World Championships Profiles

David Fernandez Abarca
Age: 25

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned by myself with a starter deck.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like hanging around with my friends.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting foreign players.

Leon Althof
Age: 10

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play through the Pokémon League.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like to play, and collect the cards.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
To be in Florida!

Simon Sebastian Andersen
Age: 11

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play from my brother.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
It's fun!

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting other people and playing Pokémon!

Jimmy Ballard
Age: 35

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned by playing at our local shop.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like building Rogue decks, meeting new people, and tournaments.

Fabrizio Belloni
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play by myself.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
It's a very strategic game, and it's very fun.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Playing against players from the United States and Japan.

Miguel Angel Lopez Bernal
Age: 25

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play from my friends.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like to meet people from other countries. I have friends around the world from playing the Pokémon TCG.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Playing against the best players in the world.

Alan Daniel Bidart
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play by myself.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like making friends, building decks, formulating strategies, and (when it happens) winning prizes at tournaments.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Too many things to fit here!

Minde Brenninkmeijer
Age: 9

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
My brother taught me.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like playing in tournaments.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Playing kids from all around the world.

Dylan Bryan
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned in a League when I was younger, and then I didn't play again until recently. My dad taught me recently.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like meeting new friends, having fun, and being able to discuss strategy and gameplay with friends.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting new people with similar interests from other countries.

Peter Bryld
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play at a Pokémon League.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like making, and thinking about, new decks. I also like meeting new people.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting new people, and playing against the world's best players.

Jayson Campkin
Age: 10

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I cleaned my room, got $5, bought a starter deck, and played with my dad.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
It's great fun. I like meeting new friends, and getting to travel overseas.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Going to Disney World!

Martina Canto
Age: 13

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I started to play by using a theme deck from the Base Set.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the spirit of competition, the friendly atmosphere, and traveling to play at tournaments.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
The fantastic atmosphere!

Diego Cassiraga
Age: 24

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned by watching games, and practicing with friends.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like spending time with my friends, and meeting new ones.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting my friends from other countries.

Luca Clavadetscher
Age: 20

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play with my brother and some friends.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I love collecting the cards, the strategy, having fun, and seeing my friends!

Anne Cohen-Stegmann
Age: 62

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
My son taught me how to play.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
Fun, fun fun!

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
All of the people!

Daniel Cohen
Age: 18

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
A friend taught me how to play.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
The traveling! :)

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
The tournament itself!

Jonathan Cowley
Age: 11

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
My best friend taught me how to play.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like making new friends from around the world.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Everything!

Aurelien Delambre
Age: 30

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play with my first starter deck.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like meeting people, and playing with old friends and new players.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
I want to do my best!

Laetitia Delhausse
Age: 17

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned at a game convention.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like strategy, traveling, and meeting new people.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Seeing old friends, and making new ones!

Christa Engel
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I think my dad, known as "Pokémon John," taught me to play at the League he ran.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
Pokémon isn't like school. At League I feel like I'm with a group of people who appreciate me, and not just because I'm good at school.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Volunteering in my spare time.

Jonas Eriksen
Age: 10

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play from my big brother.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I meet a lot of new friends, and it's fun to play.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Just to be there!

Steffen Eriksen
Age: 18

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play from one of my friends.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like meeting and playing against people from different countries. You make a lot of friends from outside your country while playing in international events.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
The size of the tournament.

Garrett Farrington
Age: 15

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned from friends.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the friends.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Seeing friends!

Christopher Matthew Fotheringham
Age: 10

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned at home with my dad and brother.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like winning cards and prizes.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
The goodies!

Nicholas Stephen Fotheringham
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play at League with my dad.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
It's fun. There are lots of great, friendly people to meet.

Alexander Frezza
Age: 16

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play at a League.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like friends, winning of course, learning new combinations, and making decks. I like everything about Pokémon!

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting other people!

Mark Gimbel
Age: 10

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned by playing the Pokémon TCG video game.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like my friends, and the competition.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting players from different countries.

Robin Gimbel
Age: 18

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play at school, with some friends.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like having fun, traveling, and finding new friends.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Worlds '08! No more statements.

Thomas Hall
Age: 18

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the strategy. Each card played can make a huge difference in the outcome of the game.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting new people!

Thomas Harle
Age: 9

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play with my family.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
The tournaments.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
The entertainment.

Jonathan He
Age: 10

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I read the rulebook.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like making new friends.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Just being qualified!

Patrick Jensen
Age: 15

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play in the Pokémon League.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
The friends, the new people you meet, and winning!

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting other players.

Jason Klaczynski
Age: 22

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I used a theme deck, the rulebook, and help from friends.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
It's full of strategy and tactics. You can also meet some cool people.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
The friends!

Christian Lauer
Age: 11

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned by reading the rulebook.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like how the games are full of suspense until the very end.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Playing in a foreign country with players from all over the world!

Kevin Lee
Age: 25

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned by playing with a starter set from the original Base Set.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like having fun, and meeting new people.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting new people!

Jouni Lehtinen
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
My friend taught me how to play.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like deck-building, and winning.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
A vacation to the U.S.A.!

Ignacio Lescarbura
Age: 10

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned how to play in my local shop.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like having fun, and meeting new friends.

Finn Looft
Age: 21

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
A friend told me how to play.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the competition between the players.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Competing against players from other countries.

Marc Lutz
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I "learned by doing."

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
It is interesting to see what decks will be played.

Rafael Hakon Magnus
Age: 17

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play from some friends.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
Actually, everything! :)

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting new people!

Elisa Maillard
Age: 10

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play in a League close to my city.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the challenge, and the strategy.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Playing with world champions.

