Red Bull MEO Season 5 India Finale: Jonathan Talks about Two Finger grip, Esports Player of the Year Award, and More

Red Bull recently concluded the India finale of MEO Season 5 at Sunder Nursery in New Delhi. The event included on-ground competition between the top esports teams in Pokemon Unite, Clash of Clans and World Cup Cricket 3. We have already covered everything here including the results of the esports matches and the rest that took place at the event.

Apart from the esports matches, several popular personalities from the gaming and content creator ecosystem also attended the event. During the event, we got a chance to talk to BGMI Maestro, Jonathan Amaral. Jonathan was one of the most popular out there as we could hear his fans chanting his name throughout the event. Every once in a while, we would hear loud shouts from a good chunk of fans saying “Johnny Bhai!”.

I was able to ask Jonathan more about his famous two finger grip, his Naruto themed logo, and a lot more. Check out our conversation below:

Q. As we have seen through various videos, you use a two-thumb grip and gyroscope. How did you figure out that was the best play style for you?

Jonathan: From the start only, I used to play with a two-thumb grip, other shootings games. After that, I came to know about PUBG, so on that also two thumbs, and now also you know, two thumb.

Hindi Transcript: “From the start only aisa two thumb pe hi khelta tha. Usse pehle you know I used to play aise hi, just other shooting games. So, from the start only I used to play on two thumb, fir baad main I came to know about PUBG, so fir usme bhi two thumb and abhi aap ko pata hi hai two thumb”.

Q. So from your logo, I assume you are Naruto Fan, as you have transformed yourself into Kakashi Hatake. Can you elaborate on maybe you favourite Naruto arc or your favourite anime?

Jonathan: Actually, the story behind that was, my editor randomly made this and sent it to me. So, I liked it, I thought ‘dude, this is sexy’. So, then I made it my YouTube Logo and shared it on other social media platforms.

Hindi Transcript: “So actually pata hai, uske peeche ek yeh tha, ki you know mera editor ne, jo tha, usne yeh randomly banaya tha. So, I liked it, I was like you know dude, sexy banaya hai tune yeh. So, after that only I put it as my YouTube and you know I started putting on my social media platforms. So wohi daal diya.”

Q. So we are at a Red Bull event, how according to you has Red Bull helped boost gaming and the gaming industry in India according to you?

Jonathan: So, I have played many tournaments for Red Bull, MEO, the BGMI One. You know, Red Bull is a next level brand, and I really look forward to working with them. When I was small, I used to admire them. Red Bull has many influencers right now and for me, they have done everything. I really love them as a brand.

Hindi Transcript: “So, I have played many tournaments for Red Bull like MEO, the BGMI one. But, you know, Red Bull is a next level brand, you know. I really look forward to work with them. From the start, when I was small, i used to see Red Bull as a next level, you know, i used to admire them. Ki oh, Red Bull bro aisa hai. And Red Bull has many you know, many influencers with them right now, and for me they have done everything. So, I really love them as a brand.”

Q. Considering your unique background in professional esports and gaming as a whole, what is your wishlist from game publishers, developers and even authorities to take gaming to the next level?

Jonathan: There should be more LAN tournaments, if there are more LAN tournaments then people will come to know more about the game. So, if there are more LAN tournaments, with audience, then it is going to be next level dude!

Hindi Transcript: “Wohi that you know, more LAN tournaments. if there are more LAN tournaments then people will know more about the game, ki kya hai yeh, kya nahin. So i guess LAN tournaments hi, agar aur honge, with audience, so its going to be next level sh*t dude.”

Q. Lastly, you were just nominated for Esports Mobile Player of the Year as a wildcard entry. How does it feel?

Jonathan: Honestly speaking, when I came to know about the news that I have been nominated for esports player of the year, I was like, ‘damn bro!’ Its my first time being nominated here, I used to just watch other people getting nominated for it. Then one day I was sleeping and woke up and I was like ‘Woah I’ve been nominated’. It was a next level feeling to tell you, and I hope I win this one.

Transcript: “So honestly speaking, when I came to know about the news that I have been nominated for esports player of the year, I was like you know, damn bro! You know, its my first time being nominated here. So, I used to just watch, ki other people are getting nominated. So, I was sleeping, and I woke up and I was like Woah, I’ve been nominated. Bro, it was a next level feeling to tell you and I hope so I win this one.”

Editor’s Note: Red Bull India team provided access to Jonathan for this interaction.