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. This remarkable event, which included a luncheon at Palacio de La Moneda, the presidential palace, celebrated Cifuentes' historic win and the achievements of nine other Chilean competitors who advanced to the second day of the World Championships.
The presidential reception highlighted the positive impact of competitive card games on youth, emphasizing the camaraderie and sportsmanship fostered within these communities. President Boric, himself a Pokémon enthusiast (a Squirtle fan, in fact!), personally greeted Cifuentes and his fellow players.
Cifuentes received a commemorative framed card featuring himself and his championship Pokémon, Iron Thorns. 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." This personalized gift underscores the national pride in Cifuentes' achievement.
Cifuentes' journey to victory 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, securing the $50,000 grand prize.
For a comprehensive recap of the 2024 Pokémon World Championships, please see our related article.
