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Pokémon National Tournament

Jul 17, 2011

On July 8th, 2011, thousands of Pokémon Trainers gathered in Indianapolis to see who was the very best in the United States. There were separate tournaments for the Pokémon Black and White video game and for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The battle lasted the entire weekend and, in the end, the following victors remain...

Pokémon Championship Crest: Courtesy of Nintendo

Pokémon Black and White

Pokémon Black and White Starters

Video Game Champions

Junior Division Runner-Up: Brendan Zheng (Fresh Meadows, New York)
Junior Division Champion: Henry Maxon (Carnation, Washington)
Senior Division Runner-Up: David Arnold (Frankfort, Illinois)
Senior Division Champion: Aaron Zheng (Fresh Meadows, New York)
Masters Division Runner-Up: Dan Zollner (Edgewater Park, New Jersey)
Masters Division Champion: Wolfe Glick (McLean, Virginia)

TCG Champions

Junior Division Runner-Up: Sydney Morisoli (Downingtown, Pennsylvania)
Junior Division Champion: Xander Pero (Deerfield, Illinois)
Senior Division Runner-Up: Jimmy McClure (Centreville, Virginia)
Senior Division Champion: David Richard (Shelby Township, Michigan)
Masters Division Runner-Up: Kyle Sucevich (Kenosha, Wisconsin)
Masters Division Champion: Justin Sanchez (Miami, Florida)

(Age Division placement is determined by birth year. Juniors = Born after 2000, Seniors = Born 1996-1999, Masters = Born 1995 or earlier)

Tournament Overview

The video game tournament is a 2v2 battle where you can view your opponent's team of six at the start of the match before picking the four Pokémon that you will use for the battle. Only the new Pokémon from Black and White were allowed and, while there were plenty of variety, Hydreigon seemed to be favored by many.

In the trading card game tournament, players can only make their 60 card deck from the more recent expansion sets, from the Heart Gold Soul Silver set to the most recent Black and White set. Almost all the top decks used Yanmega Prime.

Next up for these Pokémon Champions is the world Tournament, which will be held in San Diego starting on August 12th, 2011. Even without an invite, players from all over the world can participate in the last chance qualifying tournament and have a shot at being the very best!