Last weekend, Hartford, Connecticut, was the scene of a major Pokémon tournament. New winners emerged in the TCG, Scarlet and Violet VGC, and Pokémon Go for different age groups. But the joy didn’t last.
Controversy Hits the Champion
Rowan Stavenow, fresh off his victory as the 2023 Hartford Regionals TCG Champion, faced backlash over a video showing a swastika shaved onto his head. The symbol, tied to the Holocaust and Nazi party, sparked outrage. Stavenow told ESN.GG he plans to keep competing for the world title this year. Yet, anger in the card game community keeps growing.
Players took to social media on May 22, expressing their concerns about the video. TCG pro Josh Frink, a Jewish player, stated he doesn’t feel safe at Pokémon events now. “This dude had a Swastika shaved into his head. To me, that means I stay the hell away for him or I could end up hurt or dead.”
Community Reaction
Jared Grimes, another Jewish member of the Pokémon community, quickly voiced his opinion. “It’s sickening that anyone would do anything but condemn this behavior in these times,” he wrote on Twitter. His thread on May 22 highlighted the tragedy this behavior represents for the Jewish community. Many others shared their disappointment and hurt over Stavenow’s actions.
Apology and Aftermath
Stavenow later posted an apology on Twitter. He claimed he had no idea his friends would shave a swastika onto his head. He felt “gutted” when he found out the video had been made public. Despite the apology, the incident underlines a growing concern over safety and inclusion in TCG spaces.
He plans to step back from the scene after this season, focusing on local events during his university years. Yet, he aims to compete for the world title this year.
Following his apology, Grimes and others encouraged Stavenow to learn from this mistake. Many urged him to keep a distance from the friends involved in the incident.
Broader Community Concerns
This issue follows a similar incident where a Pokémon Professor faced a ban for transphobic behavior at the Vancouver Regionals in March. The community keeps calling for education on sensitive issues among players and staff.
Such incidents highlight the importance of creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment in gaming communities. Players, organizers, and fans continue to strive for a culture where everyone feels welcome and safe.