Wholesome esports

February 25, 2020 7:44 AM

The Adorable Moment 7-Year-Old Simone Lim Became A Pokémon Junior Champion [YouTube] “Meet Simone Lim. She’s the new Pokémon Oceania International Juniors Championships champion. She faced off in Melbourne against the older and formidable Justin Miranda-Radbord. He’s defending champ with a long list of achievements, including 21-time Regional Champ. Lim seemed to come out of nowhere to claim her crown. This was her first year competing; she ranked top four in Malaysia Regionals and at a Singapore Special Event, which would be impressive enough for most players. But Lim is not most players. After winning the first match, Lim lost the second but came back for an impressive finish.” [via: Kotaku]
posted by Fizz (4 comments total)

When you're trying to be good sports, but you're too short to reach across the table for a handshake.
posted by Fizz at 7:48 AM on February 25, 2020 [4 favorites]

Also, her acceptance speech:

“Is there anything else you'd like to say?”
“No.”

She is too pure for this world of gaming. 😀
posted by Fizz at 7:54 AM on February 25, 2020 [9 favorites]

I love that she is both adorable and a stone cold competitor.

People at the highest levels are always talking about how the mental game is as important as the physical and I feel like she has got that going on. Like she is not whooping it up when she wins, she wouldn't be crushed if she lost, she's just focused on making the best decision in the moment. So when she's asked if she has anything else to say of course the answer is no. What is there to say. She played, she played well, she's ready to go on to the next game.
posted by selfmedicating at 10:08 AM on February 25, 2020 [3 favorites]

People at the highest levels are always talking about how the mental game is as important as the physical and I feel like she has got that going on. Like she is not whooping it up when she wins, she wouldn't be crushed if she lost, she's just focused on making the best decision in the moment.

There's another reason this is particularly enjoyable and that is because notorious Fortnite streamer Ninja recently said this: Ninja Tweet Criticizes People Who Don't Get Angry When They Lose at Video Games [GameRant]

“Meanwhile, a clip of Ninja talking about "it's just a game" during a livestream is also picking up traction on social media. In the clip, he says, "Imagine telling LeBron James, Tom Brady, that when they're pissed off after losing a game that it's 'just a game.' Like, are you kidding me? You're so stupid. It's the competitive nature, bro. It's about respect, bro. It's about pride. It's so much bigger than a f****** video game." Ninja then described people who use the excuse "it's just a game" as horrible, lazy human beings.”

That's how toxic the gaming community can be, that he's somehow internalized and considers anger/rage to be the best way to play a game and that these are normal and healthy responses to losing a game. It's really gross and it makes Simone's win that much better. She's already acting more mature than Ninja, though that's a pretty low bar it seems. She's got more class than he'll ever have.
posted by Fizz at 10:33 AM on February 25, 2020 [8 favorites]