Ved Bamb, a 23-year-old software engineer from Nagpur, has made history by becoming the first Indian player to qualify for the prestigious Pokémon World Championships. This milestone event is set to take place from August 16–18, 2024, in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
Ved's journey to the global stage is a monumental achievement for the Indian esports community. Competing in one of the world's most popular gaming events, he will be vying for a share of the $2 million prize pool.
India’s First Pokémon World Championships Competitor
In April 2024, Ved participated in the online qualification rounds in India, where he outshined over 500 competitors. After two intense qualification rounds, he advanced to the playoffs, facing off against India’s top 15 players. Remarkably, Ved won every match without a single loss, securing his place as the first Indian to compete in the Pokémon World Championships.
Pokémon GO, the game in which Ved excelled, is an augmented reality (AR) mobile game that’s part of the iconic Pokémon franchise. Developed and published by Niantic in collaboration with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, Pokémon GO has become a global phenomenon.
Niantic, the AR company, has built the Lightship platform, which powers the real-world metaverse and serves as the foundation for their hit games, including Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Peridot.
Ved Bamb's achievement not only highlights his exceptional gaming skills but also represents a significant moment for India's growing presence in the global esports arena.
Pokémon World Championships 2024: Rewards and Activities for Fans
The Pokémon World Championships 2024 are just around the corner, taking place this weekend in Honolulu, Hawaii. The best Pokémon players from around the globe will compete for the title of champion. It is also offering plenty of rewards and activities for fans watching from home.
Pokémon Fever will be in full swing worldwide, offering surprises for those watching the Twitch broadcasts. During the streams, fans can look forward to exclusive rewards in games like Pokémon Trading Card Game Live, Pokémon GO, and Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Special Pokémon celebrating past victories will be available through codes that will appear during the broadcasts. Additionally, fans can earn extras from Twitch Drops in Pokémon Unite through various channels.