POKÉMON ANNOUNCES 2006 U.S. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS WINNERS

 

After a Competitive 2005–2006 Tournament Season, the Top Players Claim the World Champion Title

 

BELLEVUE, Wash.—August 29, 2006—Pokémon USA, Inc., a worldwide leader in trading card games, today announced the winners at the Pokémon® Trading Card Game (TCG) World Championships. Players from all over the world – more than 30 countries – competed at this year’s 2006 Worlds. Top finishers were represented from countries including the U.S., Japan, the Netherlands, and Finland. The winners in the 10 and younger age category: Hiroki Yano of Japan, Spencer Duncan of Michigan, Arnoud van Bemmelen of the Netherlands; in the 11 to 14 category: Miska Saari of Finland, David Booij of the Netherlands, and Tad Wheeler of Ohio; and in the 15 and older category: Jason Klaczynski of Illinois, Jimmy Ballard of Illinois, and Jeremy Maron of Pennsylvania. In addition to being named a World Champion and finalist, these players also earned scholarship awards worth more than $100,000 total, invitations to the 2007 World Championships, Travel Awards, and additional Pokemon prizes.

 

The competition took place in Anaheim, Calif., August 18–20. This was an invite-only event, and players participated in qualifying tournaments to receive an invitation. The Worlds Championships allowed hundreds of players from around the globe to battle head-to-head for the ultimate title of Pokémon World Champion. Next year, those players lucky and skilled enough to earn invites will do battle for the 2007 title in beautiful and exotic Kona, Hawaii.

 

Players can get involved with Pokémon TCG by visiting www.op.pokemon-tcg.com.

 

WHO: U.S. Pokémon World Champion winners

 

WHAT: 2006 Pokémon TCG World Championships

 

WHEN: August 18–20, 2006

 

WHERE: Hilton Anaheim, Anaheim, Calif.

 

For more information, please visit http://op.pokemon-tcg.com/. For an interview with any of the players, contact Ashley Allman.