Pokémon Champion Wolfe Glick Steps Back From Tournaments Following Harassment

Competitive Pokémon player Wolfe Glick, a 2016 World Champion and recent winner of the 2025 European Internationals, has announced he is significantly scaling back his participation in in-person tournaments. The decision stems from a pattern of inappropriate and, in some instances, disturbing behavior from fans, alongside the mounting physical and mental strain of the competitive circuit.

Glick, who boasts over two million subscribers on his YouTube channel, detailed his experiences in a 30-minute video titled “Moving Forward.” He expressed uncertainty about his future in the competitive Pokémon world, stating it’s “entirely possible I will never compete in, or attend, another World Championships again.”

The Rising Concerns Facing Competitive Pokémon Players

Glick’s announcement shines a light on a growing issue within the competitive gaming community: the boundary between fan enthusiasm and unacceptable behavior. While interactions with fans are a common part of a competitor’s experience, Glick revealed he was “groped” at five of the seven tournaments he attended between September 2024 and August 2025, including at this year’s Pokémon World Championships in Anaheim, California. He emphasized that these unwanted physical advances occurred during photo opportunities with fans.

“Fans when taking pictures with me, put their hands on me sexually and non-consensually during the act of taking photos,” Glick explained. “I don’t like that this is happening. And I also think to most reasonable people, that this is not normal behaviour.”

However, Glick clarified that while deeply unsettling, these incidents weren’t the primary driver behind his decision. He also cited recurring neck pain exacerbated by fans grabbing him – even non-sexually – for attention. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with doing it in a vacuum, but at scale, and especially when there are other things going on, it can become quite distracting and problematic,” he added.

The cumulative effect of these experiences led Glick to leave the Pokémon World Championships venue on the final day, watching the concluding matches from his hotel room. He described the event as his “least favourite Worlds ever.” The stress of competition, combined with these interactions, has diminished his enjoyment of tournaments.

“Even though at a Pokémon tournament most people see me as a YouTuber, or an influencer, or whatever you want to call me, I’m there to compete,” Glick stated. “I’m not there to do fan interaction. I go to tournaments because I love competing.”

Glick has committed to taking a break from in-person tournaments for at least the next four months, including missing the Toronto Regional Championships, a tournament he won last year. He acknowledged that this absence likely jeopardizes his chances of qualifying for next year’s World Championships, but feels a pause is necessary.

This isn’t an isolated incident. Streamer Emiru recently experienced an assault at TwitchCon, prompting her to announce she will no longer attend the event due to security concerns. Emiru’s statement on X further underscores the need for improved safety measures at gaming conventions.

What measures should tournament organizers take to ensure a safe and respectful environment for competitors and fans alike? And how can the gaming community collectively address the issue of harassment at events?

Frequently Asked Questions About Wolfe Glick’s Decision

• What prompted Wolfe Glick to step back from Pokémon tournaments? Glick’s decision was influenced by a combination of unwanted physical contact from fans and the overall stress of competing.
• What specific incidents did Wolfe Glick describe? He detailed instances of being groped during photo opportunities at multiple tournaments, as well as non-sexual physical contact that contributed to his discomfort.
• Will Wolfe Glick still be involved in the Pokémon community? Glick will continue to create content on his YouTube channel, but his participation in in-person tournaments is uncertain.
• Is this issue unique to Pokémon tournaments? No, similar incidents of harassment have been reported at other gaming events, such as TwitchCon, highlighting a broader problem within the gaming community.
• What steps are being taken to address harassment at gaming events? Event organizers are under increasing pressure to improve security measures and create a more respectful environment for all attendees.
• How can fans show their support for Wolfe Glick? Fans can support Glick by respecting his boundaries, engaging with his content responsibly, and advocating for a safer gaming community.