APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) — What started as a few Pokémon cards at a friend’s house has turned into a competitive journey for 12-year-old Aiden Santos.
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Just two years after first learning the game, Santos is already competing on regional stages across the country and chasing a spot at the Pokémon World Championships.
“I just wanted to play, play, play,” Santos said, recalling the first time he tried the game after a friend showed him the basics.
At first, it was simple trading and casual matches. But Santos soon began studying strategy and building what players call a “meta deck”. It’s a highly competitive setup designed to win tournaments.
Trading away many of his cards to complete that first deck was a risk, he said, but it’s one he doesn’t regret.
“It probably ended up being the best decision of my life right now,” Santos said.
Homeschooled, Santos said the Pokémon Trading Card Game has given him more than just competition. Tournaments have introduced him to a large community of players and friends across the country.
“Pokémon is very social. The community is huge,” Santos said. “At every regional, you pretty much end up making one or two friends.”
That community has already taken Santos far from home.
Most recently, he traveled to Seattle to compete in a regional championship tournament featuring about 250 players in his division. Santos advanced to the second day of competition and finished 45th overall. The placement earned him 120 championship points toward qualifying for the World Championships in San Francisco.
“It felt really good to win that round and get into day two,” he said. “My goal is to go to Worlds.”
Santos trains regularly at Missing No. Games in Appleton, a local game shop, hosts weekly tournaments and practice sessions help players sharpen their skills.
He also works closely with local player Caleb Gedemer, a four-time regional champion who serves as Santos’s coach and mentor. Santos said Gedemer has become one of his biggest inspirations in the game.
Shop owner Titus Moua said the Santos family has been part of the store’s community since Aiden first started playing.
“Aiden came here with a friend and never stopped coming,” Moua said. “It’s been a blessing having the Santos family here.”
Moua added that the game helps young players develop skills that reach beyond the tabletop.
“You learn sportsmanship, respect and critical thinking,” Moua said. “Everything you do in the game has an impact, and those are things that transfer into real life.”
Aiden’s father, Ryan Santos, said watching his son grow through the game has been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
“Some people look at it and think it’s just a card game,” Ryan said. “But I’ve seen Aiden grow into an incredible person through this.”
The tournaments have also become a way for the two to travel and spend time together.
“I honestly couldn’t be more proud of Aiden,” Ryan said. “Doing this with him is something I will never forget. It’s been an incredible time for me to bond with him and see places we’ve never seen before. It takes you places if you want it to.”
For Aiden, the journey is far from over.
With more tournaments ahead and a possible world championship invite within reach, he said the game continues to bring excitement and new challenges.
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“I honestly don’t know where I’d be without Pokémon,” Santos said. “It’s my favorite sport.”
The Pokémon World Championships are scheduled for Aug. 28 in San Francisco. Santos currently has 740 championship points as he works toward qualifying for the event.
