Texas-based Pokémon VGC regional champion Donghun Youm says he threw up at the 2026 Baltimore Regional Championships because another competitor smelled so badly that the odor was putrid. Youm posted about the incident on Twitter/X, where he begged players to “please take care of [their] personal hygiene.”
The odor was so unbearable that Youm said he literally vomited from it, and his companions could not focus on their own contests owing to the scent. He related the circumstances to a judge.
“I’ve had an incident at Baltimore regionals where I had to throw up due to a nearby player’s stench,” he said. “My friends and I couldn’t focus that round due to how putrid the smell was, and we even told a judge due to it. Like, c’mon man….”
The Baltimore Incident
A post by Youm has ignited a heated debate about cleanliness at competitive gatherings. The event also drew humor and internet images tied to specific Pokémon strikes that depend on scent to deliver harm or impose negative conditions.
The ability ‘Stench’ was most popular, as it has a 10% chance of making your opponent flinch when hit by a damaging move.
What Players Are Saying
The comments section filled up fast with personal opinions, and one person argued that cleanliness ought to be treated as a condition for getting into an event.
“People who smell bad should be kicked out,” the commenter replied.
Another commenter took a lighter approach. “If you can afford a Nintendo Switch, you can afford a $3 stick of deodorant dude,” they said.
Hygiene Rules Already Exist
Bad hygiene has surfaced at in-person gaming gatherings before. Just last month, a card shop in Oregon put its Yu-Gi-Oh tournaments on hold after receiving poor reviews and several complaints about foul-smelling attendees.
Konami’s own tournament guidelines stipulate that everyone at a Yu-Gi-Oh competition, not just players, must be “clean and wear clean clothing,” or risk being “penalized.” The shop pointed to those guidelines.
The official Play! Pokémon Tournament Rules Handbook also carries a section on hygiene, much like the rules for other card games. That section lays out what players must do to keep things clean during a tournament.
“Individuals are also required to maintain a socially acceptable level of hygiene during the event. Depending on the attire or level of hygiene, the Tournament Organizer may allow for a tournament participant to change or update their personal hygiene and attire and return to the venue.”
What Happens Next
It is still unclear whether the player who drew the foul was punished for it. Whatever the case, the matter has now returned to public attention once again.
Players are being asked by community members to stay clean and fresh during events so that they do not end up in an embarrassing situation such as the one described.
The Verdict on the Debate
Youm’s post shows how thin the line is between amusement and annoyance. The jokes about Pokémon’s ‘Stench’ attack drew some funny responses, but the real problem beneath it is serious. Competitive gaming spaces act as public spaces, and they ought not to be hostile environments.
Youm’s companions were unable to concentrate on their contests, and that is the true price of poor cleanliness, which should never be treated lightly.
A Reminder About Hygiene
Here is a quick rundown of the key points:
- Youm threw up at the 2026 Baltimore Regional Championships because of a nearby player’s stench.
- He told a judge about the situation.
- The incident sparked jokes about Pokémon’s ‘Stench’ attack.
- Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh guidelines require everyone to be clean and wear clean clothing.
- Pokémon’s official handbook allows organizers to force participants to change or update their hygiene.
- Refusal to comply can lead to removal from the tournament and venue.
A Comparison of Tournament Guidelines
| Tournament | Hygiene Rule | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Yu-Gi-Oh (Konami) | Everyone must be clean and wear clean clothing | Risk of being penalized |
| Pokémon (Play! Pokémon) | Maintain socially acceptable hygiene | Removal from tournament, venue, badge relinquishment |
The Bottom Line
A good viral tweet gets people talking, and Youm’s post has done exactly that. The discussion centers on cleanliness, but it also touches on how we treat fellow players and the shared spaces we use.
The $3 stick of deodorant comment captures the spirit of the whole thing. If you can afford a Nintendo Switch, you can afford a stick of deodorant. It is not a lot to ask.
It’s important for players to look after themselves, because the games they enjoy benefit from it.
Source material: “Pokémon VGC Pro Begs Players to Wash Themselves After Opponent’s 'Putrid' Stench Makes Them Vomit,” IGN.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.