These people are the very best like no one ever was (I had to say it). The 2016 Pokémon World Championships held in San Francisco, CA, have concluded, and champions were crowned in the Pokémon TCG, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, and Pokkén Tournament.
The Pokémon World Champions received a trophy, invitation to the next year’s World Championships, and collected a monetary prize in the form of a scholarship, cash prize, or a travel certificate. The Pokémon Company International awarded more than $600,000 in prizes to top finishers at the 2016 World Championships and has granted over $3 million in scholarships since it began hosting tournaments more than a decade ago.
“Each year, the Pokémon World Championships bring the global Pokémon community together to compete, celebrate, and enjoy the games that have delighted fans for two decades,” said J.C. Smith, senior director of consumer marketing at The Pokémon Company International. “Congratulations to our new Pokémon World Champions, and a special thank-you to the community of players, family members, volunteers, and fans who make the Pokémon World Championships the premier Pokémon event of the year.”
Over 2,000 players, fans, and supporters attended the event at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis Hotel, while more than 1.5 million Pokémon fans watched the championships on Pokemon.com and Twitch.tv/Pokemon.
And without further delay, here are your Pokémon World Champions for 2016!
2016 POKÉMON TRADING CARD GAME WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Junior Division Finalists (born in 2005 or later)
World Champion: Shunto Sadahiro (Japan)
Second Place: Riku Ushirosako (Japan)
Senior Division Finalists (born in 2001–2004)
World Champion: Jesper Eriksen (Denmark)
Second Place: Connor Pedersen (United States)
Masters Division Finalists (born in 2000 or earlier)
World Champion: Shintaro Ito (Japan)
Second Place: Cody Walinski (United States)
2016 POKÉMON VIDEO GAME WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Junior Division Finalists (born in 2005 or later)
World Champion: Cory Connor (United States)
Second Place: Shu Harasaki (Japan)
Senior Division Finalists (born in 2001–2004)
World Champion: Carson Confer (United States)
Second Place: Yuki Wata (Japan)
Masters Division Finalists (born in 2000 or earlier)
World Champion: Wolfe Glick (United States)
Second Place: Jonathan Evans (United States)
2016 POKKÉN TOURNAMENT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Senior Division Finalists (born in 2001 or later)
World Champion: Josh Simmonite (United Kingdom)
Second Place: Dale Causey (United States)
Masters Division Finalists (born in 2000 or earlier)
World Champion: Masami Sato (Japan)
Second Place: Araki Takuma (Japan)
Jonny eSports is the host of the reSports Radio Show that records live on Sunday evenings on Facebook and is posted here on AYBOnline on Mondays. He also co-hosts the Outplay Podcast that airs live on Twitch.tv/aybtv on Wednesdays at 7:30pm and is the Director of Into The League. He once placed fifth in a Pokkén Tournament so like, his Pikachu Libre is pretty hype. His opinions are his own.
