<img src="/images/wcg2006/wcg_esr_q4_preview4B_coolle.png">

Q4 GGL World Rank : 1
Q4 Prize Money : $33,585

Results

2006 Quakecon : 2nd
2006 ESWC : 4th
2006 WSVG Dreamhack : 1st
2006 Asus Spring Cup : 1st
2006 Vsports All Stars : 2nd
2006 Giga Games Russia : 2nd
2006 Transatlantic Showdown : 2nd
2006 Asus Winter Cup : 1st
2005 CPL Winter : 1st
2005 Cyber Blizzard : 1st
2005 Asus Autumn Cup : 1st

With 6 tournament wins, 4 second places and a 4th as his lowest finish, Cooller is still regarded as the number one Quake 4 dueller on the planet by many. The only real, consistent challenge to his crown in 2006 has come from Toxic who beat him at the Vsports All Stars and more recently at Quakecon.

It is not in dispute that the Russian is a classy player who plays smart, has great tactics and more often than not is considered the man to beat at any event he attends. The cracks have started to appear in the last couple of months however. Not only has he lost to Toxic, but also to Socrates at TAS and to Cypher in both the Kode5 Russian tournament and the Giga Games tournament. His lowly (by his high standards) 4th place at ESWC (losing to Forever) must be seen as his low point of the year, but put in perspective, that’s hardly a terrible tournament result.

He is no longer the new kid on the block (that title is being fought over by Cypher and av3k) and is now considered one of the “old school” players who has achieved a lot already, but can still achieve much more. With this maturity, inevitably comes other things to think about away from gaming and if his ever growing physique is anything to go by, Anton has found a new passion. Despite this, he still dedicates himself to practice (although only a couple of days before a tournament, if he is to be believed) and usually (other than TAS) comes into a tournament fully prepared.

Whilst Toxic may have the edge lately, Cooller is still the most consistent high finisher in Quake 4, but he must be starting to look over his shoulder, not only at Toxic, but at the young stars that are getting very, very close indeed.

He MUST attend WCG, it would be unthinkable for him not to be there, so make sure he is in your vote.