2025 Pokémon Worlds VGC champion Kevin Han wins historic first

Pokémon World Championship rival Kevin Han just won the 2025 Video Game Senior Championship title in Anaheim, California, making him the first to win the VGCPokémon world championship in junior and senior age groups. To make this achievement even more impressive, Han won these championships back to back, with a totally unbeaten record this year.

“I have nothing to say. It's an illusory feeling that I still can't believe it,” Han said after being asked about his unprecedented achievements.

Han is 12 years old from Pennsylvania, USA, facing Sian Lee from South Korea in the senior final. Han was beaten only twice last year when he was in the junior championship, one of which was in Lee's hands, which made the final especially unsettling match.

Before the game began, Han’s brother, Chris Han, was asked about what Kevin Han felt.
“I can tell you one thing, he's very nervous…but Kevin got it,” said Chris Han. “I don't have any advice, just trust your gut Kevin – you know exactly what to do.”

Chris Han’s belief in the brothers was real, and Kevin Han won 2-0.

“I think part of every game, my position goes up and I think I feel much better,” Kevin Han said. “Sometimes, if you’re too nervous, it can hurt you, but I think at least a little bit of nerve can help you a lot.”

Kevin Han won the second game against his ice bike rider Calyrex's Calyrex Lance, which was very effective against Lee's Lillaboom and powerful enough to complete the damage suffered by Zama Zenta.

Ray Rizzo was the only Pokémon competitor before, winning the VGC title in two divisions: the Senior Division in 2010, and then the Master Division in 2011. This makes Kevin Han the first ever contender able to win world titles in all three departments: junior, senior and master. We have to wait three years to get into the Masters division, where he might make history again.

Kevin Han's victory isn't the only history number one in this year's Pokémon World Championship. It is also the first ever champion to be held Sunday in a dedicated arena, not on the stage on the convention center floor.

Casey Defreitas is the deputy editor of the IGN Guide Team, and this year is her second time covering the Pokémon World Championships in Anaheim, California. Catch her social @shinycaseyd.