Alex Maiman
Age: 13

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I saw an ad on TV, and I thought that it looked cool. So, I learned how to play.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the cool people, and the prizes.

Elsina Mantzel
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play by playing with my brother and my mother.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like how it allows me to meet friends in other countries. I have friends in Demark and Switzerland.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting new friends!

Alexandre Marcant
Age: 7

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play with my parents and my brother. I play every Wednesday at my father's Pokémon League.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the spirit of the game, and the opportunity to meet different people.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting lots of good players.

Herve Marcant
Age: 40

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play with my children.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
It's a pleasure to practice a very interesting game with my sons, and I like the spirit of a lot of the players.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting a lot of players!

Olivier Marcant
Age: 10

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play with my parents and my brother, every Wednesday in my father's League.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the spirit of the game, and the opportunity to meet different people.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting a lot of good players.

Dennis Mischitz
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned the game by playing with my friends.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like how it feels to win. I also like the pictures, the deck-building, and thinking about strategies.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
The atmosphere.

Naomi Murn
Age: 9

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I first came to League, and I didn't know how to play. So, one of the helpers taught me.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like playing my friends, and having a challenge.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting new people from around the world!

Christian Ortiz
Age: 19

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I started with the two-player Machamp theme deck from the Base Set, and learned from there.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like meeting new people, and having fun playing the game I love—Pokémon.

Lennart Paschen
Age: 8

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
My father played Pokémon with me.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like how many possibilities there are in the game.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
The Pokémon party!

Karl Peters
Age: 16

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play at Pokémon League.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the victory!

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting the other people.

Alexander Pollmann
Age: 13

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned from friends, reading, and tournament play.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the fun and the friends.

Jonas Prohaska
Age: 12

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned how to play by reading the rulebook.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the cool Pokémon pictures on the cards.

Agustin Pugliese
Age: 19

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned by buying a starter deck from the Base Set. I read the rulebook by myself.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the friends, and the big tournaments.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Gathering with friends I only see once a year.

Marcus Raj
Age: 19

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I started learning how to play with friends at school.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
The community is fantastic, and I met all of my coolest friends through playing Pokémon.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Seeing my friends again!

Bjorn Reinsdorf
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play from a friend.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the deck-building strategy, the fun tournaments, and the nice people.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Playing against the best players in the world!

Stale Reklev
Age: 11

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play from my mother and brother.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting other players!

Lucas Fernan Salvador
Age: 9

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned by playing with my brother and my father.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like playing with new people.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
To be with the best players in the world!

Steffen Sandberg
Age: 18

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
My friends taught me how to play. But mostly, I've learned from myself and my dad.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the friendship, the travel, and also the rush from playing—feels great!

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting other players, and of course, playing!

Ben Sauk
Age: 15

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
My dad taught my brother and I how to play.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like meeting new friends, seeing old ones, and having fun.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Seeing old friends!

Fares Sekkoum
Age: 12

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned from my older brothers.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
The people I meet are really cool.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Seeing my friends!

Sami Sekkoum
Age: 18

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
A really cool guy taught me. I think his name was Jim. I had a 300-card deck at the time.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the people I meet, and there are some really cool characters.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
My friends!

David Shoyket
Age: 12

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
My dad and I read the rulebook and thought it was fun.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
You make new friends, and have a lot of fun.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
I get to meet my friends again!

Mathieu Sirel
Age: 21

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I played another TCG, and I heard about a Pokémon day. I was curious, so I went with my brother and we became addicted!

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
Pokémon players are all crazy and cool people. I'm myself a crazy cool guy, and I like to travel with my crazy and cool friends. I like meeting crazy and cool people from all around the world.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Like Ash says, "I wanna be the very best!"

Stephan Noerregaard Soerensen
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play from one of my friends.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like winning the game.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Winning the tournament!

Simone Soldo
Age: 20

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play at Pokémon Leagues.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the different paths one can choose when playing a match.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
That it's my third time in a row.

German Nadal Sosa
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play with friends.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the strategy, and the Pokémon.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
I'm excited that I'm one of the best, and that I'll play with people from other countries.

Jak Stewart-Armstead
Age: 12

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play by researching the game.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like having fun.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
The excitement of playing against the best players in the world.

Sean Takemoto
Age: 15

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
My friend gave me a deck as a Christmas present, and taught me how to play.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like meeting new friends, having good games, and sharing the same hobby with other people.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
All of the new people I will meet!

Flavijan Tekavec
Age: 11

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I went to a League festival in our country, and I bought my first deck.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like meeting new friends, winning prizes, and learning about the English language. I also like the Pokémon illustrations.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
The fun!

Joona Vainisto
Age: 18

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I read the rulebook with my father, and we played against each other.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like meeting new friends, the excitement of playing, and winning tournaments.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting all the good players!

Nikola Vakarelov
Age: 12

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play by using a starter deck.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like the spirit of the game.

Sanne Van der Vis
Age: 11

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
My dad taught me how to play.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like having fun, and making new friends.

Gert Vezcleyen
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned with a computer game.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like creating your own deck, and winning with it.

Daniel Jordan Viray
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
My older brother taught me how to play.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
I like collecting the valuable cards, and also trading them. I enjoy the strategy used within the game.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
I get to battle and trade with people from different countries.

Vincent Wu
Age: 11

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
My brother taught me how to play when I was younger.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
It's fun, and you can learn and win lots of things.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
It's a good holiday, and I'll have new experiences.

David Yan
Age: 14

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play from friends, and from the rulebook.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
It's really great meeting new people and friends.

What excites you most about going to the Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Meeting players!

Michele Zucchelli
Age: 8

How did you learn to play Pokémon TCG?
I learned to play with my father and my brother.

What are your favorite things about playing the Pokémon TCG?
It's fantastic!