Meet The Mt. Rushmore of VGC
Theoretically, if there was a Mt. Rushmore for the best of the VGC community. Who would be on it? I’ve found the four most influential people in the community and put them on their pedestals to elaborate on what makes them some of the most prominent members of the VGC. Some are no-brainers, others may be controversial to some. These trainers are the best of the best, and I’m going to go over what makes them so. Starting with Wolfe Glick.
Wolfe Glick
If you’ve watched VGC content on YouTube, you’ve probably come across Glick the most. As one of the most successful VGC content creators, Wolfe has broken down the complexity of the format for the casual viewer. He’s even done some huge Mr. Beast-style videos lately, like his opening of the first real-life Pokemon Gym in NYC. Obviously, he didn’t start this big. Back in 2011, a young Wolfe Glick asked his parents to take him to Washington DC for his first regional. He was still relatively new to the VGC format, but that didn't stop him from achieving first place that year. This earned him a paid trip to the national tournament in Indianapolis, which he also won. Cementing his first worlds invite. The young prodigy would face off against his rival that worlds, a man who would go on to make VGC history, Ray Rizzo. However, Wolfe would lose this duel, placing top 8, then lost to him again in 2012 during the grand finals. In only 3 months, Wolfe achieved what many take years to accomplish.
The Real YouTubist
Then, in 2016 he called upon his friends that he made playing VGC, Brendan Zheng, and Markus Stadter, to build the ultimate team for worlds that year. With this team, he would finally become a world champion. However, he was not satisfied until he could face Ray Rizzo again, whom he had not gotten a chance to battle at worlds since. After his win, an inspired Glick started doing YouTube videos. A self-proclaimed “real YouTubist”, he started by posting unedited videos that seemed genuine. His audience connected with him, and to this day he has over 1.15 million subscribers. He’s never stopped competing in the VGC, and won every type of VGC event there has ever been. This means premier challenges, midseason showdowns, regionals, nationals, internationals, players' cups, and worlds, have all been conquered by him. He consistently places in the top 32 at tournaments and is easily one of the best players to touch the game.
Ray Rizzo
An obvious choice for the VGC Mt. Rushmore. Rizzo is the only person in history to win worlds three times over, all in a row from 2010, to 2012. Hailing from New Jersey, Ray grew up during the peak of Pokemon’s popularity in the 90s. By the Diamond and Pearl era he discovered Smogon, a competitive community forum. Online discussion and competitive play were in full swing as the internet capabilities of the DS allowed players to battle from all over the world. Rizzo soon took part in his first-ever tournament, a Pokemon Battle Revolution event at Gamestop. His victory was swift, with his first prize place being a copy of the game. He then entered in the first-ever major video game tournament, pre-VGC days. The Pokemon Video Game Showdown in 2008, in which he found the Japanese players excelling over most Americans. He became fascinated at how far ahead Japan was at the game, which motivated him to take VGC seriously.
The Return of the King
Two years later he won the 2010 Worlds, after studying Japan’s metagame from online forums and recorded matches. He always had a desire to improve and won worlds twice over the next two years. He claims he was at the perfect age where he didn’t have a lot of responsibilities but had a lot of free time to practice. His winning streak was broken in 2013, when he cheered on his friend Aaron Zheng. Another VGC community member on this list, and a legend in his own right. Now, in recent years we are witnessing the return of Ray Rizzo, during a brief period where he focused on content creation and casting for the Pokemon community. Rizzo has since moved to Japan and shown interest in excelling in the Japanese circuit. Aiming for another qualification at worlds.
Aaron “Cybertron” Zheng
You may have heard of Aaron Zheng or his alias Cybertron. You may have even seen him on stream casting for major tournaments. Aaron “Cybertron” Zheng was born in Queens, NY where he grew up alongside his younger brother Brendan Zheng. His parents were originally against video games until he was older. One day he convinced them to purchase his first video game and entry in the Pokemon series, Pokemon Emerald. In 2006, he participated in the first major Pokemon tournament series, the Journey Across America tour. At that moment, he realized that competitive Pokemon was a reality.
