The Pokémon Champions of Champions tournament takes place on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 2pm BST. Champions from unique sports worldwide will compete in a no-holds-barred Pokémon battle. Among them is Canadian Air Guitar Champion Zachary Knowles, who has been training with three-time Pokémon VGC World Champion Ray Rizzo.
Knowles on Air Guitar and Pokémon
In an exclusive interview, Knowles explained how his air guitar background gives him an edge: 'Performing on stage in front of tons of people takes focus, rhythm, and the ability to channel total passion into a performance. Air guitar is all about stage presence and connecting with the energy of the room, and I’m bringing that exact same high-octane energy to the arena in London!'
Knowles added that Pokémon Champions is built on strategy, timing, and thinking fast under pressure, skills he honed on big stages. He expressed confidence: 'I’m bringing full rockstar confidence to every single battle.'
Experience and Training
Knowles shared his Pokémon history: his first games were Yellow and Silver, and he later dabbled in Generation 8. He praised Pokémon Champions for its accessibility, noting that building a competition-ready Pokémon takes under five minutes. He has been coached by Ray Rizzo, whom he called 'a World Champ in my corner.'
He declined to reveal his full strategy but described it as focusing on type advantages, big moves, and adaptability. His favourite Pokémon is Hawlucha, which he called 'my spiritual partner' because it showboats.
Prize and Charity
The winner will receive a ticket to the Pokémon World Championships and a donation from The Pokémon Company to a charity of their choice. Knowles stated he would donate to a local charity in Canada if he wins.
The tournament features representatives from various countries: Great Britain's Nettle Eating Champion, Spain's Whistling Champion, and the USA's Pillow Fighting Champion, among others.
