New Hyde Park boy a Pokemon champ

Devon Roth has a new hat, and he glows every day he wears it. The 9-year-old New Hyde Park resident’s black baseball cap sports the words “Top Eight” on the bill, signifying a big accomplishment for someone so young -- being among the top eight Pokemon players in the world for his age group.

Devon competed in the Pokemon World Championship Tournament, an invitation-only event in San Diego, Aug. 12 to 14, and made it to the quarterfinals, beating out around 300 others. He earned $3,000 in scholarship money between his play in San Diego and his winnings from previous qualifying rounds.

“He was upset for, like, a second when he was eliminated,” said his father, Chris Roth. “But then he was just excited to have been top eight.”

Devon said the whole experience was exciting, and he looks forward to competing next year.

“Just getting the invitation felt good,” he said.

His father said that shortly after Devon’s loss he was playing with some friends he had made at the tournament, confirming that he didn’t take defeat too seriously. And no matter what happens next year, he’ll always have that hat.

“About six hours later he still had his hat on,” Chris Roth said. “He’s never worn a hat a day in his life and he still had that one on.”