Benedikt Adam is one of the 20 esports talents sponsored by Deutsche Bahn. He beat other talents at the DB Esports Talent Summit and has been receiving comprehensive support from the esports player foundation (epf) since December. He plays Valorant and currently competes in the third-highest DACH league. In this interview, he provides insights into the start of the 2024 season and gives advice to young talents who want to follow the same path.
Question: Hello Benedikt, please describe yourself in 3 words.
Answer: I see myself as a calm and determined person with good people skills. I always want to get the best out of others.
Question: You are Valorant Talent. Could you please tell us which team you are currently playing for and how your development is progressing?
Answer: I’m currently still playing for the Pandamonium mix team, which changed its name to Project V after the calibration tournament. I’m getting better every day, mainly thanks to the supportive team environment and intensive coaching sessions with my coach yaboimo.
Question: What are your first experiences with your new team? And where should the journey take you?
Answer: I’m really impressed with my new team. In my opinion, all the players are at the same level and, above all, it is crucial for me that we all have the same goal in mind. Our journey should lead us towards the Split Finals and then we want to achieve promotion to the highest DACH division (Valorant Challengers DACH: Evolution).
Question: How does Deutsche Bahn support your esports talent and promote your skills?
Answer: First of all, I would like to thank Deutsche Bahn, which supports esports talent like no other employer in Germany. Through the scholarship, Deutsche Bahn enables me to pursue and develop my personal passion in esports. Although this is considered more of a private activity, Deutsche Bahn recognizes the value and importance of this field. My goal is to successfully complete my training at Deutsche Bahn while pursuing a professional career in esports.
Question: Could you tell us about a particularly challenging situation in which you were forced to go beyond your limits in order to achieve your goals both in esports and at Deutsche Bahn?
Answer: My biggest challenge so far was the DB Esports Talent Summit in November. A total of 50 talents took part in this selection camp, competing for 20 scholarship places. Although the atmosphere was very informal, I was very excited. It was my first offline event and I was forced to show my best in front of the EPF coaches and scouts. As the selection camp progressed, I got more and more comfortable with the “new” situation and in the end I was lucky enough to get a scholarship, which rewarded my hard work.
Question: What advice would you give to other young people who are interested in combining esports and vocational training at Deutsche Bahn?
Answer: I think the most important thing is to make a structured plan of how you want to tackle this challenge, as it can be very time-consuming and above all exhausting to maintain both in the long term. Never let others tell you that you can’t do something like this. Believe in yourself and show everyone what you can do.