Preview: 2022 Championship Duel - December 3, 2022

It's hard to even fathom, but here we are at the end of the year ready to crown the 2022 Champion!  It all comes down to this - the battles, the back-stabbing, the does not count as an actioning... Duelers had their chance to secure a seat at the most important table of the season for the last eleven months.  Those with the heart, skill, midichlorians, and dare we even say luck, made it past their peers.  One thing is for sure: the Darth Vader trophy, the most coveted hardware in our Dueling league, will be given to a deserving victor.  The night will be...EPIC!

HISTORY OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP

2021 - Rob won with Jango Fett in the Emperor's Throne Room

2020 - Ben H. won with Boba Fett in the Naboo Reactor Pit

2019 - Ian won with Darth Maul in the Emperor's Throne Room

2018 - Ben H. won with Jango Fett on the Kamino Platform
2017 - Austin won with Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Carbon Freezing Chamber
2016 - Curtis won with Mace Windu on the Kamino Platform
2015 - Nathan won with Count Dooku in the Carbon Freezing Chamber
2014 - Ryan won with Boba Fett on the Kamino Platform

MEET THE DUELERS

Unlike our other Duels during the year, the seating order at the Championship is predetermined by the performance of those who earned a spot.  Anyone who won a Duel got an automatic seat.  The remainder of spots were given to the top ranked professional Duelers.  Let's meet the dozen best Duelers of 2022!

Chair #12 - Kevin.  Kevin logged eight Duels in 2022, and had some impressive finishes, none more than his second place at the Imperial March with Qui-Gon Jinn.

Chair #11 - Evan.  Evan played seven times in 2022, and finished in the top five in over half of them (four).  He had third place finishes at both the Valentine's Duel and Duel of the Fates.

Chair #10 - Curtis.  The cantankerous Curtis Dueled in eight matches this year, and managed five top-five finishes.  His best game was A New Hope, where finished second with Jyn Erso.

Chair #9 - Grant D.  Grant only played four Duels this year, but don't sleep on this league legend.  He pulled in a fifth place finish at the May the 4th Be With You Duel.

Chair #8 - Penny.  A second Padawan of Rob's joined the league this year, and made a near immediate impact.  In just her second career Duel, Penny won Thanksdueling! with Anakin Skywalker.

Chair #7 - Jillian.  In one of the craziest moments in league history, Jillian, still just a young teenager, won her debut and only Duel, Twin Sun Slam #1, with Obi-Wan Kenobi!

Chair #6 - Grant H.  This veteran student Dueler pulled off one of the coolest wins of the season.  He won Cad Bane's debut Duel with Cad, the best of Grant's six matches this year.

Chair #5 - Kat.  Kat participated in eight Duels in 2022, but her crowning achievement occurred at the Imperial March.  She won it with Darth Maul.

Chair #4 - Riley E. - It's hard to believe, but Riley played in ten Duels in 2022.  Her four top-three finishes were punctuated with her win at Doubleheader #2.

Chair #3 - Duncan.  Duncan played nine times this year, and only finished below sixth place ONCE!  That tremendous consistency peaked with his A New Hope victory in January.

Chair #2 - Ian.  Ian is just one of two Duelers in 2022 with multiple victories.  He finished first at both Twin Sun Slam #2 and The Fall Brawl.  Not bad for eight Duels played!

Chair #1 - Rob.  Rob tied his own record from 2015 when he won five times in 2022.  He is also the defending champion from the 2021 Championship.

PLUSH POE PICKS THE WINNER:

After another failed pick, there probably isn't even a reason to keep doing these, but it's Christmastime!  Why not offer the gift of a new pick!?  Poe...who you got?

What the...?  The Child?  Grogu?  I guess that means Poe is picking The Mandalorian?  Interesting...

Tomorrow at 7PM we'll find out if he's right!  The 2022 Championship is here!!!