Pokémon TCG World Champion Honored by the President of Chile

The Pokémon TCG World Champion, Fernando Cifuentes, was recently honored with a prestigious meeting with the President of Chile. This remarkable event highlights Cifuentes' journey from a dedicated player to a world champion, culminating in a historic visit to the presidential palace.

A Historic Meeting at Palacio de La Moneda

At the young age of 18, Fernando Cifuentes, the reigning Pokémon TCG World Champion, experienced a significant honor on Thursday. He, along with nine other Chilean competitors, was invited to the Palacio de La Moneda, the official residence of the President of Chile. During their visit, the group was warmly received at the presidential palace, where they enjoyed a hearty meal with the President and participated in a lively photo session. The Chilean government expressed immense pride and admiration for the nine players who had advanced to the second day of the competition. Esteemed government officials were also present to greet and congratulate the talented group.

President Boric, in his Instagram post, highlighted the positive impact of trading card games on young people, noting that these communities foster a spirit of collaboration and friendship through competition.

In addition to the recognition, Cifuentes received a large, framed custom card featuring himself and Iron Thorns, the Pokémon he used to clinch the championship. The card's inscription, translated from Spanish, reads: "Fernando and Iron Thorns. Ability: World Champion. Fernando Cifuentes, hailing from Iquique, made history as the first Chilean to be crowned world champion during the Pokémon World Championships 2024 Masters Finals in Honolulu, Hawaii."

It's noteworthy that the President of Chile is himself a Pokémon enthusiast. During his 2021 presidential campaign, he expressed his fondness for Squirtle. To celebrate his victory, the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs presented him with a Squirtle and Pokéball plushie as a gesture of appreciation for his love of the Pokémon anime.

Cifuentes’ Near-Elimination and Subsequent Win

Cifuentes' journey to the top was not without challenges. He narrowly avoided elimination in the Top 8 match against Ian Robb. Robb won the match but was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct—making an inappropriate gesture on camera. This unexpected turn of events led to Cifuentes facing Jesse Parker in the semifinals. Despite the setback, Cifuentes prevailed, defeating Parker and runner-up Seinosuke Shiokawa to win the $50,000 grand prize.

For more details on the 2024 Pokémon World Championship, check out our article below!