In this preliminary round, each contestant could use only one move-the one they were proudest of-and the judges would score their performances to decide who advanced to the next round.
With only one chance, the opportunity was precious, and it would directly determine these Coordinators' fates. If anyone performed below their usual standard, they would essentially be saying goodbye to this stage.
It was cruel, and a single mistake could waste an entire year of effort, but this tense format could also fully draw out the potential of Coordinators and their Pokémon, giving the audience satisfying performances.
In short, whoever performed better and showed more dazzling stage presence would advance!
One move decided victory or defeat!
However, with so many contestants, perhaps to speed things up, the performances were divided between two small viewing stands. Assistant judges at those stands would conduct the initial assessment, and based on their scores, the four official judges would discuss and whittle down the field until they finally selected the sixty-four contestants for tomorrow's main tournament.
By this point, all the talk of small viewing stands, main viewing stands, assistant judges, official judges, initial assessments, and final assessments had left many spectators confused about the rules, Ash included. But they did not need to worry about all that. They only had to keep watching the competition and cheer for May!
Finally, before the competition officially began, Lilian introduced the assistant judges for the two small viewing stands.
The assistant judges for the First Small Viewing Stand were three Nurse Joys from different regions. Although people were slightly surprised by this lineup, it made sense when they thought about it.
After all, their scores were the ones the contestants would find most convincing.
As for the assistant judge for the second stage...
As Lilian spoke,