KUALA LUMPUR: Gabriel Teo is an inspirational figure in Malaysian esports.
The 19-year-old is hearing impaired and has difficulty with speech but that has not stopped him from pursuing his dream of becoming a professional Mobile Legends: Bang Bang! (MLBB) player.
Gabriel competed in the inaugural season of MLBB Academy League (MAL) Malaysia, which concluded last month. MAL Malaysia is the developmental league for the sport here.
His team, Miracle Gaming, did well to finish third in the regular season and subsequently reached the semi-finals in the playoffs.
The EXP laner is hoping to make it to the MLBB Professional League (MPL) Malaysia - the domestic top flight - one day.
"I felt motivated to face the pro players teams and ex-MPL players (in MAL MY), including those from Todak and HomeBois, they are pretty strong," said Gabriel when met recently.
"I focused on playing with more attention and emphasis on tactics. I am ready to face challenges and (implement) new strategies. We will try harder in MAL Malaysia next season.
"My goal is to become a pro player, possibly in MPL Malaysia.
"I want to become a champion, I won't give up on catching up with the pro players who are stronger than me. One day I will achieve it.
"I want to show my skill level in front of an audience. Although I can't talk nor hear, I want to show that I can beat them.
"Don't give up, no matter how hard it is."
He has solid advice for persons with disabilities who wish to follow in his footsteps.
"Some people may be curious about how I communicate with my teammates," said Gabriel.
"If you are disabled and are talented, all you have to do is type quickly, click request backup, use the awareness map and use quick chat like missing enemy, gather, ganking and so on. Let your teammates know what your next move is.
"As you can see, I am capable of communicating with my teammates in Malaysia or anywhere else.
"Things are not always easy but you just have to keep going and not let the small stuff bog you down. Just keep practising and you will become good."
Gabriel is from Melaka though currently resides in Kajang as he is studying software engineering, focusing on computer games development and virtual reality, at an institute there.
Gabriel's parents Alex, 48, and Vivian, 49, as well as his two sisters Carolyn, 21, and Cassidy, 10, accompanied him to witnessed the MPL Malaysia grand final in Serdang recently.