Pokémon World Championships 2024: The kids who are competing

Declan is one of the youngest juniors playing at the games

People of all ages and genders from across the world travel to take part in the Pokémon World Championships.

To qualify and be invited is a major achievement in the games.

The competition splits players into age categories - Junior (age 12 or under), Senior (12-16) and Masters (16 up).

We spoke to some of the UK Juniors who have qualified for the competition.

Declan

Declan started playing the Pokémon games just 18 months ago

Nine-year-old Declan from Portsmouth has qualified to compete at the games this year for the first time.

He will be playing against hundreds of other children from around the world to win the prize of £50,000.

Declan has been collecting Pokémon cards since he was very little but started playing the games just 18 months ago.

When we asked him what he was most excited about for the games, he said:

“I am really excited about seeing my Pokémon friends, as I don’t see them that often.”

Declan played in his local leagues before advancing to bigger competitions

After joining the local league where he lives and really enjoying it, he started to apply and play at bigger competitions.

Declan went on to compete at regional competitions across Europe including in Lille, Stockholm, Stuttgart, and Utrecht.

His results here meant that he had enough points to qualify for the World Championships.

He was thrilled to go but is nervous for the games, as he is one of the youngest juniors.

Declan said: “I am confident in the deck I have chosen to play with and am looking forward to the event, but I know it will be tough as the US and Japan have great players. “

Tommy

Tommy has travelled to Hawaii to take part in the games

Tommy is 10 years old and has been playing Pokémon since he got the cards for his seventh birthday.

Like Declan he joined local leagues near where he lived in Bath.

And then began playing in regional and international competitions, where he managed to collect enough points to secure his place at the 2024 World Championships in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Tommy said he has prepared for the games by practising lots!

"My friends don't play Pokémon so I haven't played any of them, but my dad arranged a training day. People booked slots to come and battle me at our local shop."

Tommy enjoys the maths involved in the game

Tommy's favourite thing about playing Pokémon is "Collecting and competing."

He explained that "I probably have about 7000 cards at home. I like the maths involved, I like the artwork on the cards. I like playing new sets and seeing what's changed in the game."

He is very excited to take part in the games and says the atmosphere over in Hawaii is adding to that.

"There are people playing Pokémon everywhere. It's very exciting.

"I get to play Pokémon and compete in the world championships against good players, some of the best in the world."