Country: Japan
Deck: Crowned Tiger
Interesting Fact: Went from Last Chance Qualifier to World Champion!

Tsubasa Nakamura went all the way to the semi-finals before losing his first battle. "It was against an Infernape/Luxray deck," he recalls. Using his opponent's own attacks to his advantage, he ultimately moved on to take the title of World Champion. He's come a long way from the beginner's class in his neighborhood store where he began playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game four years ago...to the Last Chance Qualifier with hundreds of other players...to where he fought his winning match to become the best in the world. And yet Tsubasa's greatest pleasure in playing is still the simplest: "I enjoy taking a Prize card," he says.

Country: Japan
Deck: Flying Tiger
Interesting Fact: Plans some innovative training methods in preparation for Worlds 2010!

Takuto Itagaki hopes that one day soon, the Pokémon World Championships will be held in Japan. Traveling, however, doesn't seem to hinder his ability to win - he took second place in 2008 in the Junior Division while in Orlando, Florida. This year, his first in the Senior Division, he raised the bar by becoming World Champion in San Diego. Now in his seventh year of playing, he shows no sign of slowing down in the future; he still practices every day with his younger brother and his father. But what's the coolest thing to come out of his impressive standing as an amazing Pokémon player? "I'm more popular in school," he admits.

Country: United States
Deck: Luxdrill
Interesting Fact: He has played for ten years

Stephen Silvestro first and foremost thanks his dad, John, for helping him prepare for his magnificent victory at Worlds. "He's been so helpful," Stephen says, "and my best friend." His best friend certainly steered him true during the 20 hours a week that they play together. Stephen's rise to the top had him battle the National Champions of Portugal, Italy, and France before defeating the National Champion from the United Kingdom in the finals. And what will Stephen do differently next year when he goes to Hawaii to defend his title? "Nothing at all," he says. His current road to victory has worked perfectly.

Country: United States
Pokémon Team:
Ludicolo
Kingdra
Vaporeon
Metagross
Toxicroak
Slowbro

Country: Japan
Pokémon Team:
Ludicolo
Toxicroak
Metagross
Snorlax
Salamence
Empoleon