Chilean President Honors Pokémon TCG World Champ

The Pokémon TCG World Champion was honored with a meeting with the President of Chile. Read on to learn more about their meeting and Cifuentes’ exceptional journey to the top.

From Pokémon TCG Champion to Breakfast with the President of ChileA Historic Meeting at Palacio de La Moneda

At just 18-years old, Fernando Cifuentes, the reigning Pokémon TCG World Champion, received a remarkable honor on Thursday when he and nine fellow Chilean competitors were invited to Palacio de La Moneda, the official residence of the President of Chile.

During their visit, the group had a warm welcome at the presidential palace, enjoying a hearty meal with the President and participating in a lively photo session. The Chilean government also expressed its immense pride and admiration for the nine players who had advanced to the second day of the competition. In addition to the President, other distinguished government officials were present to greet and congratulate the talented group.

In his Instagram post, President Boric highlighted the positive impact of trading card games on young people, noting that these communities foster a spirit of collaboration and friendship through competition.

In addition to the commendation, Cifuentes received a large, framed personalized card showcasing himself and Iron Thorns, the Pokémon he utilized to secure the championship. The card's inscription, translated from Spanish, reads: "Fernando and Iron Thorns. Attribute: World Champion. Fernando Cifuentes, from Iquique, created history as the first Chilean to be crowned world champion at the Pokémon World Championships 2024 Masters Finals in Honolulu, Hawaii."

It's unsurprising that the Chilean President is acquainted with Iron Thorns. He is a devoted Pokémon enthusiast. During his 2021 presidential campaign, when queried about his preferred Pokémon, he expressed his affection for Squirtle. To commemorate his victory, the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs gifted him a Squirtle and Pokéball plush as a token of appreciation for his love of the Pokémon anime.

Cifuentes’ Near-Elimination and Subsequent Win

Cifuentes’ path to victory wasn't without its challenges. He barely escaped elimination in the Top 8 match against Ian Robb. Robb won the match but was disqualified for unsporting behavior—making an inappropriate gesture on camera. This surprising turn of events resulted in Cifuentes unexpectedly facing Jesse Parker in the semifinals. Despite this, Cifuentes triumphed, defeating Parker and runner-up Seinosuke Shiokawa to claim the $50,000 grand prize.

For more details on the 2024 Pokémon World Championship, check out our article below!