Exclusive Interview with Pokémon GO World Champion "Shrimp" on Balancing Academics and Gaming

During the recent Pokémon GO City Safari event in Hong Kong, we had the privilege of speaking with "Shrimp," the champion of the Pokémon GO PVP event at the 2024 Pokémon World Championships held in August in Honolulu, Hawaii. Despite being a high school student, he shared insights on how he manages to balance his academic responsibilities with competitive gaming.

Getting Started with Pokémon GO

Shrimp began his journey with Pokémon GO eight years ago, back in 2016. He reflected on the challenges of participating in international events, as most past competitions were held abroad, making it difficult for students like him to attend. "This was the first time an event was held locally in Hong Kong, and I was thrilled that both local and international friends could come together to enjoy it," he said.

Balancing Training and Studies

When asked about maintaining a balance between gaming and academics, Shrimp explained his structured approach. "I set up a weekly schedule where I focus on my studies from Monday to Thursday. I only squeeze in light gaming practice when I have free time. On weekends, after completing my assignments, I dedicate myself fully to training," he shared.

Family Support

Shrimp also discussed his family's initial concerns about gaming affecting his academic performance. "At first, my family was worried and opposed to my gaming. However, after some discussions, we reached an agreement that as long as my studies weren't affected, I could continue playing," he explained. They were supportive of his recent competition, seeing it as a valuable opportunity for growth and exposure.

Training Regimen for Success

Over the past year, Shrimp has actively participated in volunteer-run competitions abroad to hone his skills. "These competitions help reduce mistakes during major events, allowing me to make better decisions," he noted.

Learning from Competitors

He also highlighted the differences in training among players from different regions. "Asian players typically qualify for the World Championships through annual selection events, while European and American players gain experience through various qualifying tournaments. This leads to a wealth of competitive experience for them," he said. Shrimp emphasized the importance of learning from others through online resources, stating, "Many enthusiasts record and share their tournament experiences on platforms like YouTube, making it easier for players worldwide to learn new techniques." He credited Anicor, a dedicated player helping organize regular events in the Asia-Pacific region, for providing more opportunities to practice, especially after his loss last year.

Key Strengths and Future Goals

When asked about his strengths that helped him succeed at the World Championships, Shrimp mentioned his bilingual education in Hong Kong. "Being fluent in both English and Chinese has been a huge advantage. It allows me to communicate effectively with players from various backgrounds and access a wider range of strategy videos online," he said.

Looking Ahead

As he prepares to enter his final year of high school, Shrimp plans to focus on university entrance exams in the next couple of months. "Once I finish those, I'll return to training for the competitions in August 2025, with the goal of defending my world champion title," he shared.

Advice for Aspiring PVP Players

For those looking to get into PVP competitions, Shrimp recommends participating in the GO Battle League while also watching match recordings. "It's essential to learn from established players who share their strategies on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. Beginners should start by practicing with the teams of these players before diving into actual battles," he advised. He also pointed out several talented content creators from Taiwan who promote PVP, encouraging fans to support them.

Hoping for More Local Events

In closing, Shrimp expressed his hopes for more Pokémon GO events in Hong Kong. "It would be fantastic to have more local activities, so we can enjoy the fun of competitions without needing to travel abroad," he said.