Pokémon TCG Champion Receives Presidential Recognition

Chilean President Honors Pokémon TCG World Champion

Eighteen-year-old Fernando Cifuentes, the reigning Pokémon TCG World Champion, received an extraordinary honor: a meeting with the President of Chile at the Palacio de La Moneda. Cifuentes, along with nine fellow Chilean competitors, enjoyed a meal and photo opportunity with President Boric and other government officials. The government expressed immense pride in their achievements at the World Championships.

President Boric's Instagram post highlighted the positive social aspects of trading card games, emphasizing their role in fostering collaboration and friendship among young people.

Cifuentes received a commemorative framed card featuring himself and his championship Pokémon, Iron Thorns. The card inscription reads (translated from Spanish): "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."

President Boric's appreciation for Pokémon is well-known; he previously stated his fondness for Squirtle during his 2021 presidential campaign. Following Cifuentes' victory, the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs gifted him a Squirtle and Pokéball plush.

Cifuentes' Victory: A Narrow Escape

Cifuentes' journey to victory wasn't without drama. He narrowly avoided elimination in the Top 8 after his opponent, Ian Robb, was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct. This unexpected turn of events propelled Cifuentes to the semifinals against Jesse Parker, whom he defeated, ultimately securing the $50,000 grand prize and the championship title over Seinosuke Shiokawa.

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