7-year-old Simone Lim, the New Oceania Pokemon Champion

Lim was against Justin Miranda-Radbord, the favourite to win and the reigning champion. He had previously won multiple International Championships, including the last year’s Championship title himself. Lim was the literal defining aspect of what every Pokémon trainer’s dream is; the underdog to one day become the very best. Her win was met with happy and wholesome moments. Truly, this will be one of the biggest moments in competitive gaming history.

The Pokémon Dream

For generations, Pokémon fans have strived and dreamed of becoming the best, like no one ever was. Over the course of the weekend, a young seven-year-old Simone Lim won the Pokémon Oceania International Championships held in Melbourne, Australia. Pokémon fans and trainers alike came from all corners of the world to participate and aim for the glory that is champion. 

The Junior Championship grand final for Pokémon Sword and Shield showcased an amazing amount of talent and strategy, pitting the best of the best of the young generation together in a thrilling experience. But as a newcomer, Simone Lim has showcased her prowess in her Pokémon battling skills by winning the tournament against other kids at least twice her age.

https://twitter.com/VGCVictoryRoad/status/1231415567535529984

Lim was pitted against Justin Miranda-Radbord, the favourite to win and the reigning champion. He had previously won multiple International Championships, including the prior year’s title. As such, Lim was the literal defining aspect of what every Pokémon trainer’s dream is; the underdog to one day become the very best. Her win was met with happy and wholesome moments. Truly, this will be one of the biggest moments in competitive gaming history.

this morning 7-year old Simone Lim won a major Pokémon Junior Championship beating out a field of older more experienced kids, upsetting the tournament favorite champion #1 seed in the final, and doing so with an incredible read to earn her the title

esports is for everyone pic.twitter.com/5cUfsd5ZiQ

— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) February 24, 2020

A defining moment for esports

While esports while growing in popularity, is still not mainstream in today’s society. Lim’s win, however, showcases to the world how truly accessible esports has become, as well as showing the world the existence of competitive Pokémon. We’re in an age where champions can come from any age, background, and sex; where the most unlikely person can blow the competition out of the water. Simone Lim’s win is a literal defining step in esports history. Only the future can dictate what else she’ll achieve. Till then, she’ll be an inspiration to us all.