Pokémon Trainer Interviews

Pokémon TCG players report from the U.S. National Championships.

With the first day of the 2008 Pokémon TCG U.S. National Championships nearly complete, Go-Pokemon.com toured the trenches to speak with Pokémon Trainers between battles. Some had winning records, and some did not. Without fail, everyone shared a common experience of fun, competition, and good sportsmanship. Here are excerpts from just a few conversations held throughout the day.

Interviews have been edited for clarity and length.

Trainer: Jordan Hill
Hailing from: North Carolina

What is your favorite thing about the Pokémon TCG?

I like hanging out with my friends, and testing lots of new decks. Just having fun pretty much.

What is your record today?
I'm 2-3 at this point. So, it's kind of disappointing, but it happens.

What is your favorite Pokémon?
That's a tough one. Let's go with Ho-Oh. I like Ho-Oh.

What is it like to compete at an event like Nationals?
It's amazing to see so many people passionate about something all together at the same place. You can feel that energy, and there's a lot of comradery and friendship.

Trainer: Korena Klimczack
Hailing from: Florida

What is your favorite thing about the Pokémon TCG?

I like making friends, and making decks. It's fun just to play and experiment to see what you can do.

What is your record today?
I lost three games I think, and won one.

What is your favorite Pokémon?
It has to be Gyarados.

What is it like to compete at an event like Nationals?
It's a great way to make friends, and it's a great mental activity for your brain. It's just fun. The Pokémon TCG is a great hobby. You can really get into it, and start collecting or playing. It's a great social and mental thing.

Trainer: Eric Brache
Hailing from: New York

What is your favorite thing about the Pokémon TCG?

My favorite thing is having fun and making friends.

What is your record today?
Well, I just lost to a Blissey deck this round and I feel so bad. I just want to make the top cut. I don't really care about winning it all, I just want to top.

What is your favorite Pokémon?
My favorite Pokémon is Weavile.

What is it like to compete at an event like Nationals?
This is my first Nationals. You get to meet new people, and play against people from all over the States. Even people from Hawaii came through!

Trainer: Melina “Dawn” Kingsley
Hailing from: Colorado

What is your favorite thing about the Pokémon TCG?

I love all the really cool tournaments. I like how if you win one tournament, you get a trip to the next tournament. That's my favorite thing.

What is your record today?
My record is 4-1.

What is your favorite Pokémon?
That's a hard decision. I don't know … Piplup for sure. I like Cresselia a lot, and Zapdos.

What is it like to compete at an event like Nationals?
You have to have fun, because it's just a game. If you lose, it's OK.

Trainer: Ben
Hailing from: Illinois

What is your favorite thing about the Pokémon TCG?

My favorite thing about the Pokémon Trading Card Game is when you get all of the new cards, like the LV.X cards and the ex cards.

What is your record today?
My record today is 2-3.

What is your favorite Pokémon?
My favorite Pokémon would be Blaziken.

What is it like to compete at an event like Nationals?
I'm surprised at how many people there are here. We practiced with a lot of decks to get ready.