The Pokémon Video Game National Championships are being held throughout Europe during March and April and are open to all players. Winners can earn invitations and Travel Awards to the Pokémon Video Game World Championships in Waikoloa, Hawaii, as well as other cool prizes.

In the press release posted today, it was announced that a rare Shiny Larvitar that knows the move Superpower and is holding a Chople Berry will be distributed at the European National events. Below is a list of some of the European National Championships dates.

• United Kingdom - March 3rd, 2012 - Birmingham, National Exhibition Centre, Hall 11
• Germany - March 10th, 2012 - MESSE ESSEN, Messeeingang Süd, Halle 1A, Norbertstr. 2
• France - March 17th, 2012 - Paris, Espace Champerret, Hall C, 6 rue Jean Oestreicher
Porte de Champerret
• Spain - March 24th, 2012 - Madrid, IFEMA Pabellón 5, Feria de Madrid
• Italy - April 1st, 2012 - CENTRO CONGRESSI MILANOFIORI, Strada 1 - Milanofiori, 20090 ASSAGO (MI)

A promo video for the United Kingdom's National Championships was also released and can be viewed below.

United Kingdom National Championships Promo Video

Press Release - GO SHINY LARVITAR!

A rare Shiny Pokémon confirmed as character distribution at the 2012 Pokémon Video Game National Championships: www.pokemon.co.uk/vgc

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.

Source: http://www.pokemon.co.uk/vgc

I wish they made the Pokémon available on Wifi after the event...