training long and hard against opponents online since he purchased FIFA 12 at launch late last year. “The FIFA Cup #1 was the very first tournament that I was confident in winning. By training with the youth academy and online, I felt more confident. I play my best with encouragement from my supporters and fans,” he says spotting a wide grin.

For those who following the competition will remember El rey as having comprehensively swept his opponents aside in the initial stages of the tournament—winning 8-1 and 6-0 in the first two games. However, to say that the champion never had his doubts would be an overstatement. “I had great games in the first two rounds, but after that it got tougher. I prayed and told myself that I couldn’t go home after coming so far. I was kinda nervous, but each win brought me more confidence.”

El rey at the first round match of FIFA CUP #1

The FIFA wizard, who also happens to be a soccer player in real life, has set high expectations for himself as a result of the win, “I’m going to go out and earn more medals for myself this year!”

“I just want to say thank you to everyone who organized the FIFA CUP. The commentators were great and funny though they called me ‘abes’ when it was supposed to be ‘El Rey’,” Erwyn laughs, “when they finally got it right in the finals the spelling wasn’t! But it wasn’t important, I had a great time that day and I would like to thank all my fans at home!”

From left to right: Dinesh Nankani (1st runner-up), El rey (Champion),
and Wen Jun Chiang (2nd runner-up)

The FIFA CUP #2, the follow up to the community success FIFA cup #1, is scheduled for a March 25th 2012 play-date and eager fans of the reigning champ can expect more footballing finesse from El rey who is confident of retaining his crown. “There’s one player I hope to compete again that would be Kim Leong. I played him in the quarter finals of the FIFA Cup #1 and it was one of the best games I’ve played in so far!”

For more information on Erwyn Shah “El rey”, visit his Facebook Fanpage. As for more information on the FIFA Cup #1 and future tournaments, head on down to the FIFA CUP Facebook Fanpage or Facebook Group.