Pokémon Champ Celebrated In Chile

Chilean Pokémon TCG World Champion Meets President Boric: A Celebration of Skill and Sportsmanship

Fernando Cifuentes, the 18-year-old Pokémon TCG World Champion, received an extraordinary honor: a meeting with the President of Chile at Palacio de La Moneda. This momentous occasion saw Cifuentes and nine fellow Chilean competitors welcomed to the presidential palace for a celebratory meal and photographs with President Boric and other government officials. The government expressed immense pride in the players' achievements, particularly their advancement to the second day of the competition.

President Boric, himself a Pokémon fan (his favorite is Squirtle!), highlighted the positive social impact of trading card games, emphasizing the collaborative spirit fostered within these competitive communities. As a testament to Cifuentes' victory, he received a custom-framed card featuring himself and Iron Thorns, his championship Pokémon. The card's inscription reads: "Fernando and Iron Thorns. Ability: World Champion. Fernando Cifuentes, from Iquique, made history as the first Chilean to win the Pokémon World Championships 2024 Masters Finals in Honolulu, Hawaii."

Cifuentes' journey to victory wasn't without drama. He narrowly escaped elimination in the Top 8, benefiting from Ian Robb's disqualification for unsportsmanlike conduct. This unexpected turn of events propelled him to the semifinals against Jesse Parker, whom he defeated before overcoming Seinosuke Shiokawa in the finals to claim the $50,000 prize.

For a complete recap of the 2024 Pokémon World Championships, please see our related article.