2013 World Championships

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The 2013 Pokémon World Championships were held at the East Building of the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from August 9 to 11, 2013. It marked the tenth invitation-only championships for players of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as the fifth for players of the Pokémon video games. For the first time, the World Championships were being held outside of the United States.

This year marked the only time that all four semifinalists in the TCG Masters Division were from the United States. In all other years of the tournament, at least one semifinalist was from outside of the United States; in the 2007 World Championships, all four semifinalists were not American.

Trading Card Game Championships

The Pokémon Trading Card Game continued with the 2012-13 Modified format, using all cards from Black & White onward. Players were able to receive invites from outstanding performances at their country's National Championships, the previous year's World Championships, or through the number of Championship Points they obtained throughout the year. In addition, players could win an invitation during the Last Chance Qualifier on the first day of the tournament.

The second day of the tournament featured seven Swiss Rounds for the Junior Division, the Senior and Masters Divisions playing eight. At the end of rounds, the top players in each division were seeded into single-elimination tournaments, with the finals being played on Sunday, to determine each division's World Champion.

Junior Division

Shuto Itagaki of Japan was the defending Junior Division TCG World Champion; however, he became eligible for the Senior Division in 2013, where he finished in 72nd place after day two.

Ondrej Kujal of the Czech Republic became the new Junior Division TCG World Champion, finishing with a record of 10-1.

Senior Division

Chase Moloney of Canada was the defending Senior Division TCG World Champion; however, he became eligible for the Masters Division in 2013. There, Chase advanced to the Round of 16, where he finished in 15th place.

Kaiwen Cabbabe of Australia posted a perfect 13-0 record to win the Senior Division title.

Masters Division

Igor Costa of Portugal was the defending Masters Division TCG World Champion. Igor chose to withdraw after the final round of swiss, with a record of 2-6.

Jason Klaczynski of the United States made history by winning his third World Championship in the Masters Division, previously winning in 2006 and 2008. In addition to putting up an 11-2 record for the main event, Jason also qualified for the tournament through the year's Last Chance Qualifier, giving him a final weekend record of 17-2.

Video Game Championships

This year, participants used Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. All matches were conducted via Double Battles and any Pokémon in the National Pokédex can be entered, with the exception of Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, Deoxys, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Keldeo, Meloetta and Genesect.

Similar to Flat Battle mode, Pokémon of Levels 51 and above were temporarily reduced to Level 50, while Pokémon Level 50 and below would retain their levels. Held items may be used, but no two Pokémon from the same team may hold the same held item. Players are not allowed to change their held items after they have registered, and can only use items from within the game and those received at an official Pokémon event or promotion.

Moves were restricted to those learned from the game through leveling up, breeding, TMs and HMs, from a character in the game or from an official event or promotion. Sky Drop and Dark Void are banned in this format, with Sky Drop being banned due to a glitch.

In addition, the Wonder Launcher was not permitted to be used.

Junior Division

Abram Burrows of the United States was the defending Junior Division Pokémon Video Game World Champion; however, he became eligible for the Senior Division in 2013, where he finished in 21st place after day two.

Brendan Zheng of the United States became the new World Champion in the Junior Division, winning with a perfect 9-0 record.

Senior Division

Toler Webb of the United States was the defending Senior Division Pokémon Video Game World Champion; however, he became eligible for the Masters Division in 2013, where he finished in 12th place after day two.

Hayden McTavish of the United States won the the Seniors Division Pokémon Video Game World Championship with a final record of 7-2.

Masters Division

Ray Rizzo of the United States was the three-time defending Masters Division Pokémon Video Game World Champion. Ray's fortune would not continue this year, finding losses in rounds one, four and six, finishing in 26th place, right behind rival Wolfe Glick in 25th.

Arash Ommati of Italy became the new VG World Champion in Masters, playing to an 8-1 record. Arash is the only European player to win the Pokémon Video Game World Championships in any division.

External links

• Official site