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?
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?
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?
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.
Winning the Pick’Em or winning the Dragon Lore?
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. My childhood friends told me the news first.
What happens to the Dragon Lore?
Honestly, I still don’t know. I still can’t believe I actually won it. 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.
I’m still in shock. Good luck in the next Pick’Em… you’re going to need it!
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.
