Beelzeboy Becomes First Indian Champion at Pokémon GO World Championship 2025
- Sagar Mankar
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
On August 17, Ved “Beelzeboy” Bamb made history by becoming the first Indian player to win the Pokémon GO World Championship 2025.
The championship, held in Anaheim, California, saw Beelzeboy defeat Spanish player Leo “P4T0M4N” Marín in an intense Grand Finals showdown. The match ended with scores of 3-2, cementing Beelzeboy’s place as a global champion and earning him a $20,000 prize pool.
A Historic Win for Indian Esports
Beelzeboy’s victory was not just about claiming the Pokémon GO crown; it was also India’s first-ever world title in esports.
21-year-old Nagpur-based player had to overcome a tough challenge, coming from the lower bracket to face P4T0M4N for the second time. To secure the championship, he needed to reset the bracket and win again, which he did with composure and strategy.
Relying on core Pokémon like Lapras, Galarian Moltres, Shadow Steelix, and Shadow Annihilape, Beelzeboy showcased both consistency and adaptability.
From Nagpur to the World Stage
Beelzeboy’s journey with Pokémon GO started back in 2016 when the game officially launched in India. What began as casual play soon turned competitive as he entered tournaments and slowly built a reputation. His big break came in 2024 when he won the Pokémon India National Championship, beating over 200 players.
Later that year, he joined LAGr Gaming, a North American esports organization known for competing in Call of Duty and Street Fighter.
Other Winners at the Pokémon World Championships 2025
While Beelzeboy grabbed headlines, the championship featured four major categories — Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), Pokémon Video Game Championships (VGC), Pokémon GO, and Pokémon UNITE.
VGC Masters Division: Giovanni Cischke defeated James Evans 2-1, winning his first tournament title. In the younger categories, Luke Whittier (Juniors) and Kevin Han (Seniors) gave the United States a clean sweep.
TCG: Canadian player Riley McKay dominated the finals, securing his first world title along with $50,000 in prize money. China’s Liao Fuguan and Japan’s Yuya Okita won the Seniors and Juniors divisions, respectively.
Pokémon UNITE: South American squad PERÚ stunned fans by winning the championship after a second-place group stage finish. They beat Luminosity Gaming in the semis and Japan’s ZETA Division in the finals, marking their best-ever run at the event.
Looking Ahead: Pokémon World Championships 2026
The Pokémon World Championships will move to San Francisco in 2026, taking place at the Chase Center — a venue that has also hosted League of Legends Worlds. Organizers confirmed that multi-day passes will go on sale from September 17.
Next year will also introduce Pokémon Champions, a brand-new strategy game joining the competitive lineup. Scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and mobile, the free-to-play title is set to expand the franchise’s esports reach. Fans can also expect a new immersive fan experience, Pokémon XP, at the Moscone Center, featuring interactive activities and community events.