A 7-year-old girl from Singapore has just fulfilled her destiny to become the very best Pokémon trainer, like no one ever was.
Simone Lim claimed her rightful place by winning the top spot at the Pokémon Oceania International Championships on Sunday.
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
Pokémon trainers from all over the world participated in the event held in Melbourne, Australia over the weekend, Mashable reported.
Participants competed in video and card game tournaments including the Junior Championships grand final for “Pokémon Sword and Shield,” which Lim eventually won.
Lim, who came in as a relative newcomer in the world of Pokémon training, won not just the cash prize but also the hearts of everyone who witnessed her finals match.
SIMONE LIM IS THE CUTEST PERSON ALIVE AND IM SO HAPPY SHES THE CHAMPION ILL BE HER ELITE 4 MEMBER ANY DAY
— Mahamaon (@neatoking) February 23, 2020
Lim impressed many after showing a true champion’s form when she faced an older and more experienced Pokémon trainer named Justin Miranda-Radbord.
Yo, she’s gotta be like 7 years old, but legit, Simone Lim is one of the most impressive trainers I’ve seen in a while. That was an INCREDIBLE battle. #PokemonVGC #Oceania
— Stephen Deck #SwitchCorps #VitaIsland (@ElkinFencer10) February 23, 2020
Having previously won multiple International Championships, Miranda-Radbord was a favorite in the tournament.
Miranda-Radbord just came off a win during last year’s Oceania title and was seeded first in the tournament. He was also heavily favored by many to win the finals match as he had no losses throughout the event.
Lim, on the other hand, was still in her first competitive season. Having placed in the top four in two regional tournaments, and was seeded seventh at the 2020 Oceania International Championship, which is her first major tournament.
The Junior finals match was decided in the third game after Lim and Miranda-Radbord each took a victory.
In the final stretch of the third match, Miranda-Radbord nearly decimated Lim’s entire lineup, leaving just one Pokémon. Lim’s Rock/Dark-type Tyranitar was up against Miranda-Radbord’s last two: the Ground/Rock-type Rhypherior and Ghost-type Dusclops.
Lim was able to take the upper hand in the end by effectively reading her opponent’s late-stage moves.
In an interview after the game, Lim shared that she figured Miranda-Radbord would use Protect on his Rhypherior. With that in mind, she used her Tyranitar’s Crunch to attack the Dusclops first, then attacking Rhypherior with Superpower to win the game.
This girl just beat a kid twice her age to become the Oceania Jrs Division champion in Pokemon. She thanked her friends & family while clutching her Eevee plush.
Forget that guy who said you have to get mad to be a good competitor. Wholesome esports is good for the soul, y’all. pic.twitter.com/QCO9tS3OBK
— Jason (@jasonthinks) February 23, 2020
Lim said the victory made her happy and noted that she is thankful for her friends, family and coach.
Feature Image via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel
