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. On Thursday, Cifuentes and nine fellow Chilean competitors were invited to Palacio de La Moneda, the presidential palace, for a luncheon and photo opportunity with President Gabriel Boric.
The Chilean government lauded the players' achievements, highlighting their advancement to the second day of the World Championships. High-ranking officials joined the President in congratulating the talented group. President Boric's Instagram post praised the positive community and collaborative spirit fostered by trading card games.
Cifuentes received a personalized 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 2024 Pokémon World Championships Masters Finals in Honolulu, Hawaii."
President Boric's Pokémon fandom adds a unique element to the story. A known fan himself (with Squirtle as his favorite), he received a Squirtle plushie from the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2021.
A Thrilling Path to Victory
Cifuentes' journey was far from easy. He narrowly escaped elimination in the Top 8, benefiting from Ian Robb's disqualification for unsportsmanlike conduct. This unexpected turn of events led to a semifinal match against Jesse Parker, which Cifuentes won, ultimately defeating Seinosuke Shiokawa to claim the $50,000 prize.
For a comprehensive recap of the 2024 Pokémon World Championships, see our related article.
