Pokémon Champions Reveals Bizarre ‘Champion of Champions’ Showmatch for July 29

Nintendo has announced a peculiar new event for Pokémon Champions called the “Champion of Champions” showmatch, set to take place in London on July 29. According to Insider Gaming, the exhibition will bring together eight competitors who are all “champions” in wildly different fields, from competitive whistling to championship pizza tossing, rather than seasoned Pokémon players.

The showmatch will be coached by Ray Rizzo, a three-time Pokémon World Champion and well-known figure on the Video Game Championships (VGC) competitive circuit, as reported by Insider Gaming. Rizzo’s involvement is meant to guide the non-Pokémon specialists through the battles, adding a mentorship layer to what is otherwise designed as a light-hearted spectacle rather than a serious competitive tournament.

Who’s Competing in the Champion of Champions Showmatch?

Insider Gaming confirmed four of the eight competitors so far, and their credentials are far removed from traditional esports. Ayna Ziordia Botella of Spain holds the title of Whistling Champion, having reportedly won first place at the Master of Whistling competition in Hollywood back in 2023.

Italy’s Nicola Matarazzo is recognized as the Pizza Acrobatics Champion after placing first at the World Pizza Championship earlier this year for his dough-tossing tricks. Representing the United States is Leandro Silva, a professional MMA fighter who also happens to hold the title of Pillow Fighting Champion after winning the Pillow Fight Championship (PFC).

Perhaps the most unusual accolade belongs to Denis Kwan Hong-Wang of Hong Kong, billed as the Doing Nothing Champion. Insider Gaming notes that Hong-Wang won a competition against roughly 100 other participants by sitting motionless on a yoga mat for 90 minutes without sleeping, making noise, or checking his phone. The remaining four competitors have not yet been revealed by Nintendo.

What’s at Stake for the Winner?

Despite the tongue-in-cheek premise, there is a genuine prize on offer. According to Insider Gaming, the eventual winner of the Champion of Champions showmatch will receive a trip to the 2027 Pokémon World Championships, alongside a charitable donation made in their name to a charity of their choosing.

The format positions the event as a fun, cross-promotional showcase for Pokémon Champions rather than a proving ground for competitive VGC talent, leaning into the novelty of pitting real-world “champions” against each other in Pokémon battles under Rizzo’s guidance.

How and When to Watch

The showmatch is scheduled to take place in London on July 29, though Insider Gaming notes that in-person attendance appears unlikely for fans. Instead, the event will be broadcast live on the official Pokémon Twitch channel and the official Pokémon YouTube channel.

Coverage is set to begin at 2 PM BST, which translates to 7 PM EST for viewers in the United States, as reported by Insider Gaming. No Twitch Drops have been announced for the broadcast at this time.

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