Kent girl claims title of Pokmon master

Mindy Lambkee of Kent demonstrated her supreme Pokémon trainer skills over the weekend when she was crowned reigning world champion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game in the 10-and-younger age division.

The first world championships attracted more than 100 competitors from 13 countries. Mindy, who was featured in last week's Seattle Times, went up against tough competition in the road to the title. Using a deck dominated by an attacking Pokémon, Donfhan, she played five matches with three wins and two draws on Saturday to gain the No. 2 ranking. On Sunday, she played three matches, defeating the top-ranked player, before playing another three matches for the final results. She was undefeated through the two-day event.

"I'm really excited about winning," said Mindy, 10. "I really had fun, plus being a little nervous on Sunday."

Spoils from the victory include lots of Pokémon gear and a trip for two to Hawaii to participate in the Pokémon Tropical Mega Battle.

Dylan Austin, 14, of Ann Arbor, Mich., won the world title in the 11-14 age division.

Although the Pokémon fad is past its 1999-2000 peak, nearly 100,000 kids in 40 countries participate in local and regional Pokémon card-game tournaments. The world championships were instituted as a culminating event to regional tournaments.