After finishing first on the Skin.Club Pick’Em leaderboard during the IEM Cologne Major 2026, Canax sat down with us for an exclusive interview. The Pick’Em champion, who claimed the legendary AWP | Dragon Lore as the grand prize, spoke about the prediction that surprised him the most, explained why he backed Falcons to win the Major, revealed the biggest mistakes participants make, and reflected on the emotions of finishing ahead of thousands of competitors.
Which prediction surprised you the most?
Although every correct prediction counted toward his final score, there was one that even Canax never expected to get completely right.
The prediction that surprised me the most was probably my playoff bracket. I managed to get 100% accuracy, and I definitely didn’t expect that before the event started.
Why did you choose Falcons to win the Major?
Rather than relying solely on instinct, Canax spent hours studying the potential grand final before locking in his Pick’Em prediction.
I picked Falcons because I really wanted NiKo to finally win a Major, and there was no better stage than Cologne. I also spent around 10 hours analyzing their matchup against Vitality and reviewing their previous head-to-head games before making my decision.
What’s the biggest mistake people make in Pick’Em?
According to Canax, many participants focus too much on overall rankings instead of considering how teams actually perform against one another.
Many people simply think: ‘Vitality are winning everything, so I’ll pick them.’ But you need to understand how teams match up against each other and what form they’re in coming into the Major. Roster changes and recent performances matter much more than people think.
When asked for one piece of advice for future participants, his answer was simple.
Just follow your gut.
Winning the Pick’Em or winning the Dragon Lore?
The moment the Major concluded turned into one of the most memorable experiences of Canax’s life.
Skin.Club Pick’Em, without a doubt. When Falcons won the Major, I opened the leaderboard and saw myself in first place. That was probably the biggest adrenaline rush I’ve ever had.
He also revealed that the first people to learn about his victory were his childhood friends.
What happens to the Dragon Lore?
Despite winning one of Counter-Strike’s most iconic skins, Canax says he still hasn’t decided what to do with it.
Honestly, I still don’t know. I still can’t believe I actually won it.
Interestingly, the Dragon Lore wasn’t even the main motivation for entering the competition.
I never really thought I’d win a Dragon Lore. I was mostly playing to see how many points I could score. If I happened to win a prize as well, that was just a bonus.
A message to the community
Even after claiming the top prize, Canax says the achievement still feels surreal.
I’m still in shock.
Before ending the interview, he left one final message for everyone planning to compete in the next Skin.Club Pick’Em.
Good luck in the next Pick’Em… you’re going to need it!
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A memorable Pick’Em triumph
With thousands of participants competing for the grand prize, topping the Skin.Club Pick’Em leaderboard was no easy feat. Through careful preparation, detailed matchup analysis, and confidence in his own predictions, Canax secured the legendary AWP | Dragon Lore and wrote one of the competition’s most memorable success stories. As anticipation already builds for the next Major, his experience serves as a reminder that success in Pick’Em isn’t just about following the favorites—it’s about understanding the game, trusting your own instincts, and making bold predictions when they matter most.
