The Pokken Tournament World Championships lived up to its name, as both of the titles at stake in San Francisco went to international players.
Sato “Potetin” Masami of Japan took top honors in the Masters Division championship on Saturday, while Josh “Woomy!Gun” Simmonite of the United Kingdom took home the Senior Division title. The Masters Division was open to players born in or before the year 2000, while younger players were placed in the Senior Division.
Potetin defeated fellow countryman Araki “Azazel” Takuma twice to secure the victory, scoring a 3-1 win in the winners’ final and a 3-0 win in the grand final. The two Japanese players took home half of the $20,000 prize pool, with Potetin earning $6,000 and Azazel earning $4,000.
Alexis “Deitylight” Sims of the United States placed third, one spot ahead of fellow American player Tevin “Teejay” Stokes. Two Japanese players tied for fifth: Matsui “Tanoshimi” Ryo and Evo runner-up Ageta “Buntan” Kazunori. Another pair of American players, Wesley “Bim?” Murray and Christian “Suicune Master” Patierno, rounded out the top eight.
Potetin, Buntan, and Suicune Master also finished among the top eight at Evo in July. Buntan finished in second place at that event to qualify for the World Championship. Japan’s Abe “Tonosama” Hisharu won that event to qualify for this weekend’s championship, but he was unable to compete.
On the Senior Division side, Woomy!Gun held off a challenge from Dale “Bolimar” Causey of the United States to win the title and a trip four to Hawaii. Wayland Lindsay, who won the US National Championship last month, finished in third place.
The championships were decided at the Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco. In addition to the Pokken finals, the event also hosts world championships for the Pokémon video game and trading card game. Finals for those events will take place today.
