Donghun Youm, the champion of the 2023 Pokémon Milwaukee VGC Regional Championship, recently shared his bizarre experience at the Baltimore Regional Championship via Twitter. During the match, a nearby competitor emitted an intense, pungent odor that caused Youm to have a strong physical reaction, leading him to vomit. His friends, who were also competing, were affected by the smell and unable to concentrate on their matches. The group subsequently filed a complaint with the on-site referees.
Donghun Youm did not disclose the identity of the player involved, nor did he reveal the subsequent disciplinary actions taken by the referees. His post primarily aimed to urge participants in offline tournaments to prioritize personal hygiene. He later clarified that the player in question was a competitor in the VGC video game category, not a card game player.
The incident quickly spread on overseas social media platforms, sparking widespread discussion and memes among players. Many drew comparisons to Pokémon like Grimer and Weezing, known for their foul odor traits, jokingly referring to it as a real-life scent-based disruption tactic.
Similar hygiene issues are not uncommon in board games and offline esports events. Previously, Super Smash Bros. professional player Cosmos encountered body odor problems at a tournament and had to temporarily seek out deodorizing products. In offline Yu-Gi-Oh! competitions, there have been instances where players left early due to unbearable odors, and some event organizers have even suspended local tournaments due to hygiene-related concerns involving participants.
Offline tournaments require players to sit in enclosed spaces for extended periods during matches, making personal hygiene a significant factor affecting opponents' gaming experiences. Many netizens have called on tournament organizers to consider adding relevant reminders for participants.