Can you be a champion?

For some of you, the tease from Pokémon director Junichi Masuda will be enough to get your juices flowing. In the world of Pokémon, however, there is very often even more to get you excited.

The Pokémon Company International has today released a press statement offering the opportunity for competitors at the 2012 Pokémon Video Game National Championships to receive a rare shiny Larvitar. All that's required is a copy of either Pokémon Black or White and attendance at the event.

Those interested in competing in the championships can get all of the details at the competition's website: don't forget to change the region as necessary at the bottom of the page.

The press release with full details of the shiny Larvitar's abilities is below, as well as a trailer for the Birmingham event.

The Pokémon Company International today announced that there will be a unique character distribution at the 2012 Pokémon™ Video Game National Championships taking place across Europe during March and April. Attendees will be able to walk away with a rare Shiny Larvitar, a Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon with unusual colouring. Players will need to bring along their copy of the Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version game and their Nintendo DS™, Nintendo DSi™, Nintendo DSi XL™, or Nintendo 3DS™ system to receive this unique distribution.

This Shiny Larvitar knows the powerful Fighting-type move Superpower, which can only be learned in Pokémon HeartGold or Pokémon SoulSilver from a special tutor. It also comes holding a useful Chople Berry, which is difficult to obtain in the games. Larvitar can eventually evolve into Tyranitar, which, thanks to its strong stats and its Ability to kick up an unending Sandstorm, has been a very popular character since its introduction in Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version in 2000.

For more information about the 2012 Pokémon Video Game National Championships, including full conditions of entry, tournament locations, dates and times, prizes, and more, please visit: www.pokemon.co.uk/vgc