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The 2022 Pokémon World Championships opening ceremony highlighted incoming updates for Pokémon UNITE, GO and Masters EX on Thursday. In addition, the Pokémon Worlds opening ceremony included a video referencing Park “Sejun” Se-Jun’s iconic victory with Pachirisu at the 2014 Pokémon World Championships.

Amid footage taken from previous World Championships, this year’s celebratory video featured animated statues of four Pokémon. The animated segments started off with three pseudo-Legendary Pokémon: Garchomp, Tyranitar and Salamence.

Of course, the Pachirisu statue that followed was the giveaway that the Pokémon Worlds opening ceremony animation was referencing Sejun. The final shot of the video shows the Garchomp and Tyranitar about to engage in battle while the Pachirisu stares down a Draco Meteor from the Salamence.

More about the Pokémon Worlds opening ceremony Pachirisu reference

The 2022 World Championship opening ceremony video depicts a moment from the 2014 video game championship Masters Finals. In game two of the set, Sejun made use of an unexpectedly bulky Pachirisu against Jeudy “SoulSur” Azzarelli.

Sejun had his Pachirisu use Follow Me to redirect a Dragon-type attack from the SoulSur’s Salamence and keep his Garchomp safe. The Pachirisu survived both a Rock Slide from his opponent’s Tyranitar and a Draco Meteor from the aforementioned Salamence. Meanwhile, Sejun’s Garchomp proceeded to knock out both of the opposing Pokémon with Rock Slide.

The crucial sequence then set up Sejun’s victory in the next turn. His Garchomp and Pachirisu teamed up to knock out SoulSur’s last remaining Pokémon, a Mow Rotom; this surprising play with Pachirisu is now regarded as one of the most legendary moments in competitive Pokémon history.

Sejun himself has leaned heavily into his association with the Electric-type squirrel. In the past, he has used teams of six Pachirisu to beat games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.