Richmond’s Randy Kwa chuckles when he considers himself to be “old” at 26.
But he’s certainly not washed up when it comes to being a force in the realm of competitive Pokémon video gaming.
In fact, the accounting student feels his years spent building up experience and knowledge of the characters in the game count as a plus that recently helped him win a regional competition held in the Portland suburb of Clackamas, Oregon.
“I guess I’m kinda old. Most of the players at this level are either in high school or just starting college,” said Kwa whose win as Regional Champion last month at the 2016 Pokémon Winter Regional Championships puts him one step closer to the coveted invitation to play at the 2016 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco this August.
In 1999, Kwa started playing the video game that swept to popularity two decades ago.
It features fictional characters with personalized powers that are used in battle against other Pokémon.
Kwa said his experience to pre-select the most capable characters when going head to head in competition with another player was key.
So was thinking quickly on his feet during the heat of battle.
And he proved that skill by going undefeated in 24 rounds where he vanquished all comers in the best of three duals.
While Kwa earned a trophy and some Pokémon product prizes, it’s the chance to tackle international opponents this summer at the world championships that has him excited.
“I am one small step closer to that,” he said.
Players who achieve a high ranking in championship points ranking following the U.S. National Championships in Columbus, Ohio this July will earn a coveted spot to compete among the most elite players from more than 30 countries at the world championships.
When away from the competitive video game arena, Kwa said he is studying to become a certified professional accountant and works for his parents’ business.
