World Cyber Games Crowns Canadian Champions

By Paul Hunter

If you recall, this year's Fan Expo played host to the 2009 World Cyber Games Canadian National Finals. Wow that was a mouthful. Anyhow, the WCG announced late last month that they have crowned their Canadian champions. The winning pro-gamers have secured coveted spots on Team Canada and will represent the country at the World Cyber Games Grand Final.

You know, I think it's about time that we regard pro-gamers like their athletic counterparts, and I mean that earnestly. I've been following the pro-gaming scene for the better part of two years now and I can certainly testify that a tremendous amount of effort and dedication goes into each competition. Just because these cyber athletes use a controller as their tool of the trade doesn't mean it takes any less work than athletes that wield a baseball bat or a hockey stick.

My guess is the lack of media coverage is partly to blame, which I suppose is where we come in. So, here are your 2009 WCG Canadian Champions:

FIFA Soccer 2009 Canadian Champion:
Matt Wood (Windsor, ON)

Guitar Hero: World Tour Canadian Champion:

Daniel Piacampo (Woodbridge, ON)

Virtua Fighter 5 Canadian Champion:

Owen Lewis (Burlington, ON)

Counter-Strike 1.6 Canadian Champions:
"Team Blight": Garett Bambrough (Stouffville, ON), Scott Bishop (Delta, BC), Jamie Cross (Kelowna, BC), Kory Friesen (Abbotsford, BC), Brennan Webster (Vancouver, BC)

Canada's reigning Guitar Hero Canadian champion, Daniel Piacampo, had this to say:

"It’s hard to believe that playing Guitar Hero through WCG has given me the opportunity to travel to Germany and now China. I look forward to competing against other players from around the world and I’m grateful to sponsors like Samsung who make this competition possible."

All 8 members of Team Canada will be off to compete against the world's best at the WCG Grand Final in Chengdu, China, from November 11-15, 2009.