While Singaporeans regularly get updates on athletes who do us proud in international competitions, less is heard about Singaporeans who succeed in other pursuits.
Perhaps that should change — recently, a 23-year-old Singaporean man finished fifth place at the Pokémon World Championships In Japan.
Source: Pokemon Singapore on Facebook
His achievement bagged him a total of S$6,800 in prize money.
According to a Facebook post from Toys Terminal, a collectables store, they sent two players from Singapore to the Pokémon World Championships In Japan from 11 to 13 Aug.
The event saw players compete in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) as well as the video game, Pokémon GO and Pokémon UNITE.
The two Singaporean players from the Toys Terminal team were 13-year-old JKen Hoh and 23-year-old Dionsius Lee.
Team Singapore players JKen Hoh (front row, left) and Dionsius Lee (right). Source: Toys Terminal on Facebook
It was the first time both of them were playing in the competition.
Mr Lee played in the Pokémon TCG Masters age division for those born in 2006 or earlier.
Source: Toys Terminal on Facebook
JKen, however, played in the senior age division for those born between 2007 and 2010. The Junior age division is for those born in 2011 or later.
Mr Lee ended up finishing fifth in the Masters age division. He was defeated in Round 9 by American Azul Garcia Griego, who went on to finish fourth.
Source: Pokemon.com
JKen trounced his opponent 5-0 on day one but suffered a 2-5 reverse on day two.
According to the competition’s website, a fifth placing will get a player over 18 US$5,000 (S$6,788) in cash.
They can also choose to get a scholarship of the same amount.
Besides that, Mr Lee got merchandise like a “Top Trainer” messenger bag, Worlds promo cards, a playmat and hats.
The exceptional player who wins the title of World Champion will get more than US$1 million (S$1.36 million) in prizes.
In an interview with Pokémon Singapore, Mr Lee said he was very happy to be placed in the top 8.
He added that his placing makes him feel like all his hard work paid off.
However, he stated that his participation in the biggest Pokémon world tournament was “unexpected” as he’s “fairly new” to the competitive scene.
In fact, it was the second major tournament that he’d participated in.
The first one was ostensibly the Pokémon Championships 2023 Singapore, where he became champion, according to Toys Terminal.
He prepared for the Pokémon World Championships by putting in a lot of practice and training with friends, but when day one came around, he “cleared my (his) mind”, he said.
That involved not thinking about Pokémon for the day to allow himself to fully focus on the competition.
Mr Lee isn’t the only Singaporean who has made waves in Pokémon competitions overseas.
In 2020, seven-year-old Singaporean girl Simone Lim became champion of the 2020 Pokémon Oceania International Championships Junior Division.
Kudos to all the Singaporeans who’re making Singapore proud with their achievements in Pokémon competitions.
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from Pokemon Singapore on Facebook and Toys Terminal on Facebook.
"To me, bamboo bee plum means plum shaped like bamboo bees", said the customer.
The passenger claimed they were treated like criminals over a tuna sandwich.
The boy is an only child to the single mum.
Authorities had to use equipment to pry the vehicle open to free the man.
The authorities have investigated and closed the incident with no follow-ups required, MFA said.
He crossed the border daily in hopes of buying a house for his family.