Pokémon Trainers Battle Around the World!

Four new Champions were crowned this weekend at the latest Pokémon Video Game Championships events.

This spring and summer, Pokémon Trainers across the globe are battling for a chance to become a World Champion at the 2009 Pokémon Video Game World Championships! Trainers in the United States and Japan are playing Pokémon™ Platinum Version , while Pokémon Trainers in Europe are playing Pokémon™ Diamond Version and Pokémon™ Pearl Version . When the competitors meet on the ultimate stage at the Pokémon Video Game World Championships, all players will compete playing Pokémon™ Platinum Version .

On June 13th, the final U.S. Regional tournament took place at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. On the same day, the second of the European Qualifier tournaments took place in Berlin, Germany. It was an awesome day of Pokémon battles around the world!

We had a chance to catch up with both the Senior and Junior division Regional Champions from the U.S. event, each of whom earned guaranteed competitors slots and Travel Allowances to participate in the 2009 Pokémon Video Game National Championships in St. Louis, Missouri.

Senior Division Regional Champion

Pokémon Video Game Championships

Allen, 2009 Nashville Pokemon Video Game Regional Champion (Senior division)

Name: Allen
Age: 20
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Pokémon in Party: Uxie, Metagross, Heatran, Azelf

What is your favorite Pokémon game?
Pokémon Emerald Version.

What are your favorite Pokémon?
Metagross and Azelf.

How long have you been preparing for this tournament?
I literally put my team together the night before—just last night!

What happened in your final match?
I almost forgot to do the knock out after a really tight match that went back and forth!

Any parting words?
I’m grateful to my opponent today who showed me how to Ice Punch Metagross.

Junior Division Regional Champion

Pokémon Video Game Championships

David, 2009 Nashville Pokemon Video Game Regional Champion (Junior division)

Name: David
Age: 12
Hometown: Frankfurt, IL
Pokémon in Party: Vaporeon, Ludicolo, Kingdra, Toxicroak

Why did you enter this tournament?
I wanted to see how well I could do!

What is your favorite Pokémon game?
Pokémon Platinum Version.

What are your favorite Pokémon?
Ludicolo and Turtwig.

What was your strategy in the final match?
I had to outwit Trick Room...

Any parting words?
I think my chances in St. Louis are pretty good.

Congratulations to all of our Regional and European Qualifier Champions!

Seattle Pokémon Video Game Regional Champions
Junior Division: Cade from Lynwood, WA (Battle Video Number: 34-16068-35951*)
Senior Division: Daniel from Yelm, WA

Fremont (San Francisco) Pokémon Video Game Regional Champions
Junior Division: Josh from Stanwood, WA
Senior Division: Huy from Fremont, CA (Battle Video Number: 71-58349-74950*)

Phoenix Pokémon Video Game Regional Champions
Junior Division: Carlos from El Paso, TX
Senior Division: Paul from Hesperia, CA (Battle Video Number: 70-86331-77624*)

Arlington (Dallas) Pokémon Video Game Regional Champions
Junior Division: Francisco from Sachse, TX
Senior Division: Len from Highland Park, TX

European (London) Qualifier Champions
Junior Division: Matej from Hitchin, UK
Senior Division: Sadman from London, UK

King of Prussia (Philadelphia) Pokémon Video Game Regional Champions
Junior Division: Vincent from Monmouth Junction, NJ
Senior Division: Ethan from Stockertown, PA

European (Berlin) Qualifier Champions
Junior Division: Bjor from Scharbentz, Germany
Senior Division: Matthias from Potsdam, Germany

Nashville Pokémon Video Game Regional Champions
Junior Division: David from Frankfurt, IL
Senior Division: Allen from Phoenix, AZ (Battle Video Number: 55-41110-08516*)

European (Paris) Qualifier Champions
Junior Division: Lucas from Barcelona, Spain
Senior Division: Marcel from Wetter, Germany

See a list of upcoming events and read the official rules at www.PokemonVGC.com.

* If you own Pokémon™ Platinum Version, visit the third floor of the Global Terminal in Jubilife City and enter the Battle Video Number to watch a Battle Video replay of the Championship match!

Pokémon Video Game Championships