A drug bust in Ostróda, Poland, has implicated a “world champion in computer games,” according to a report from the Ostróda police. Four men have been arrested for possession of nearly $1 million in illegal goods.
That champion is like likely 23-year-old Maciej “av3k” Krzykowski, the prodigy who became the youngest player to ever win a Quake championship in 2007 by winning the Electronic Sports World Cup at the age of 16. Krzykowski lives in Ostróda and a tweet from a community manager at Razer—the company that sponsored Krzykowski for much of his career—tabbed him as the gamer in question.
Former Quake pro Av3k caught with 5kg of weed, 1.5kg of amphetamine, guns and ammo http://t.co/Z0RKWtYDp6
— SombreroGG (@SombreroGG) March 6, 2015
Another source confirmed to the Daily Dot that Krzykowski was in fact connected, though as the report indicates, should he be the gamer in question, he wasn’t personally caught with that quantity of contraband.
Police arrested three suspects in possession of around 2 kilograms of drugs at each of their residences, including the world champion, and then targeted their supplier. A SWAT team raided the supplier’s apartment and found 10.5 kilograms of marijuana, 1.5 kilograms of amphetamines, thousands of ecstacsy pills, body armor, and guns.
It’s unclear how Krzykowski was involved at this time, but he could potentially face a 12-year jail sentence for possession in Poland.
Many fans remember Krzykowski fondly, a gaming prodigy who grew up before our very eyes when he burst onto the scene as a bright-eyed 14-year-old, too young to even compete in some of the tournaments he was potentially skilled enough to win. He was one of the best few Quake 4 players in the world, famed for his wanton and often unrefined aggression, the only player to best Johan “toxjq” Quick during Quick’s dominant run of 12 wins in 13 tournaments back in 2007.
av3k growing up, circa 2006 and 2012 Esreality
After Quake 4, Krzykowski continued competing in Quake 3 Arena and eventually Quake Live, maintaining his high standard of play.
More recent years were not as kind to Krzykowski’s career, as he struggled in particular to beat rival Shane “Rapha” Hendrixson in major tournaments. A heartfelt farewell at Dreamhack 2012, where he prematurely announced his retirement, was the beginning of the end of his career. The last time Krzykowski competed was at Dreamhack 2013, where he placed fourth in the Quake Live tournament, taking home just over $1,500.
“Quake was the best time of my life,” he said in his farewell. “I haven’t been doing anything other than my life in Quake. It was a great time for me. For sure I will miss it, and I don’t want to quit in the way other players did.”
Now, he could be potentially face jail time after failing to figure out just what to do with that life after his career ended.
Published: Mar 6, 2015 06:06 pm