The best Duelists in Central America have gathered here to compete this weekend, but not all of them are tournament veterans. Several of the Duelists competing this weekend are entering their first-ever World Championship Qualifier, vying for their first opportunity to compete in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME World Championship! Let’s meet some of our first-time competitors!

Edgar Sanchez from Mexico State is entering his first-ever World Championship Qualifier today! Sanchez won the National Championship with Bujins in Mexico City last April, and is looking to repeat his success with a Bujin Deck this weekend. Sanchez is anxious and excited to be playing this weekend, and is aware of the awesome grand prize awarded to the winner of this tournament. He says that the prize of a trip to Italy really excites him, because visiting other countries is a tremendous motivation to win.

11-year-old Ivan Alvarez from the Dominican Republic is competing in a Dragon Duel World Championship Qualifier for the first time in his life! He’s a bit anxious because it’s the first time leaving his country, but he loves Guadalajara, Mexico and says the people here are very easygoing. He used a Madolche Deck to win a Dragon Duel tournament in his home country and qualify for this weekend’s event, and is using Madolches to compete once again today. He hopes to win this weekend, because he would love to go to Italy and get to know the city and the people. He also says that a victory this weekend would make him famous!

Angel Aveimalec from Irapuato, Guanajuato made the Top 32 in Mexico’s National tournament with a Deck of big Level 4 monsters, featuring Thunder King Rai-Oh and Banisher of the Radiance. He’s confident about winning the WCQ this weekend, and says he learned a lot from his mistakes in his last tournament. He’s using the same Deck this weekend, that he used at the Mexican Nationals. Aveimalec is a brand new player, eager to compete. He just started playing the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME a few years ago, and the only tournaments he has ever entered prior to this weekend include a single Regional Qualifier and only one National Championship.

12-year-old Francisco Palacios from Panama City is competing in his first-ever Dragon Duel WCQ! He says he’s really excited to be here, but a little bit nervous because he knows he’ll be facing some great players in the tournament. Francisco Palacious won his National Championship with a Deck of his own creation, and is using that Deck again this weekend. Palacious says it’s his first time in Mexico and he loves the food. He says that even though it’s spicy, it’s great! Palacios says that although he took first place in Panama, he’s not so sure he can win. He knows the competition will be fierce, but is nevertheless eager to win and go to Italy. He loves the idea of traveling around the world to play the game that he loves.

Will one of these WCQ first-timers have what it takes the make it to the World Championship in Italy? We’ll find out by the end of the weekend!