Pokémon TCG World Champion Honored by the President of Chile

Chile's 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 took place at Palacio de La Moneda, the presidential palace, on Thursday.

The visit included a luncheon with President Boric and a group photo session with nine fellow Chilean competitors. The Chilean government publicly lauded Cifuentes and his fellow competitors for their achievements at the World Championships. Government officials joined the President in congratulating the talented group.

President Boric's Instagram post highlighted the positive social impact of trading card games, emphasizing the collaborative spirit fostered within these competitive communities.

Cifuentes received a commemorative framed card featuring himself and Iron Thorns, his championship Pokémon. The card's inscription reads: "Fernando and Iron Thorns. Ability: World Champion. Fernando Cifuentes, from Iquique, made history as the first Chilean world champion at the Pokémon World Championships 2024 Masters Finals in Honolulu, Hawaii."

President Boric's Pokémon fandom adds a unique dimension to this story. A known Pokémon enthusiast (his favorite is Squirtle), he received a Squirtle plushie from the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2021.

Cifuentes' Victory: A Narrow Escape

Cifuentes' journey to victory was dramatic. He narrowly avoided elimination in the Top 8 after his opponent, Ian Robb, was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct. This unexpected turn of events propelled him to the semifinals against Jesse Parker, a match he ultimately won, securing the $50,000 grand prize and defeating runner-up Seinosuke Shiokawa.

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