Three New U.S. National Champions Crowned in Ohio

Next stop: 2008 Pokémon TCG World Championships

Pokémon Trainers Gino Lombardi and Drew Holton in the Masters final match.

After two days of strategic play, the 2008 Pokémon TCG U.S. National Championships have come to a close. Earning the title of the biggest Pokémon tournament ever held, the U.S. National Championships drew Pokémon Trainers from all over the country, and featured competitors whose ages ranged from under six to over sixty.

The first day of competition whittled down the competition to the top 32 players in each of three age divisions. On day two, those who made the top cut continued to battle for the title of U.S. National Champion. With more than $40,000 in scholarships, Pokémon prize packages, and invitations to the Pokémon TCG World Championships on the line, the competition was intense.

When the last card was played, three Pokémon Trainers earned the honor of calling themselves the best in the nation. Here are the official results:

Masters Division (born in 1992 or earlier)
1st Place – Gino Lombardi ($5,000 scholarship award)
2nd Place – Drew Holton ($3,000 scholarship award)
3rd Place – Colin Moll ($1,500 scholarship award)

Senior Division (born in 1993, 1994, 1995, or 1996)
1st Place – Orion Craig ($5,000 scholarship award)
2nd Place – Steven Roberto ($3,000 scholarship award)
3rd Place – Abdulaziz Al-Yami ($1,500 scholarship award)

Junior Division (born in 1992 or earlier)
1st Place – Henry Leaming ($5,000 scholarship award)
2nd Place – Tristan Robinson ($3,000 scholarship award)
3rd Place – Brandon Cross ($1,500 scholarship award)

Go-Pokemon.com had the opportunity to speak to each of the National Champions.

Interviews have been edited for clarity and length.

Masters Division Champion: Gino Lombardi
Hailing from: Rhode Island

Pokémon U.S. National Championships How does it feel to be the best Pokémon TCG player in the country?
It feels good. I think I'll get a lot of recognition now. I play-tested in my hotel until 5:00 in the morning, then I woke up at 7:30. I only got a couple hours of sleep. I was debating between a lot of decks, and the deck that I chose actually won.

What type of deck did you use, and what was your strategy?
I call lit G-PLOX, because my name is Gino, and a lot of people play PLOX. PLOX is a deck based on Gardevoir and Gallade. The name comes from Gardevoir's Psychic Lock attack. A lot of PLOX decks don't play like mine. A lot of people play PLOX with Dusknoir. I play my PLOX with Breloom, Cresselia, Jirachi ex, and Phione.

What are you going to do to get ready for the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
I'm going to play test a little. I usually don't do that, but I want to win Worlds. I went to Worlds in 2006 and got into the top 32, and last year I got 21st place.

What are you going to do to celebrate your win?
I'm going to hang out with my friends, and enjoy the win.

Senior Division Champion: Orion Craig
Hailing from: Florida

Pokémon U.S. National Championships How does it feel to be the best Pokémon TCG player in the country?
It's pretty good. I never thought I'd win Nationals. I've been to four or five Nationals before.

What type of deck did you use, and what was your strategy?
I played an Eevee-lutions deck. My strategy was to do a lot of damage, and to make sure that I used the right Pokémon based on my opponent's weakness. The deck had Vaporeon, Flareon, Jolteon, Leafeon, Espeon, and Umbreon. Everything but Glaceon.

What are you going to do to get ready for the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
I'm going to test play a lot.

What are you going to do to celebrate your win?
I'll probably go eat, and then just talk with my friends.

Junior Division Champion: Henry Leaming
Hailing from: Washington

Pokémon U.S. National Championships How does it feel to be the best Pokémon TCG player in the country?
It feels pretty good!

What type of deck did you use, and what was your strategy?
I used PLOX. That's a Gallade / Gardevoir deck with a tech 101 Dusknoir. In the first game, I out-sped my opponent because I got a good set-up and he didn't. Once Gardevoir got Knocked Out, I could just keep the Psychic Lock going with the Cessation Crystal in play.

What are you going to do to celebrate your win?
I'm going to have to think about that ...

Click here for a complete list of prizes awarded to the top finishers. Congratulations to the 2008 winners, and thanks to all of the great Pokémon Trainers who made the 2008 U.S. Pokémon TCG National Championships the biggest Pokémon tournament on record.

For complete coverage of the 2008 U.S. Pokémon TCG National Championships, including the 2008 Professor Cup, click here.

From left to right, Masters division winners Colin Moll, Gino Lombardi, and Drew Holton.

From left to right, Senior division winners Steven Roberto, Orion Craig, and Abdulaziz Al-Yami.

From left to right, Junior division winners Tristan Robinson, Henry Leaming, and Brandon Cross.