Pokémon TCG World Champion (11-14) 2006:
Miska Saari
| Miska Saari's little brothers were so excited to find out he was a 2006 Pokémon TCG World Champion that they jumped up and down, shouting, in the kitchen of their home in Rajamäki, Finland. If Miska is able to repeat that victory this year, he should be able to hear them shouting from a much shorter distance, as they will be traveling with him to Kona, Hawaii, for the 2007 competition. Along with their mother, Miska and his brothers will be coming to the World Championships in Kona, and this is just kind of support Miska enjoys. "It's fun to know that so many people are there to cheer for me." |
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Miska exceeded even his own expectations when he proved he was the best in the world as the 2006 Champion in the Senior Division. "The best moment from Worlds was when I was told that I was in the top 32," he says. "That was the goal I had set for myself." That victory came with more than just a trophy, a scholarship, and bragging rights; Miska's winning deck was published and sold worldwide as one of four Pokémon TCG World Championships decks to come out of last year's tournament.
He built his masterful Suns & Moons deck to rely almost exclusively on the strength of the Pokémon Solrock and Lunatone. Along with a wide range of Trainer cards, this gave him complete control over his deck. Yet as powerful as Miska's deck is, he points out that no other players or friends have been foolish enough to think they could beat him with his own strategy. "No one has dared to challenge me with my own deck," he notes.
The honor of being considered one of the best in the world hasn't made Miska any less determined to pursue being a champion again in Kona, Hawaii, this year. "I have practiced hard, generally two days a week with my friends in (the) Hyvinkää Pokémon League," he says. And not only has he been keeping his game strong, but he's been keeping up with all of the latest strategies as well. He expects to see many "Destiny" decks (designed to eliminate an opponent's Poké-Bodies and Poké-Powers) and "R-Gon" decks (which use Rainbow Energy cards to power up Flygon and Flygon ex) at this year's Main Event. Even so, he's preparing himself for any possibilities, including new creations that players may have just thought up. After all, he points out, the environment has changed quite a bit since last year. "Some players might surprise with a Diamond & Pearl-based deck."
Miska advises players that the key to winning at the Pokémon TCG World Championships is to simply keep your cool, even if things don't go your way at first. In the end, he says, "Don't get nervous if you lose a game or two."