At the age of 18, Xviour “Xavvsz” Johnny arrived in Kuala Lumpur from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, with only RM10 in his pocket, determined to pursue his esports career with a team in the city. Despite his humble beginnings, he was confident and saw this as an opportunity to change his life. Johnny, who considers himself poor, had previously saved his lunch money during secondary school to play Dota 2 at cybercafes.
During his school days, Johnny would save extra cash to play Dota 2 at cybercafes and participated in competitions, winning cash prizes that helped support his family. When Covid-19 hit and lockdowns prevented him from playing Dota 2, Johnny shifted his focus to playing Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, competing in minor MLBB tournaments in Sabah and gaining recognition in the local esports scene.
Despite facing challenges, including initial tournament setbacks and financial struggles, Johnny was determined to succeed. He formed a team, secured a sponsor, and won several tournaments in Sabah, including a significant victory where they earned RM1,500 as a team. However, a promising opportunity in Kuala Lumpur turned out to be a scam, leaving Johnny on his own in the city.
Undeterred by the setback, Johnny continued participating in MLBB tournaments and, in October 2022, his team, Team Freakout My, won the MLBB Next Star tournament, claiming RM15,000 in prize money. With a new sponsor, the team qualified for MPL Malaysia Season 11 as Madness Esports, finishing in 8th place and securing prize money. Unfortunately, the team faced another setback when they were not paid as promised.
Feeling disillusioned, Johnny decided to leave the esports team and return home. Despite doubts from family and friends, he saw a new opportunity when the Negri Sembilan Esports Association approached him and his former teammates to join team MPX NSEA, now known as Niners. With reassurances of proper support and accommodation, Johnny and his team competed in MPL Malaysia Season 12, making a strong debut and finishing in 7th place.
During the tournament, Johnny revealed his eye condition, competing with a lazy eye and relying solely on his right eye for sight. Despite the challenges, he remained determined and aimed to perform even better in the upcoming MPL Malaysia Season 13. Johnny hopes to strengthen team chemistry and deliver better results for fans in Negri Sembilan, who have shown unwavering support.
As he continues training and preparing for future competitions, Johnny encourages aspiring esports players to persevere and remain focused on their goals. Despite facing adversity and setbacks, he believes that with determination and dedication, anyone can overcome obstacles and achieve success in the rapidly growing field of esports.
