Recently, the North American Pokémon International Championships 2024, short NAIC, took place. Making it to the finals is a dream for many players. However, not everyone sees themselves with a realistic chance.
What was the event like? The NAIC was the third and final International Championship of the 2024 season. Over the course of three days, numerous Pokémon players competed against each other. The competition was in the following categories:
- Pokémon Video Game (Scarlet and Violet)
- Pokémon TCG (Trading Card Game)
- Pokémon UNITE
- Pokémon GO
The best players are not only rewarded with attractive cash prizes. They also receive an invitation to the World Championship, which will take place this year in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Will I be the very best?
Over 4,300 players competed on the weekend of June 7 to 9 in New Orleans for the last chance to collect Championship Points for qualification to the upcoming World Championship.
Newer players naturally do not see themselves with great chances to reach the finals in such strong competition. This was also the case for the Pokémon GO player Ashtonash.
Who is the player? Carlos “Ashtonash” Rangel is a Pokémon GO player from Mexico. His highest placement so far has been ninth place in an American National Championship. Otherwise, he has only played in smaller, local tournaments.
How did it go for him? However, at the NAIC, Ashtonash experienced a big surprise. Game by game, he fought his way further to the top. Along the way, he defeated many experienced and well-known players, including Zarddy, one of the best Pokémon trainers in Brazil.
By the end of the second day of the tournament, it was clear: Ashtonash had actually made it to the finals. He would play his last rounds on Sunday. That day was solely reserved for the finals.
- The problem was: He had already booked his return flight for Sunday morning.
When he was asked about it on stage, he explained:
“I think anyone who comes here knows that it is a huge competition. Therefore, no one expects to make it to the third day. That was my mistake. I booked my return flight for 5 AM.”
Ashtonash (via YouTube)
Due to his unexpected success, he had to let go of the flight in order to make a name for himself in the grand final of the NAIC.
He played three times in the finals
How did the final go for Ashtonash? Final Sunday started with a match that couldn’t have been tighter. Ashtonash had to prove himself against Aiden “OutOfPoket” Hedderly, a successful Pokémon GO player who finished fourth in the 2022 World Championship, for example.
Both players were able to win two rounds – in the finals, a best of 5 is always played – before OutOfPoket could win the match.
You can watch the match in full here:
But it was still not over for Ashtonash. In the “Losers Final,” he had the opportunity to play himself into the ultimate “Grand Final.” His opponent here was LNDsTSteinar, a well-known player and promising candidate for the win.
But Ashtonash did the impossible: He won 3 to 0 and secured a rematch against OutOfPoket.
Ashtonash really made it to the “Grand Final.” The audience was also thrilled. Many on-site wished for a victory for OutOfPoket, as he represented the USA. But many were visibly cheering for Ashtonash – a true “underdog” who had made it so far to his own surprise.
Here you can see the “Grand Finals” of the NAIC 2024:
Ultimately, OutOfPoket decided the competition but with a decisive victory of 3 to 0.
Although Ashtonash could not take home the victory, it is still a great – and unexpected for him – achievement to have come this far.
His girlfriend also proudly said in an on-site interview: “This morning I told him: ‘I think this is the most important day of your life.’ He has practiced a lot for this. […] I think he really deserves this moment and I am very proud of him.” (via YouTube)
Another player generated less excitement at the NAIC. After an incident, some even called for punishment: At the Pokémon Championship, a trainer is accused of insulting his opponent – But it could also be because he is Italian.
