Hello,
I do not usually post on HeyFonte, but in light of recent events, long and hard self-deliberation and input from trustworthy friends I have decided to open up about an event from Toronto Regionals. I am no new pokemon player, however I am new to the competitive scene. Toronto being a local regionals, it was a no brainer to attend. I being successful day 1 and I was able to play in my first regional day 2. Being very excited I was exclaiming to friends that even if I had a 0-5 record at the end day 2, I am happy to play in this stage of the event. Round 14 I was paired against Igor Costa. I look at my phone with pure joy and excitement, because of him, I started to play the card game. Watching his worlds win on the top cut channel on YouTube as a young teenager had inspired me to go out buy some theme decks and learn to play Pokemon with my younger brother. As you can see, I had immense admiration for Igor Costa. Before round 14 of Toronto Regionals, Igor approaches me with a deal. He said that he would split prizing between the both of us, as long as he takes the win to stay in top 3 contention in North America. As I was currently at 170cp and was nowhere near reaching my invite and wanting my “idol” to receive the top 3 benefits, I accepted. I figured with University and jobs, etc. that I would not be able to get my invite anyways, as I only attended 12 sanctioned pokemon events all of the 2017-2018 pokemon season, I figured future years would be similar. After he sent the money through paypal (see attached image below) I spoke to my friends also participating in the event about it. Some were happy that I was able to “win” some extra money and others were not. I had failed to understand their dilemma with my dealings with Igor. I was essentially blinded from the rules by my role model and ever since then I regret my actions from that day. Experienced players in the game advised me that this soiled the integrity of the game and that it steals cp from those who deserves it and also falsifies the top 16 standings. As a community we must understand that some players may be “paying out” other players to stay in this race to be a Top 16 player and it is even in the league cup scene where players will pay other for wins. As fixing results due to bribing is no fair to everyone who attended the event fairly.

Whether it be calling a judge to gain board advantage, or lying to your opponent of whether or not they attached an energy card. This is all forms of cheating and rule bending. I as well accept that once I accepted the bribe, I am in the wrong. I am also ready to face any punishment for that wrong doing.

Attached images are screenshots of our short conversation on the day as well as the payment received from Nicholena Moon on the same day. (Nicholena Moon is Igor’s girlfriend, if I have that correct) please note the dates on both and the date of Toronto Regionals. Also attached is proof that we did play round 14 against one another.

I am also going to submit a support ticket to right what I have wronged for this situation. As I believe that we as a community can no longer allow bribing to be a norm within the game. On a league cup level or regional.