Now he plays on team Dynasty, which is considered the best team in the history of paintball. Dynasty receives more publicity than any other team, and Oliver more than receives his share of the spotlight. But what does he think of all of the hype? What does Mr. Modest have to say about being the player that he is? I sat down with Oliver while he took a break from walking on water and asked him a few questions about his game, his views, and his future in paintball.

Ryan Greenspan: The first time you stepped onto the field as an SC Ironman, how did that feel?

Oliver Lang: In my mind, I knew that I had to play well, and I knew that it was possible. I just had to prove it to them, which was the hard part. Being able to play at that level and playing with those guys is just an amazing feeling. Wow, I can’t explain the real feeling and the excitement that I had at that moment.

RG: During your legendary game against Image, what was your thought process as you began to make your move?

OL: I kinda thought of it as just another game. I take every game as one that we need to win. Rookie teams through pro teams, I don’t take any of them for granted. I saw the move that could win the game, and when I went, they all seemed to look the other way and it was basically over just as soon as it had started. When I got to the end, I was just hoping that the rest of my team was still alive.

RG: Tell me about your love for both skateboarding and paintball.

OL: I loved to skateboard when I was younger, but paintball is a team sport, and I can have more fun when I am playing paintball. I think that there is a lot of individual work in both sports as well as self-discipline, which is what I like about both of the sports. I just have more fun in paintball.

RG:Why is northern California such a hotbed for paintball?

OL: Almost all of the first big teams came from there, and everyone up there just strived to be the best, and we all wanted to continue the cycle. I looked up to all of the pro players that were around me while I kinda grew up.

RG: Above all else, what makes paintball your sport?

OL: I have never had more fun in any other sport. Almost all of my friends have come through paintball, and I can travel almost anywhere in the world and have a place to stay and hang out with friends that I have met overseas. I can’t think of any other sport that someone my age can travel the world and have the opportunity to see and do the things that I have done, all the while doing what I love.

RG: Do you actually like it when the odds are against you?

OL: No, I don’t think that anyone would really like it when the odds are against them. I only like it when we turn it around and end up winning the games that we are behind on.

RG: How do you get your teammates pumped up for a game?

OL: I scream and yell all sorts of profanity and chant the famous DYNAST … Y thing. I try my best to get everyone pumped up for the games, whether pro or novice. I don’t even know if it works. One time I kicked S.K. in the leg, and he got all pissed off and ended up having the best game of his life.

RG: What do you go through to prepare for tournament?

OL: I think that it is all mental; I just go over moves and scenarios in my mind that might happen. I also try to be as fit and fresh as possible.

RG: What are you getting out of paintball?

OL: I get a mental and physical outlet. I don’t think that I am a stress-out person, but it just feels so good to go out and play paintball with all of my friends. Like I said earlier, I have gotten so much out of paintball already, and it’s not even close to over. I have gotten friends, travel, fun, and life, everything that I could want.

RG: When you can’t play, what do you do?

OL: Pretty much, I think about playing paintball. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing. I hang out with all of my friends around the house—they are a lot like me—and we watch paintball videos almost every day.

RG: What players do you respect and like to play against?

OL: I respect Chris Lasoya (he is really good), Rich Telford, and Bob Long. I respect all of those guys. Bob and Rich have a lot of heart, and they play real hard. I admire that.

RG: Are there any players that you fear to play?

OL: Before the game I do fear some players, but when the game starts I don’t care who is on the other side. They are just another opponent.


RG: If you’re not the best, who is?

OL: I think that there are so many people out there with so many different abilities; I don’t think that there really is any one best player. If I were to select one player that could be considered the best player out there, it would have to be Chris Lasoya. He just has so much talent and has so much experience. He is an all-around great player.

RG: What do you expect to get out of paintball in the future?

OL: I have big dreams. Maybe I could get a career as a professional athlete and make a good living and a career out of it. I think that, ultimately, when I really need to, I can and will get a job in the industry, because that is what I know, and that is what I am devoting my life to right now.

Is Oliver really the best ever? In my book, yes. He represents and possesses all of the abilities and talents that other athletes in other sports have. He is extremely likable, friendly, gracious, and most important, damn good at what he does. One day we’ll see him on TV, and he’ll be the next big thing in extreme sports. That day might not be so far away.