Updates

July 21

Pokémon Trainers Battle in the Big Apple

The second Pokémon Video Game Showdown Qualifier Tournament draws hundreds of fans to New York City.

Last Saturday, Pokémon Trainers of all ages flocked to New York City to compete in the final regional Qualifier Tournament for the first-ever Pokémon Video Game Showdown. No Mega Punches were pulled as the best Trainers battled it out for the chance to be named the ultimate champion at the Pokémon Video Game Showdown on August 16th in Orlando, Florida.

Prizes were awarded to the top eight finishers in each age division, including a paid trip for two to Orlando to compete against the top 32 Trainers from Japan. With Palkia and Dialga overlooking the competition, Trainers competed using the 2-on-2 format in Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl.

New York's own Jeremy Au-Yeung (20 years old) rose to the top of the Senior Division, defeating Dylan Bryan (14) from New Jersey in the championship match. The top eight finishers in each age division earned invitations to compete at the Pokémon Video Game Showdown Finals. Not long after the championship match, Go-Pokemon.com had the opportunity to chat briefly with Jeremy about his victory.

Interviews have been edited for clarity and length.

What is your favorite Pokémon?
Arcanine.

What is your favorite Pokémon video game?
My favorite is Pokémon Crystal, because of the 16 badges you can earn in the game.

Why did you enter the Pokémon Video Game Showdown?
I entered because I thought it would be pretty cool. I competed in the Pokémon Video Game Nationals during Journey Across America, but I lost. So I thought I would try again.

What Pokémon did you have in your party?
Zapdos, Garchomp, Gengar, and Metagross.

What was your strategy?
My strategy was to use attacks that could hit multiple opponents. I also used the occasional Explosion.

How did the final match go down?
My opponent used Trick Room. [The effect of this attack is that slower Pokémon act first for five turns. The effect ends if used a second time.] So, I used Gengar to take advantage of this, and I put his Pokémon to Sleep. At that point, I was able to finish him off.

In the Junior Division, Knight Silvayne (11) from Illinois earned a first-place finish after defeating New Jersey native Mychael Bryan (10). Shortly after the battle, Knight took a moment to answer a few questions about Pokémon and his victory.

What is your favorite Pokémon?
Purugly.

What is your favorite Pokémon video game?
My favorite Pokémon video game is Pokémon Pearl, because it has my favorite Pokémon, Purugly.

Why did you enter the Pokémon Video Game Showdown?
I entered the tournament because I really like Pokémon. I'm happy that my sister entered too.

What Pokémon did you have in your party?
I don't want to tell!

What was your strategy?
I tried to take my opponents down with one-hit K.O.s.

How did the final match go down?
I used Earthquake. I felt really good during that match.

A complete list of the top 16 finishers is listed below. Each of these Pokémon Trainers will compete in Orlando on August 16th for a chance to be crowned the winner of the 2008 Pokémon Video Game Showdown.

Senior Division

Champion
Jeremy Au-Yeung

Finalists
Jeremy Au-Yeung
Dylan Bryan
Aren Douglass
Marc Esquerra
Rick Guerra
Christopher Hunter
Diego Leon
Ray Rizzo

Junior Division

Champion
Knight Silvayne

Finalists
Grace Arnold
Mychael Bryan
Alexander Chong
Rayad Khan
Knight Silvayne
Vincent Taylor
Christopher Tkach
Aaron Zheng

Learn more about the Pokémon Video Game Showdown Finals.