[Cardfight!! Vanguard] WGP Malaysia 2013 - Japanese and English

Malaysia held it's WGPs for Japanese and English version of CFV last weekend and I was one of the judge for the event. This was considered as one of my first judging experience at a national event, since I was competing in the WGPs in the previous years and only judging for shop or district tournaments. Around 260 players turned up for the Japanese tournament, while around 140 players turned up for the English tournment.

It was great to see many players from all over the country coming over to join the tournaments, and all of the judges, ah, that includes Freedomduo (I think most of you would know who he is) and the staffs had two very busy, yet fun days. I did enjoy myself over the weekend. However, it's kinda disheartening to see there are still many players who still fail to grasp the basic floor rules.

Therefore I'd like to remind those who are reading this post, so that you guys could avoid breaking the rules in the future:

1. The maximum sleeves you can use is up to 2 sleeves, but you are not allowed to compete without sleeves. It means minimum 1 sleeve, maximum 2 sleeves. The back of either sleeves must be opaque. Just to be sure, please use new sleeves before joining the tournament.
2. Do not use different sleeves for you starting Vanguard, every card must be sleeved using the same sleeves.
3. The duration per match is 20 minutes, and if both players fail to finish the match within the limited time, both players will be considered as losing the match. So, please try to get your opponent to be fast, and if you think your opponent is stalling the game, call for a judge before the game ends. Once the game ends, the score is final and unchangeable, period.
4. Playmats are not allowed.
5. Remember to check for your belongings, especially cards from your deck. Once the match has started, and a judge found out that you have less than 50 cards in your deck, you will be disqualified even though you manage to find your card after that.
6. Leave the playing table/area after the matches, it's not worth to get warning or disqualified by the judge for lingering around the playing area. In addition, try not to shout in the playing area too, you might be warned or disqualified for doing so.
7. During matches restrict your communication between you and your opponent. Do not speak to spectator(s) or use your mobile phone during the matches. You will be disqualified for doing so.
8. You are not allowed to take notes during the matches.
9. You may shuffle your opponent's deck, but please gain the permission of your opponent before shuffling. If your opponent does not allow his/her deck to be shuffle, just cut the deck, else have a judge to shuffle. If a judge shuffles the deck, both player are not allowed to cut, nor shuffle the deck anymore. Please do not riffle shuffle or table shuffle you opponent's deck, respect your opponent and his/her deck as if it's yours. Failing to do so, might result in a warning.
10. State your current actions and Phase clearly and in preferably in English.
11. If you have any doubts, stop the game, do not continue playing. If the game continues, and there is an illegal play, judges are still not allowed to reserve any decision.
12. Keep your player tag by your side at all times, failure to produce your player tag during matches will result in disqualification.
13. Please respect the judges, disrespecting the judges will result in disqualification. Besides, decision by the head judge is final and irreversible.

These are few issues you guys should take aware of. I've disqualified and given lots of warnings due to failure to comply the issues I've stated above. It's quite sad to see players who get disqualifies for breaking the rules, but as a judge, I have to be fair at all times. The most important issue is to follow the judges' instructions. During the tournament, Freedom kept instructing players to leave the playing area, but his instructions are not being heeded. As a result, I've given out lots of warnings on failure to follow Freedom's instruction. So, guys, please listen to the instruction given by the judges. It's not worth to be warned by the judges, since two warnings will result in disqualification.

Anyway, here's the winning clan for both Japanese and English WGP:

Japanese
1st: Shadow Paladin
2nd: Nova Grappler
3rd: Link Joker
4th: Oracle Think Tank

English
1st: Narukami
2nd: Neo Nectar
3rd: Aqua Force
4th: Kagero

Congratulations on topping the tournaments, and for those who didn't make it, train harder, you might be the next champion next year.