2025 Pokémon Worlds VGC Champion Kevin Han Achieves Historic First
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2025 Pokémon Worlds VGC Champion Kevin Han Achieves Historic First
Kevin Han, 12, is the first to win the VGC Pokémon World Championships in both the Junior and Senior age divisions. Han is also the first-ever contender with the ability to take the World Championship title in all three divisions: Juniors, Seniors, and Masters. This year was the first ever time Championship Sunday was held in a dedicated arena rather than on the stage on the convention center floor. We’ll have to wait three years before he ages into the Masters division, where he just might make history yet again. He was defeated only twice during his climb to the Junior Championship title, and one of those defeats was at the hands of Sian Lee from South Korea.
“I have no words to describe it. It’s an unreal feeling, I still can’t believe it,” Han said after being asked about his unprecedented achievement.
Kevin Han at the Anaheim Convention Center Arena after securing his 2025 Pokémon VGC Senior World Champion title. Image from the Play Pokémon livestream.
Han, a 12-year-old from Pennsylvania, US, faced Sian Lee from South Korea in the Senior division finals. Last year, Han was defeated only twice during his climb to the Junior Championship title, and one of those defeats was at the hands of Lee, making this finals match-up especially nerve-racking.
Before the match, Han’s brother, Chris Han, was asked about how Kevin Han was feeling.
“I can tell you one thing, he’s super nervous… but Kevin’s got this,” Chris Han said. “I don’t have any words of advice, just trust your gut Kevin–you know exactly what to do.”
Kevin Han’s 2025 VGC Pokémon team. Image from the Play Pokémon livestream.
Chris Han’s faith in his brother rang true, as Kevin Han won 2-0.
“I think after turn one of each game, where I got my positioning up, I think I felt a lot better,” Kevin Han said. “Sometimes if you’re too nervous it can hurt you, but, in my opinion, having at least a little bit of nerves can help you a lot.”
Kevin Han secured his victory in the second match with a Double K.O. with his Ice Rider Calyrex’s Glacial Lance, super effective on Lee’s Rillaboom and just powerful enough to finish off the previously-damaged Zamazenta.
Sian Lee’s 2025 VGC Pokémon team. Image from the Play Pokémon livestream.
Ray Rizzo is the only previous Pokémon competitor to have won the VGC Championship in two divisions: the Senior division in 2010, then the Master division in 2011. This makes Kevin Han the first-ever contender with the ability to take the World Championship title in all three divisions: Juniors, Seniors, and Masters. We’ll have to wait three years before he ages into the Masters division, where he just might make history yet again.
Kevin Han’s win isn’t the only historical first at this year’s Pokémon World Championships. This is also the first ever time Championship Sunday was held in a dedicated arena rather than on the stage on the convention center floor.
Picture of the arena stage at the 2025 Pokémon World Championships in Anaheim, CA.
Casey DeFreitas is a deputy editor on the guides team at IGN and this year is the second time she’s covered the Pokémon World Championships in Anaheim, CA. Catch her on socials @ShinyCaseyD.
Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/2025-pokemon-worlds-vgc-champion-kevin-han-achieves-historic-first