The 2011 Pokémon Video Game National Champions!

Congratulations to these Pokémon Trainers who rose to the top of the pack at the Indiana Convention Center:

Junior Division Champion: Henry Maxon (Carnation, Washington)
Junior Division Runner-Up: Brendan Zheng (Fresh Meadows, New York)

Senior Division Champion: Aaron Zheng (Fresh Meadows, New York)
Senior Division Runner-Up: David Arnold (Frankfort, Illinois)

Masters Division Champion: Wolfe Glick (McLean, Virginia)
Masters Division Runner-Up: Dan Zollner (Edgewater Park, New Jersey)

After their Finals matches, we sat down with each Champion to hear what they thought of their battles, and of the experience of playing at the National Championships.

Henry Maxon, Junior Division Champion

How are you feeling about becoming Champion?

I’m really excited. I’ve been playing Pokémon since I was 3 or 4, and I’m 11 now. This is my first year playing in the Video Game Championships though.

What did you do to train the team you brought today?

I did a lot of battles against people I knew. I changed a lot of stuff around to counter other Junior Division strategies I was seeing.

What strategies did you use that you didn’t see anyone else using?

Well, I used Trick Room, but not with really slow Pokémon. I think it surprised a lot of people. I also used the Rage Powder and Spore attacks, but I saw a lot of other people using those, too.

Do you think you’ll make changes to your team leading up to the World Championships?

I probably will. I thought my team was almost perfect at Regionals and here, but I will still make a few changes.

What was the turning point for your final battle?

I think the turning point for my battle was when I used Protect with my Bisharp. He had Terrakion out, which I took out with my Amoonguss’ Giga Drain attack.

How are you going to celebrate?

I’m not sure. I met a lot of really cool players here this weekend, so I’m probably going to go out to dinner with some of them.

Aaron Zheng, Senior Division Champion

Congratulations, Aaron. How do you feel?

I feel so good right now. It takes a lot of stress off my shoulders. I came into this tournament really hoping to win a trip to Worlds. And when I earned the trip by making the top 4, I relaxed a little. Then I kept on going and going. So, I’m really happy.

Before we talk about your performance, your brother was runner-up in the Junior Division. What do you think about his match?

I’m so impressed. He was only seven years old when he started last year, and ever since he began he surprises me. I helped him come up with a team, but he also understands the strategies well. Even when I think he’s going to struggle, he finds a way to win.

Let’s talk about your Finals match. How did it break down?

I lost the first game, and it forced me to rethink my strategy during the Finals. I played David [Arnold, Senior Division Champion] at Regionals so I was expecting him to use a similar team. I led with a strategy that I thought would counter that team. He completely outplayed me. So after the first match, I switched up my strategy in the second match. And even though I won the second match, I changed my strategy again to stay one step ahead.

How did you train this particular team?

I have a lot of Trainer friends who helped me put together this team, both by trading Pokémon and by battling against them. I started putting this together pretty late, and my final team was pretty well in place by about two weeks before the National Championships.

Did you employ any strategies that you didn’t see your opponents playing?

Well, I used a really fast Amoonguss, which ended up being a big advantage. I thought it would help, knowing what the popular Pokémon in the field would be. And it’s something I didn’t see at all. I also had my Terrakion hold Choice Scarf and use Rock Slide to good effect.

When you go to the World Championships, will you be making any adjustments?

I really don’t have any idea what I’m going to use at Worlds. I went in 2008 and got knocked out in the first round. Then I just missed out on an invitation last year, so right now I’m just glad to make it back.

It seems that you and your brother are developing quite a rivalry against the Arnold family.

The Arnolds are so nice. I think it’s really cool how the whole family plays. It seems like they all just play flawlessly. My brother had to play Grace Arnold at Regionals and then twice this weekend. He said she was his toughest opponent, hands down. And I played an incredible match against David. He’s just so good. I feel fortunate.

How are you going to celebrate?

Well, I have a lot of friends here. We’re probably just going to get together tonight and hang out.

Wolfe Glick, Masters Division Champion

First, Congratulations!

Thanks! It feels really good. I think I'm the youngest Masters Champion ever... I've been in the Masters Division for only one month.

How are you feeling now after becoming the Champion?

I'm still a little jittery and nervous, but I'm still glad I did so well, considering how my matches went.

How do you mean?

Well, I feel like I got horrible luck. My main strategy was to use Trick Room. I tried it four times, but every time I did I either got Paralyzed or I flinched.

So did you finally use Trick Room successfully?

I did, but by the time I used it, it didn't matter as much. I was able to survive using other strategies.

How did you train this team?

Well, I played a lot with my friends online to practice. I think this is the 207th team I put together and tested. I'd try a team, and something wouldn't work, so I kept changing and testing extensively. I tried all kinds of scenarios, and it really helped. I practiced a lot against [Senior Division Champion] Aaron Zheng, and he's such a good player. I learned a lot from him.

What do you think is unique about your strategy with this team?

Well, my strategy is built around Trick Room, something I didn't see on any other team in my division. It used to be super popular, but this year not at all. I feel like my team is interesting in that when other people use it, it doesn't do as well. I've really built it to my style of battle.

Do you consider your party complicated to play then?

I don't want to make it sound like other people aren't putting together good teams. I just think that my party is risky, but has high reward—probably more than most Trainers are used to. It also requires a lot of focus.

What do you feel was the turning point in your match?

I felt like I was outguessing Dan a lot. I just had a good idea of what he was going to do next. Even though I couldn't use Trick Room when I wanted, I was able to just stay around, spread damage, and take out his items. Finally when I used Trick Room, I was able to put my opponent away quickly.

How are you going to prepare for Worlds?

I'm not 100% happy with how my team played today, so I'll go back and do some modifications and testing. If I can find something better I'll use it. So, I'll make at least some modifications. The core of my team that benefits from Trick Room will remain.

How will you celebrate your championship?

I plan to fly home to Virginia tonight and do fireworks with my family!

Return to the Pokémon National Championships homepage.