Douglasville 11-Year-Old WIns Pokémon State Championship

After a full day of head-to-head Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) battles, Keegan Abley earned the coveted title of Pokémon State Champion while competing at the 2013 Pokémon TCG State Championships held in Duluth on March 9. Keegan prevailed in the event which brought together hundreds of competitors and triumphed as the only Junior player from Georgia to hold the title. For his win, the Douglasville-native also received a travel stipend to compete at the 2013 Pokémon U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana this June, as well as Championship Points that count toward a potential invite to the 2013 Pokémon World Championships in Vancouver, Canada this August.

"Earning the title of Pokémon State Champion is a huge honor and moves these elite players one step closer to competing at the 2013 Pokémon World Championships,” said J.C. Smith, director of Consumer Marketing for The Pokémon Company International. “Congratulations to everyone who participated at the Georgia Pokémon TCG State Championships.”

Pokémon Organized Play competitors are divided equally into three divisions: Junior Division (born in 2002 or later), Senior Division (born in 1998–2001), and Masters Division (born in 1997 or earlier). Players of all ages and skill levels in good standing are encouraged to participate in premier events that guarantee competitors the opportunity to play in multiple rounds, no matter what their win-loss record is.

For more information on tournament rules, regulations, and prizes as well as how to get involved in local leagues or participate in future tournaments taking place in Georgia and throughout the Douglasville region, please visit www.pokemon.com/play.

For more information, go to the official Pokémon Facebook page and follow Pokémon on Twitter @Pokemon for the latest Pokémon news and fun!