Then two years later he made it to his first national tournament, finished top 4, and was flown out to 2008 Worlds. He was knocked out in the first round, but that didn’t discourage him from pushing his VGC career forward. In 2009, he got his younger brother, Brendan Zheng into competitive Pokemon as well. They would talk strategies and team compositions, frequently building their skills off of each other. In 2011, Wolfe Glick, Aaron, and Brendan, won the regional championships in Virginia. In 2012, he placed top 8 in worlds in the seniors division, won regionals, and won nationals. The next year, he continued to make top placements and went back to worlds. He ended up placing top 4, but his brother, Brendan won worlds in the juniors division. Aaron had a stunning battle during that event that earned him 3rd place. His match against Ryoske Kosuge was already close as it was. A crucial will-o-wisp from his Rotom missed. While his Landorous and Cresselia were confused and unable to do much. These instances cost him the set. The RNG was not kind to Aaron that match, but it didn’t deter him from playing the game and inspiring more people to compete as well.
The First “Professional” Pokemon Player
Six months later, on February 11th, 2014 Aaron started making videos on YouTube. Starting off with “Hi guys, Aaron Cybertron Zheng here..” with some VGC ladder commentary as he played. His goal was to inspire more people to play, and he’s been very successful in doing so. Gaining over 212 thousand subscribers as of the time of writing. He also earned an invitation to appear during E3 2016 where he was a part of the official Pokemon segment. In 2016, he casted his first worlds which he mentioned interested him because he’s been in the community for a long time, and has seen so many matches with stories to tell. To this day, Aaron is still competing and casting VGC along with making content on his YouTube channel. Inspiring many Pokemon fans to participate in the VGC themselves.
Sejun Park
I’m sure if you’ve looked into the history of VGC at all, you’d recognize the unexpected squirrel Pokemon Pachirisu and its legendary win during Worlds 2014. Sejun wasn’t any pushover before worlds that year, he had dominated Korea consistently in it’s VGC scene. When he inevitably made it to worlds, he faced Jeudy Azzarelli in the finals. Both players had unusual picks for their teams, but every pick was deliberate and served a specific role. Sejun clicked a crucial follow me move on Pachirisu, which tanked both a rock-slide and draco-meteor from two scary Pokemon at the time, Tyranitar and Salamance. Allowing Sejun to follow up a decisive attack to win him worlds that year.
An Unexpected, Yet Fitting Pokemon for the Win
The internet’s reaction was fierce, explosive, divisive, and monumental to the discussion and growth of the VGC worldwide. How could a small, cute, and weak-looking Pokemon win the most prestigious VGC tournament in the world? The answer was quite simple, Pachirisu is a very bulky mon when properly used. It also had access to that crucial follow-me play. He didn’t want a Pokemon to follow me who wasn’t weak to another prominent Pokemon at the time, Talonflame. However, the world remained enthralled by the monumental moment. Korea held parades, special tournaments, appearances of Junichi Masuda, and special limited-time merch decorated around Pachirisu. Many of these events had to be canceled after concerns of overcrowding arose after thousands of people flocked to the event. Sejun even had a virtual statue made in honor of his match during a recent worlds broadcast. Sejun has also become a master at every Pokemon IP he picked up, from TCG, Unite, and obviously the VGC. Cementing himself as a legend among all players and fans of competitive Pokemon.
The Four Figureheads of the VGC
Wolfe Glick, Ray Rizzo, Aaron Zheng, and Sejun Park. These four men set forward a goal for all VGC players to strive for. Becoming the very best, a master of champions, a professional, and a legend. Who would you say inspired you to compete in the VGC? Do any of these faces match those people? Or perhaps a friend or family member inspired you. Regardless, the impact these four people have had on the community may be the most profound. Stay tuned for more articles here on Devon Corp Press!
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