Chilean President Honors Pokémon TCG World Champion
Fernando Cifuentes, the 18-year-old Pokémon TCG World Champion, received an extraordinary honor: a meeting with the President of Chile. On Thursday, Cifuentes and nine fellow Chilean competitors were invited to Palacio de La Moneda, the presidential palace, for a special luncheon and photo opportunity with President Gabriel Boric.
The Chilean government expressed immense pride in Cifuentes and the other competitors who advanced to the second day of the World Championships. The event was attended by several high-ranking government officials. President Boric, in an Instagram post, highlighted the positive social impact of trading card games, emphasizing their role in fostering collaboration and friendship among young people.
Cifuentes received a commemorative framed card featuring himself and Iron Thorns, the Pokémon that secured his victory. The card inscription reads: "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." The President's familiarity with Iron Thorns reflects his own interest in Pokémon; he famously declared Squirtle his favorite Pokémon during his 2021 presidential campaign.
A Dramatic Path to Victory
Cifuentes' journey to the championship was far from easy. He narrowly escaped 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, where he ultimately defeated Jesse Parker and runner-up Seinosuke Shiokawa, claiming the $50,000 prize.
For a comprehensive recap of the 2024 Pokémon World Championships, please see our related article.
