The world has watched with great anticipation as athletes from thirty nations from six continents assembled at the global event anticipated by ardent fans. That's right, it's time for the 2008 Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) World Championships and Pokémon Video Game Showdown! As the press release says, "more than 400 players ages 6 to 62 competed for the chance to be crowned the best Pokémon players in the world [last] weekend in Orlando, Florida." Rather than parrot more of the press release I will instead point you at A Guide To All Things Tacky Fabulous In Orlando which offers this:
The Pokémon Trading Card World Championships are finally here. Thank God, because I've been waiting all year. Trust me, this event is synonymous with hedonism. Expect a huge, unruly crowd do descend on Orlando. Their tailgating parties are legendary. "The best Pokémon Trainers from the US and Japan" are set to compete. What do you mean, "How do you train a trading card?" If you have to ask, you just don't get it... amateurs.
I'll probably swing by there at some point since I did pretty well this season - ranking 15,357 in regionals, practically earning a premier rating along the way. You should have seen the look on Tsunekaz Ishihara's face when I attempted the Triple Lindy of trading - putting a Sandshrew, Magikarp, and Kingdra Ex in a fight against a Raichu (Picachu's annoying brother) . Ishihara was floored. It's never before been attempted, much less, perfectly executed - Thank you very much! Take that, team Slovenia. They are absolute cowards in the world of card training, and everyone knows they cheat.
It's easy to laugh at the world of organized Pokémon battling, but the event did award over $100,000 in scholarships to children, so let's not snicker too loud or point derisively too much.
